Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Quite the drive to get here - but worth it to include some adjacent hiking. This won't get you to Katahdin - but there are some amazing views from here..! No issues with permits like Baxter State Park, either..!

The main loop is pretty easy to find and is clearly marked. The loop is worth doing, there are lots of stops where you can go for walks. One of the best is at Deasey Ponds There is also the outlook at Katahdin Loop Scenic Overloop but this is actually quite boring and does not have the best of views. The only thing to note is that you are likely to come across huge logging lorries coming the other way, so be prepared to squeeze on to the side of the road, as they have right of way. Just inside the park was a new garden shed which appears to be the new visitor center. There was a friendly ranger here who had the maps of the park and gave us details of where to go. The loop is well worth doing.

Beautiful! If you’re vehicle can handle some rough roads/off roads make sure you don’t miss this drive. It will take you to some remote areas such as, Sandbank Stream camping and picnic area, go a bit further up the old logging road to the Lynx Pond. This is a great place to see birdings. And if you’re lucky a moose. Lots of Ruff Grouse. Enjoy the outdoors.

Hadn't even heard of this place prior to driving by the National Monument signs on the highway. My Honda Civic just barely survived the private logging roads you need to take to get back to the National Monument. While the roads are rough for a sedan, don't expect anything that would challenge an off road vehicle. The beauty is all about the solitude and unspoiled beauty afforded by the site. This is the part that makes it hard for me to recommend because I really don't want people to flock to it as they have with so many other beautiful spots. Part of the joy was the fact we would go more than an hour without hearing anything other than the sounds of the woods. No motors, no planes... just nature. Don't be mislead by the name, there is no specific monument to look at. The monument is the woods themselves. This isn't about scenic vistas or Sunday drives. It's all about enjoying unspoiled nature. If you're looking for some place to park an RV, or for a casual escape during a road trip, then I recommend looking somewhere else. This is for people willing to leave modern conveniences behind to just enjoy the wind through the trees.

The views from the Overlook are amazing but the roads need some work. The road out to the park loop is a private logging road and not maintained for normal vehicles. The loop was slightly better but still a backwoods gravel road. Many large potholes and rocks. I would not recommend a sedan. Bring an SUV with some ground clearance and possibly AWD. The loop from mile 7-16 is mainly just hiking trails no views. Go the Lynx Pond at mile 2 and the Overlook at mile 6 and then turn around and head back out.

The monument has extremely bad roads to and through the park! You need an extremely high clearance vehicle if you even want to ATTEMPT to drive through this park! There's only 2 viewpoints of the "monument" and thats it. It has lots of hiking trails but the actual monument it's named after isn't even in the park! If you want to see Katahdin go to Baxter State Park. The information and visitors center is 1.5 hours away in Millinocket! This is a federally paid park and the roads are atrocious!

You need to drive on dirt logging roads to get to the park which is more dirt roads. The park ranger says to ignore the signs that say "road owner says national park no" It took us over an hour to get from rt 11 to the Loop Road Lookout. The outhouses are nice. If you really want to be away from everything come here.

Great scenic drive and clearly marked trails. Ridiculous amount of mosquitoes in July! Be prepared with the bug spray. Saw lots of wildlife! The IAT runs through here and there is a lean-to, outhouse and designated fire ring for hikers or just walk-in camping. We saw evidence of big cat in the area (probably lynx). No bear boxes by the lean to; if you're hiking I would recommend to use a bear canister.