Openings · last 7 days
7
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 7 site openings here in the last 7 days
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10145539
When Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping reopens
Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
19
Openings · last 90 days
19
Only 19 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Oct 11, 2026 · of 22 monitored sites
Of the 528 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 11, 2026): 183 open for online reservation · 81 reserved · 264 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 22 monitored sites, 21 can be reserved online and 1 are first-come, first-served.
Where the open windows are
65.3% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 183 of 528 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 11, 2026Not open online65.3%
Open site-nights183 / 528
Reserved (of online inventory)81 / 264
Weekday openings95
Weekend openings88
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 95 fall on weekdays and 88 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026September holds the most room. 94 of 286 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 22 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| Lunksoos 1 | 24 |
| Lunksoos 6 | 22 |
| Lunksoos 7 | 22 |
| Lunksoos 3 | 20 |
| Big Seboeis | 19 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
183 open site-nights across 11 sites at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 20 2-night, 13 3-night, 8 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site Lunksoos 1.
All 11 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunksoos 1 | Not recorded | None | 24 | 24 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +12 more |
| Lunksoos 6 | Not recorded | None | 22 | 22 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +10 more |
| Lunksoos 7 | Not recorded | None | 22 | 22 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +10 more |
| Lunksoos 3 | Not recorded | None | 20 | 20 nights | Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +8 more |
| Big Seboeis | Not recorded | None | 19 | 13 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +7 more |
| Lunksoos 2 | Not recorded | None | 19 | 13 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 23, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +7 more |
| Lunksoos 4 | Not recorded | None | 19 | 16 nights | Sep 18, Sep 21, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +7 more |
| Lunksoos 5 | Not recorded | None | 15 | 7 nights | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 6 +3 more |
| Sandbank Stream Site 2 | Not recorded | None | 10 | 3 nights | Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 29, Oct 4, Oct 5, Oct 8, Oct 11 |
| Sandbank Stream Site 3 | Not recorded | None | 7 | 2 nights | Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 7, Oct 8, Oct 11 |
| Sandbank Stream Site 1 | Not recorded | None | 6 | 2 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 25, Oct 4, Oct 7, Oct 8 |
About Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping
Overview
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. Campsites, lean-tos and huts located throughout the monument provide opportunities to stay overnight while hiking, biking, paddling and enjoying other recreational activities.
Recreation
There are many ways visitors can experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Below are a few recommended activities:
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. 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.
Facilities
Campsites, lean-tos and huts are dispersed throughout Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Huts are only open for reservation and stay during the winter season. 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. Campfires may require a permit from the Maine Forest Service .
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 sky. 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 ft tall conglomerate bedrock pillar in the East Branch. Popular hikes include trails on Barnard, Deasey, and Lunksoos Mountains.
Nearby Attractions
Baxter State Park (where Katahdin and the Appalachian Trail's northern terminus are located) is adjacent to the western boundary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Penobscot River Trails
22 monitored sites1 FCFS siteNo hookups17 shadedWaterfrontRiverfrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 20
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. Take exit 244 (Medway) or exit 264 (Sherman) to access Maine Route 11. Once you exit I-95, you will travel on Maine Route 11 to access the monument. If you are southbound on I-95, you can also access the monument from exit 276 (Island Falls). Maine Route 11 is the main access route to the monument. It is also known as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Scenic Byway. North Entrance From Exit 244 (Medway), head west for approximately 0.8 miles towards Medway and turn right onto Route 11 (also called Grindstone Road). If you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River, you have missed the turn for Route 11 north. Continue north on Maine Route 11 to Patten. Turn left onto Maine Route 159 (also called Shin Pond Road). Maine Route 159 continues for approximately 11.6 miles and then becomes Grand Lake Road. Continue on Grand Lake Road for another approximately 12.7 miles, then turn left onto New River Road (also known as Messer Pond Road) to access the North Entrance. From Exit 264 (Sherman), follow signs for Maine Route 11 north towards Patten. In approximately 10 miles, turn left onto Maine Route 159 (also called Shin Pond Road). Maine Route 159 continues for approximately 11.6 miles and then becomes Grand Lake Road. Continue on Grand Lake Road for another approximately 12.7 miles, then turn left onto New River Road (also known as Messer Pond Road) to access the North Entrance. From Exit 276 (Island Falls), proceed west to Patten on Route 159 for approximately 8 miles. At the junction of Maine Route 159 & Maine Route 11, follow the above directions to access the North Entrance by Maine Route 159 and Grand Lake Road. From the intersection of Maine Route 11 & Maine Route 159 in Patten, it is approximately 25 miles (approximately 40 minutes driving time) to the North Entrance. To access the monument, take the second left turn onto New River Road after you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River near Grand Lake Matagamon. New River Road dead-ends at a parking area near Haskell Gate in approximately 4 miles. After October, vehicle traffic ends at North Gate parking area. South Entrance and Katahdin Loop Road From Exit 244 (Medway), head west for approximately 0.8 miles towards Medway and turn right onto Maine Route 11 (also called Grindstone Road). If you cross the East Branch of the Penobscot River, you have missed the turn for Maine Route 11. Follow Maine Route 11 for approximately 20 miles and then turn left onto Swift Brook Road (it is a gravel road). Use caution with this turn as sight distance is limited. The Swift Brook Road will lead you to the Katahdin Loop Road in approximately 10 miles. From Exit 264 (Sherman), follow signs for Maine Route 11. To reach the south entrance and the Katahdin Loop Road, turn left at the next intersection (onto Grindstone Road) to stay on Maine Route 11. In approximately 5 miles continue straight onto the gravel road when the paved road curves left. This gravel road will lead you to the Swift Brook Road and to the Katahdin Loop Road. From Exit 276 (Island Falls), proceed west to Patten on Maine Route 159 for approximately 8 miles. At the junction of Maine Route 159 & Maine Route 11, follow the above directions for access to either the Swift Brook Road or the Katahdin Loop Road. From the intersection of Maine Route 11 & Swift Brook Road in Stacyville, it is approximately 12 miles to the Katahdin Loop Road. Plan your trip by viewing a map of the local area and follow signs within the monument proper. Traveling on Swift Brook Road Use caution when traveling on the Swift Brook Road, which is a gravel road. All gravel roads in the area are shared with logging and equipment trucks. Logging trucks always have the right of way. It is important to drive slowly, keep to the right side of the road, and yield to oncoming trucks. If you are traveling north on Maine Route 11, use caution when making the left turn onto Swift Brook Road as there is limited sight distance. Please be considerate of your speed as you pass the residential area near the intersection. There is no public transportation to the monument. Mobile phone and GPS coverage is spotty and unreliable. There is no public transportation to the monument.
Po Box 446, Patten, ME 04765207-456-6001
BikingBirdingCanoeingCross Country SkiingHikingMountain BikingPaddlingPhotographyPicnickingScenic DriveSnowshoeingWildlife ViewingWinter Sports
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10145539 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10145539 · Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping · Patten ME12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping?
Reservations for Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping are made through Recreation.gov. 183 of 528 tracked site-nights are currently open (34.7%). Campsite Sniper has also detected 19 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping?
Campsite Sniper detected 7 site-date openings at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping in the last 7 days, 19 over 30 days and 19 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping?
13 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site Lunksoos 1. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which month has the most availability at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping?
September 2026, with 94 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 286.
When is the next open date at Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument Camping?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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