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Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, photo 1 of 4

Photo: National Park Service / Jason Gablaski / Public domain · source

Forests

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Stacyville, ME · Maine North Woods, Penobscot CountyFreeFree; no entrance pass required

About

Katahdin Woods and Waters protects about 87,500 acres of Maine's North Woods, and in 2020 DarkSky International certified it an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the first on the eastern seaboard. The Park Service has logged a reading of 21.88 magnitudes per square arcsecond here, Bortle 2 territory, about as dark as the East gets. The viewing spot is Katahdin Overlook, mile 6.4 of the gravel Katahdin Loop Road, where a short driveway climbs to a clearing with picnic tables and a vault toilet. It reopened in 2026 after a rebuild, with a new picnic pavilion. The Milky Way stands over the silhouette of Katahdin, 5,269 feet, with Millinocket Lake below and no town glow. Stargazing notes: the 17-mile Loop Road is one way, rough gravel, posted at 15 mph, and open to vehicles from late May until November 1. No fee and no cell service. Aim for a new moon in July or August and pack for 40s at night.

Highlights

Bortle 2 skyFirst Dark Sky Sanctuary on the eastern seaboardSQM reading of 21.8817-mile one-way gravel Loop RoadRoad open late May to November 1No entrance fee

Getting there

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