There is an impassable collapsed bridge near Big Spring Brook Hut located at the north section of the monument (46.0333633333, -68.7807583333). This area is impassable by foot traffic and bike.
The Loop Road and North Entrance are closed to motorized vehicles for the winter starting 11/4. These areas are accessible by foot, bike, ski, and snowshoe. Restrooms and campsites are accessible but not maintained in the off-season. Learn more below. More
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is located in north central Maine. Drive approximately 1.5 hours north of Bangor, Maine to reach Route 11 (Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway). Route 11 is the main route to the entrances to the park. Take Route 11 to Route 159 and Grand Lake Road to access the North Entrance. Follow Route 11 to Swift Brook Road to enter the South Entrance. Take Route 11 to Route 159 and American Thread Road to access the Seboeis Parcel.
From approximately late May to late October, a visitor contact station is operated in the gateway community of Patten. See "Visitor Centers" below for hours of operation.
Please check road conditions and Loop Road status before you visit.
All Park Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is open year-round. From mid-November to late May, the north entrance and Katahdin Loop Road are closed to wheeled vehicles. Two gates on the Swift Brook Road leading to the southern sections of the monument are managed by a neighboring timber company and may be closed to wheeled vehicles as well from mid-November to late May.
Park Entrance - North Entrance
Closed today
Current Hours (Late October to Late May)
November 4–May 23
Every Day:Closed
The north entrance is typically closed to wheeled vehicle traffic by the end of October. The road usually opens by late May once snow has melted, the road has dried out and downed trees are cleared.
Standard Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
The north entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is reached by turning on Messer Pond Road (also known as New River Road) from Maine Route 159/Grand Lake Road. This entrance is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Late October to Late May
November 4–May 23
Every Day:Closed
The north entrance is typically closed to wheeled vehicle traffic by the end of October. The road usually opens by late May once snow has melted, the road has dried out and downed trees are cleared.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Park Entrance - South Entrance
Closed today
Current Hours (Late October to Late May)
October 31–May 25
Every Day:Closed
The south entrance is typically closed to wheeled vehicles from late October to late May. A neighboring timber management company manages the two gates on Swift Brook Road and determines when to open and close the gates depending on road conditions.
Standard Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
The south entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is reached via Maine Route 11 and Swift Brook Road. This entrance is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October. Swift Brook Road is a private logging road. Two gates across this private logging road leading into the monument are managed by a neighboring timber company that determines when road conditions are appropriate to open the gates for the summer season.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Late October to Late May
October 31–May 25
Every Day:Closed
The south entrance is typically closed to wheeled vehicles from late October to late May. A neighboring timber management company manages the two gates on Swift Brook Road and determines when to open and close the gates depending on road conditions.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Park District - Katahdin Loop Road
Closed today
Current Hours (Late October to Late May)
November 4–May 23
Every Day:Closed
The Loop Road is typically closed to wheeled vehicles from late October to late May. A neighboring timber management company manages the two gates on Swift Brook Road and determines when to open and close the gates depending on road conditions.
Standard Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
The Katahdin Loop Road is typically open to wheeled vehicle traffic from late May-late October. The Loop Road is accessed via Maine Route 11 and Swift Brook Road. Swift Brook Road is a private logging road and a neighboring timber company manages the two gates on the road leading into the monument. The timber company determines when the gates will open and close for the season depending on road conditions. The National Park Service manages the gate to the Katahdin Loop Road.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Late October to Late May
November 4–May 23
Every Day:Closed
The Loop Road is typically closed to wheeled vehicles from late October to late May. A neighboring timber management company manages the two gates on Swift Brook Road and determines when to open and close the gates depending on road conditions.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Northern Maine experiences all four seasons.
Summer temperatures range from 45-90F (7-30C).
Fall temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C). Typically, the first frost is in mid-October and first snowfall begins in November and can continue through April with an average accumulation of 73 inches (185 cm).
Winter temperatures range from 14-35F (-10 - 2C).
Spring temperatures range from 30-70F (-1-21C).
From late May to mid-October, National Park Service staff provide information and trip-planning assistance from a desk located inside the Patten Lumbermen's Museum. Maps and brochures are available, as well as the NPS passport stamp.
Closed today
Current Hours (Winter Hours)
October 15–May 22
Every Day:Closed
Closed for the winter October 15, 2024 to May 22, 2025.
Standard Hours
Sunday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday:Closed
Tuesday-Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Lumbermen's Museum is open from 10 am-4 pm daily from early July to mid-October each year.
Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays with the exception of the following holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
May
May 24–May 31
Sunday and Monday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Tuesday-Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Lumbermen's Museum will be open May 18, 2024 for the Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Festival, May 24-27 and May 31.
June
June 1–June 30
Sunday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday-Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Lumbermen's Museum is open Friday-Sunday in June.
Summer
July 2–October 13
Sunday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday:Closed
Tuesday-Saturday:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10-4 from July 2-October 13.
Winter Hours
October 15–May 22
Every Day:Closed
Closed for the winter October 15, 2024 to May 22, 2025.
Holidays
2025–2026
New Year's Day
January 1, 2026
Closed
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 19, 2026
Closed
Washington's Birthday
February 16, 2026
Closed
Memorial Day
May 26, 2025
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Juneteenth National Independence Day
June 19, 2025
Closed
Independence Day
July 4, 2025
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Labor Day
September 1, 2025
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Columbus Day
October 13, 2025
10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Veterans Day
November 11, 2025
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is not available.
There is very limited cellular data access and no public Wi-Fi at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Please prepare ahead by downloading the NPS App and make sure to save it for offline use. It is also recommended to bring a local area map.
207-456-6001
Staff are generally available to answer the phone between 8 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Messages are checked in the morning on weekends and intermittently throughout the day when staff are available.
