Cabin rental · NPS · Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument · Patten, ME

Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in Maine’s north woods. Katahdin Woods and Waters protects part of an extraordinary natural and cultural landscape: the mountains, woods, and waters where the East Branch of the Penobscot River and its tributaries, including the Wassataquoik Stream and the Seboeis River, run freely. Huts located in the north end of the monument provide opportunities to stay overnight while cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and enjoying other recreational activities.

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A brown wood cabin with green trim surrounded by snow.A brown wood cabin with a porch is surrounded by snow and evergreen trees.A brown wood cabin with green trim surrounded by snow.A narrow wooden building with a window and a small door is the pit toilet. The building is surrounded by evergreen trees and snow.
Photos courtesy of NPS / REBECCA WANG · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Cabins2
The 2 cabins here book on Recreation.gov. The booking page shows which dates are open and how far ahead they release. How the booking window works

Site guide

2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
Haskell HutPartialNo / No8 / –Yes
Big Spring Brook HutPartialNo / No6 / –Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Amenities & rules

CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesRecreation Fee: $0. Huts are free. Huts are only available during the winter season. Reservation Fee: $8 when booked online or $9 through the contact center at (877) 444-6777 (toll free) or (606) 515-6777 (international), open 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (Eastern Time Zone).
Dark sky1.7 miles from Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary

Huts are only open for stays during the winter season and require reservations. Campsites, lean-tos and huts are dispersed throughout Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. All roads within the monument are unpaved. Some sites can only be reached by hiking, biking, paddling, skiing or snowshoeing. There are no flush toilets within the monument boundaries. Campsites may have vault or pit toilets; other sites require following Leave No Trace practices for human waste. Most campsites have picnic tables and a stone or metal fire ring. Brown metal food storage lockers, also known as bear boxes, are available in some campsites. All odorous items must be stored in a bear-resistant canister or in a contained vehicle if there is no food locker available.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts10°20°30°40°50°60°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 12.7°F averageFebruary: 15.6°F averageMarch: 25.1°F averageApril: 38.2°F averageMay: 51.2°F averageJune: 60.4°F averageJuly: 65.7°F averageAugust: 64.3°F averageSeptember: 56.3°F averageOctober: 44.1°F averageNovember: 32.7°F averageDecember: 20.9°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Patten 2, 11 miles from the recreation area point at 820 feet, station USC00176594 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in north central Maine, approximately a 2-hour drive northwest of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor and 1.5-hour drive north of Bangor, Maine. Both areas are served by regional airports. You can access all parts of the monument from I-95.

Nearest townPatten, Maine
AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 45.96° N, 68.71° W. Call the office before you drive.

Charges and cancellations

The reservation fee is non-refundable. Please cancel your reservation if you do not plan to use it. You may cancel or modify your reservation online up to one day prior to your reservation start date.

Explore

Natural features

  • The East Branch of the Penobscot River flows all the way through the monument, about 25 miles from north to south. The first 10 miles drops over 200ft, creating a series of waterfalls and rapids (Stair Falls, Haskell Rock Pitch, Pond Pitch, Grand Pitch, the Hulling Machine, and Bowlin Falls).
  • The Seboeis River and Wassataquoik Stream also create scenic viewpoints in the monument, such as Orin Falls.
  • Katahdin Woods and Waters is known for its dark skies. In 2020 it was certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.
  • Forest, waterways, and wetlands provide critical habitat and corridors for plants and wildlife, including threatened species such as Atlantic salmon, Canada lynx, and rare mussels and butterflies.
  • Geological formations are throughout the monument. Haskell Rock is a 20-foot tall conglomerate bedrock pillar in the East Branch. Popular hikes include trails on Barnard, Deasey, and Lunksoos Mountains.

Recreation

  • There are many ways visitors can experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Below are a few recommended activities:
  • Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter: The monument provides a limited area of groomed cross-country trails at the North Gate for visitors to use.
  • Hiking: Choose a hike that meets your abilities to observe the biodiversity of the monument.
  • Biking: Bike on historic logging roads (current and former) within the monument that display signs of logging activity that dates back as early as the 1800s.
  • Camping: Sleep under the stars. Katahdin Woods and Waters is an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first to be certified in the state of Maine and in New England.
  • Paddling: Paddlers can experience the scenic hydraulic features that are ecologically and culturally significant within the monument. The streams and rivers within the monument provide important habitat for spawning and rearing federally endangered Atlantic salmon.
  • Wildlife watching and birding: The monument provides a landscape for a wide variety of wildlife. Birds can be seen and heard year-round. Pollinators, reptiles, and amphibians are most active during the spring and summer months. However, large mammals like moose, black bear, and Canada lynx are often what visitors have their cameras ready for.
  • Fishing: Anglers enjoy catching brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, as well as smallmouth and largemouth bass at the monument.
  • Sight seeing: Visitors often enjoy the views of Katahdin (located in Baxter State Park ) and the scenic waterways at the monument.
  • Snowmobiling and hunting in designated areas: Snowmobiling and hunting are only allowed in specifically designated areas of the monument.

Nearby

Baxter State Park (where Katahdin and the A.T. are located) is adjacent to the western boundary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

Guidebooks for Maine

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • AMC's best day hikes along the Maine Coast
    Carey Michael Kish, 2024
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Dog Friendly Hikes in Maine
    Aislinn Sarnacki, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Lonely Planet Maine and Acadia National Park
    2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

Sites at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

Recreation Fee: $0. Huts are free. Huts are only available during the winter season.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts have?

2 sites, including 2 cabins.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

There are no flush toilets within the monument boundaries.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts good for stargazing?

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary, is 1.7 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.

Source: DarkSky International

What is there to do at Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

There are many ways visitors can experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Below are a few recommended activities: The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts?

Patten, Maine. Baxter State Park (where Katahdin and the A.T.

Source: Getting there

Which national park is Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts in?

Katahdin Woods And Waters National Monument Huts is a Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument