Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Things To Do Near Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

When you visit Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, one of the main things you will want to do is hike the wilderness and look for wildlife. Make sure to bring your binoculars so that you can see the animals up close from a safe distance. There are waterfalls throughout the area to view, and anglers can toss their line into one of the many waterways. There are some white water rapids at the monument that paddlers will enjoy and calmer water that is ideal for fishing and swimming. There are also scenic drives.

Hiking Trails

• Penobscot River Trail

  The Penobscot River Trail is good for hikers of any level of skill. The trail is a loop located near a river, so you can enjoy the scenery as you walk. In the spring, make sure to check out the wildflowers along the trail as you hike.

  Location

  2540 Grindstone Road, Stacyville, ME 04777

  Length

  15.7 Miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Cranberry Pond Trail

  The Cranberry Pond Trail is a beautiful out-and-back trail that passes by three relatively large ponds. These are great bodies of water for fishing, and the trail is pretty flat, so hiking it is simple. This is a good trail to attempt if you are traveling with children. 

  Location

  Baxter Park Road, Millinocket, ME 04462

  Length

  3.1 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Mount Katahdin and Hamlin Peak Loop

  This trail loops around the area and offers views from the peaks of the tallest mountains in Maine. The hike is not designed for inexperienced hikers, but the views you will see are amazing and well worth the effort. The trail is great for bird watching from March until October as well.

  Location

  Millinocket, ME 04462

  Length

  10.9 miles

  Intensity

  Hard

Sightseeing

• Baxter State Park

  Baxter State Park is right next door to Katahdin Woods and Water National Monument. The park has 209,644 acres of land that you can explore. If you like to hike, there are more than 215 miles of trails. Trails that go up Katahdin require a strenuous elevation climb of more than 4,000 feet. 

  Location

  Millinocket, ME 04462

• Maine Quest Adventures

  Maine Quest Adventures will create unique adventures to help you have a true Maine experience during your visit. You can take fishing, canoe, or kayaking trips on the water. You can also take moose tours and wildlife safaris on land to see a variety of wildlife during your visit.

  Location

  2062 Medway Road, Medway, ME 04460

• Ambajejus Boom House

  The Ambajejus Boom House is a historical building along the Penobscot River that serves as a museum to teach visitors about Maine's logging and river driving heritage. This house is only accessible by boat. The building was used as housing until 1971, but now it's preserved to give you an impression of how the residents lived.

  Location

  Fire Road 23A, Millinocket, ME 04462

Museums

• Patten Lumbermen's Museum

  The Patten Lumbermen's Museum will teach you about logging history in this area of Maine. You will hear stories about the river drivers and their life in a remote logging camp. Check the museum's calendar to see if any events are occurring during your visit.

  Location

  16 Shin Pond Road, Patten, ME 04765

• Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum

  The Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum was founded in 1938. There are several collections in the museum that are used to preserve artifacts from specific events. For example, the Ricker Room preserves artifacts and memories from former students who attended Ricker College. The Military Room preserves several exhibits from wars like the Korean War, the Civil War, WWI, and WWII. There are several other collections that you can explore as well.

  Location

  White Memorial Building, 109 Main St., Houlton, ME 04730

• Oakfield Railroad Museum

  The Oakfield Railroad Museum is located inside of an old depot that is no longer used. Inside, you will be able to see old signal lanterns, maps, vintage signs, motor cars, a C-66 caboose, and telegraph equipment. There are also hundreds of photographs on display in the station that you can look at to see more about the depot's history.

  Location

  Station St., Oakfield, ME 04763

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• North Woods Trading Post

  The North Woods Trading Post has a bit of everything to offer visitors to the area. They sell hiking equipment, fishing gear, and camping gear if you need something to help you explore the outdoors better during your RV trip. They also have wine, clothing, and souvenirs that you can take home with you.

  Location

  1605 Baxter State Park Road, Millinocket, ME 04462

• Rideout's AG Market

  Rideout's AG Market is a relatively small grocery store with food if you want to cook in your RV or at your campsite. They have drinks as well if you need to grab some extra to stay hydrated during your hikes. They also sell bandages and first aid materials if you need them.

  Location

  116 Somerset St., Millinocket, ME 04462

• Brenda's Restaurant

  Brenda's Restaurant is a place where you can easily go to get a nice warm breakfast. They serve pancakes, omelets, and more all day. They also serve meals for lunch and dinner. 

  Location

  ME-158, Sherman, ME 04776

• Hang Wong

  Hang Wong is a Chinese restaurant that always uses fresh ingredients for the meals they create. They have a menu that you can order from all day and a discounted menu that is only available at lunchtime. You can get all of your favorite Chinese dishes at this restaurant, like moo shu pork, kung pao chicken, shrimp lo mein, and pork egg foo young. 

  Location

  973 Central St., Millinocket, ME 04462

How To Get To Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

From Bangor, ME, take I-95 N until you reach Medway. From there, you will travel on ME-157 W for about 25 miles. Then, turn right onto Madden Road, and follow it to Hauling Road 1, where you will turn right. This road will lead you directly to the national monument.

Address

Hauling Road 1, Millinocket, ME 04462

Fee: Entry fee $0

RVing is a fantastic way to explore national sites like this one. While you are here, you can enjoy hiking through the wilderness, traversing white water rapids, fishing from a boat, or watching the stars at night. Animals are plentiful in this untouched wilderness, so you can easily see bears, moose, and even river otters. Since you are traveling in an RV, you can also visit Baxter State Park and Acadia National Park while you are in the area.