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In the winter, roads and trails past the north entrance gate are groomed for skiing and snowshoeing as conditions permit.
NPS / R.Wang
Experience Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the winter!
Grooming operations will generally begin in mid-January and lasts through mid March (depending on snow conditions). Winter recreation trails at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument are maintained by NPS maintenance staff. After winter storms, trails will be attended to when possible. Safety is our priority!
Things to know about winter trails:
The parking lot at the North Gate is plowed.
The vault toilets in the monument are open for use.
Visitors can access the park by foot, snowshoe, or ski.
Ski trails are typically groomed from mid-January to mid-March. Trails from the North Gate to Big Spring Brook Hut are groomed.
Dogs are permitted on leash, but please try to avoid the ski tracks.
Snowshoeing is encouraged. Stay to one side of the groomed trails and avoid crossing into the set ski tracks.
To help plan your trip, download the NPS App onto your mobile devices and make Katahdin Woods and Waters available for offline use. The NPS App is currently available for iOS- and Android-powered devices. It can be downloaded for free through the App Store and Google Play.
Current Conditions:
Updated on January 27, 2026 - Trails are cleared of downed trees on the way to Haskell and Big Spring Brook Huts. Snow levels vary depending on amount of exposure to wind. Trail grooming will continue as snowfall and weather conditions require. Check local weather and latest snowfall before visiting. Recent deep freezes and high winds may contribute to variable conditions. See below for updates on specific trails. Find a winter map here.
Trail Name
Length
Reported Conditions
New River Road
3.5 miles one-way, 7 miles round-trip.
01/21/2026: Trail groomed on 1/21. Double track trail. Windy weather may impact these conditions and create drifts.
East Branch Rd Loop
3.4 miles round-trip
01/21/2026: Trail groomed on 1/21. Double track trail around the loop. Windy weather may impact these conditions and create drifts.
North Gate to Oxbow Picnic Site
1.7 miles one-way, 3.4 miles round-trip
01/21/2026: Trail groomed on 1/21. Double track trail. Windy weather may impact these conditions and create drifts.
Stair Falls Trail
0.5 miles (IAT to Stair Falls)
01/28/2026: Trail groomed on 1/28. Packed corduroy from top to base of trail. Windy weather may impact these conditions and create drifts.
North Gate to Haskell & Big Spring Brook Hut
4.8 miles one-way to Haskell Hut.
9 miles one-way to Big Spring Brook Hut.
01/28/2026: Trail groomed on 1/28. Skate track trail from parking lot gate to Haskell Hut. Skate track from Haskell to Big Spring Brook Hut groomed 1/21. Windy weather may impact these conditions and create drifts.
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.
