Winter Camping

Name: Big Spring Brook Hut
Telephone: 207-456-6001

A small wooden cabin on a blue sky day surrounded by thick snow. The sun glares agains the windows with pairs of cross country skis standing outside. — Cross country skiing and/or snowshoeing to Haskell Hut is an activity that visitors enjoy during the winter.
Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters / Sam Deeran

In the winter, people often ski or snowshoe to Grand Pitch Lean-to or Haskell and Big Spring Brook Huts. Although all campsites and lean-tos at Katahdin Woods and Waters are available year-round, it is important to note that the only road that remains open to vehicle access in the winter (starting as early as the end of October) is the New River Road. Visitors are only able to drive as far as the parking area just past the north gate by vehicle before they begin their winter activities.

The parking area near the North Gate at New River Road is plowed during the winter. Please use caution and expect snow and ice when driving within the monument.

Camping in the Winter

Walk-in / First-come, First-served Sites:

Walk-in primitive tent sites at Upper East Branch
Walk-in primitive tent site at Haskell Deadwater
Walk-in lean-to at Grand Pitch
Walk-in lean-to at Lunksoos Mountain

* Overnight parking for the sites above is available at the north entrance.

Required Reservations Sites:

Reservations are required for Haskell Hut.
Reservations are required for Big Spring Brook Hut.

*Reservations will open on December 9, 2024 on Recreation.gov for the 2025 winter season. The huts will be available for reservations from mid-January to mid-March.

Camping Guidelines

Campers must be prepared for extreme weather conditions and must be self-sufficient.
There is no potable water at the campsites, lean-tos, and huts.
Camping is permitted only at designated campsites.
Campsites (including huts) are carry in/carry out! Trash, food scraps, and paper items must be collected, bagged, and carried out of the monument. Follow Leave No Trace principles.
Campfires must be in designated areas and in established fire rings. Bringing in firewood is prohibited. Dead and down wood may be gathered in areas adjacent to the campsites for campfires.

Winter Camping Safety

For those looking to snow-shoe or ski to a campsite during the winter months, it is important to understand that dangers do exist at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and even small problems can become deadly if winter users are not prepared. Use common sense and caution when planning a trip. Winter weather and snow conditions can change rapidly.

Choose a reasonable route—know your limitations. Keep in mind your physical condition and winter travel experience
In winter, the consequences of an unplanned night out are more severe, so it is even more important to tell someone responsible where you are going and when you plan to return. Don't go out alone unless you are very experienced.
Group dynamics are even more important in winter. Do not separate from your group. Watch out for signs of hypothermia, exhaustion, or dehydration in others as well as yourself. Make decisions based on the weakest party member.
Prevent hypothermia by managing clothing as needed. Take off a jacket before getting sweaty; warm up your fingers before they are too stiff to work a zipper. Dry winter air means you need more water to stay hydrated—don’t forget to drink because it’s cold out.
Carry and know how to use a map and compass (even if you have GPS). Most winter travel is cross-country travel; the trails are covered with snow. Make sure your navigational skills are up to the challenge. Even following the marked ski trails in the park requires care and attention in new snow, at night, or in stormy conditions.
Wear or carry a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, warm jacket and raingear (both jacket & pants).
Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Wear proper clothing (no cotton). Synthetic or wool clothing keeps you warm when wet and will help keep you alive.
Carry emergency equipment, such as a signal mirror, whistle, waterproof matches, emergency space blanket, and a flashlight/headlamp (with extra batteries).
Be prepared to spend a night out if necessary.
Drink plenty of water (and carry extra). There is no potable water in the monument.
Eat and carry high energy food.
Plan for the unexpected. A foot of new, heavy snow can drastically affect the speed one can travel, make route finding more difficult, and greatly increasing the avalanche hazard.

Closed

Big Spring Brook Hut

Basic Information

A beautiful log cabin tucked away in the heart of the forest of Katahdin Woods and Waters NM. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov. Plan for primitive camping experience by packing in your own essentials, such as a sleeping surface, sleeping bag, and a camp stove! This hut is only opened for camping during the winter.

Park at the North Gate and cross-country ski or snowshoe 9.15 miles to Big Spring Brook Hut. It is a great place to keep warm, find solitude, and enjoy this winter wonderland!

TOTAL SITES: 1

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 1

Group: 1

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Closed today

Every Day:Closed

A cabin with bunks, a table, woodstove, kitchen area, outhouse, and woodshed filled with firewood.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Winter Hours

January 17–March 16

Every Day:Open 24 hours

Haskell Hut is typically available for overnight reservations from mid-January to mid-March.

Holidays

2025–2026

Holiday	Date	Hours
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Open 24 hours
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Open 24 hours

Side view of a log cabin in the woods with snow on the ground.

Kitchen area with a counter, cabinets, and sink. A door and windows bring light into the hut.

A black wood stove and dried kindling and logs ready for visitors inside the hut.

Wooden dining table with card games and green bunk beds behind. Kitchen is in the background

Close up of kitchen use procedures posted inside the hut with a plastic wash bin for visitor use.

Plastic tubs and a silver pot on a silver industrial kitchen table sit ready for visitors to use.

A zoomed in image of metal pots and pans in a blue tote.

A wooden outhouse with a door in the woods

Side view of a log cabin in the woods with snow on the ground. — Big Spring Brook Hut in the winter.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Kitchen area with a counter, cabinets, and sink. A door and windows bring light into the hut. — Big Spring Brook Hut kitchen area.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A black wood stove and dried kindling and logs ready for visitors inside the hut. — Use the wood stove in the hut to stay warm during the cold winter.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Wooden dining table with card games and green bunk beds behind. Kitchen is in the background — Enjoy a meal and play some games next to the wood stove during the cold winter. Games are provided in the huts for visitor use.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Close up of kitchen use procedures posted inside the hut with a plastic wash bin for visitor use. — Please follow the principles of Leave No Trace and keep all liquids out of the sink.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Plastic tubs and a silver pot on a silver industrial kitchen table sit ready for visitors to use. — The hut is supplied with cookware for public use. Please return items back in their original storage before leaving.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A zoomed in image of metal pots and pans in a blue tote. — Pots and pans are provided for use. They are located in the blue tote in the kitchen space. Please clean and dry everything before leaving the huts.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A wooden outhouse with a door in the woods — Toilet facilities at Big Spring Brook Hut
NPS / Gin Majka

ADA Information - Remote backcountry cabin reached by foot, bicycle, skiing or snowshoeing. There are five steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet.

Wheelchair Access - Remote backcountry cabin with five steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet. Ground surface near cabin is uneven and covered with vegetation.

RV & Trailer Information - No vehicles. Backcountry location.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a primitive camping area.

Closed

Haskell Hut

Basic Information

A small log cabin on a hill with a beautiful view of Haskell Deadwater. Here, you can enjoy the sounds and sights of the woods and the waters. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov and can be reserved by groups of up to 8 people. Camping in the hut is only available in the winter. The hut is reached by cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
This is a primitive camping experience. Remember to pack in essentials (sleeping surface, sleeping bag, cook stove) and follow Leave No Trace principles.

TOTAL SITES: 1

Electric Hookups: 0

RV Only: 0

Tent Only: 0

Walk to/Boat to: 1

Group: 1

Horse: 0

Other: 0

Closed today

Every Day:Closed

Available for overnight reservations during the winter.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Winter Hours

January 17–March 16

Every Day:Open 24 hours

Haskell Hut is typically available for overnight reservations from mid-January to mid-March.

Holidays

2025–2026

Holiday	Date	Hours
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.	January 19, 2026	Open 24 hours
Washington's Birthday	February 16, 2026	Open 24 hours

A log cabin on a snowy hill. Evergreen trees frame the back for the cabin.

A snowy trail leads to a wooden pit toilet tucked in the woods.

A close up of a square raised wooden platform intended for sleeping. Board games stored next to it.

A close up photo of metal pots and pans for use. Stored inside a blue plastic tub.

Kitchen countertop and sink with a scenic winter view outside the window.

2 wooden square raised sleeping surfaces inside a log cabin

Woodstove in the middle of a log cabin. Wood stacked for use against the wall and wood bunks behind.

Entry to the wooden hut. A open doorway divides up sleeping space and dining space.

A log cabin on a snowy hill. Evergreen trees frame the back for the cabin. — Welcome to Haskell Hut in the winter! Reserve to stay at this scenic site.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A snowy trail leads to a wooden pit toilet tucked in the woods. — There is a pit toilet available for use outside, detached from the cabin.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A close up of a square raised wooden platform intended for sleeping. Board games stored next to it. — Stay warm inside the hut during wintertime and enjoy provided board games!
NPS / Rebecca Wang

A close up photo of metal pots and pans for use. Stored inside a blue plastic tub. — Pots and pans are stored inside a blue plastic tub for visitor use.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Kitchen countertop and sink with a scenic winter view outside the window. — Enjoy the views of Haskell Deadwater as you prepare your meal. Please keep all liquids out of the sink.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

2 wooden square raised sleeping surfaces inside a log cabin — Sleep on raised wooden sleeping surfaces in the hut. Bring your own bedding!
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Woodstove in the middle of a log cabin. Wood stacked for use against the wall and wood bunks behind. — The wood stove is a great source of heat for the hut during frigid winter nights.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

Entry to the wooden hut. A open doorway divides up sleeping space and dining space. — A large map and dining table greet you at the entrance of the hut.
NPS / Rebecca Wang

ADA Information - Remote backcountry cabin reached by foot, bicycle, skiing or snowshoeing. There are three steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet.

Wheelchair Access - Remote backcountry cabin with three steps to enter the cabin. Small step up to enter the pit toilet. Area in front of the cabin is grassy.

RV & Trailer Information - No vehicles.

RV Allowed - No

Trailer Allowed - No

Classification - This campground is a primitive camping area.

Last updated: November 20, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 446
Patten, ME 04765

Phone:

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.

Alerts In Effect

Danger

Impassable Bridge Near Big Spring Brook Hut

Park Closures

Loop Road and North Entrance Seasonal Closures

Winter Camping

Camping in the Winter