National Park Service planners and Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument are combining efforts throughout May to market the monument’s vast outdoor resources and gather public input on its future direction.
Through a series of virtual and in-person events and public meetings, park service staff and Friends will be on the road connecting with Mainers to learn more about how they envision the future of the rugged northern Maine wilderness region.
The monument is one of the largest tracts of national wildlands, with 87,563 acres encompassing glacially sculpted terrain, diverse ecosystems, internationally recognized dark skies and lands significant to the Wabanaki tribes. The public sessions will allow the community to learn more about what the monument offers and help set the park service’s priorities for the next decade.
From Wednesday through May 6, the general public and local community can meet with park service staff to identify key issues, opportunities and potential management strategies. Others can drop by one of four Maine breweries from May 7-28 to share pizza and obtain information from Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters about visiting the vast protected landscape.
The goal of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters is to raise awareness of the region as a destination and of the group’s work as a philanthropic partner to the park service, said Brian Hinrichs, the friends group’s executive director.
“We often hear, ‘I’ve been meaning to visit but just haven’t yet,’ so we want to be available to answer questions, share trip planning advice, and highlight resources in local communities,” he said. “We want to take away some of the mystery around planning a trip to the monument.”
In the 10 years since President Barack Obama designated the land a national monument, the Trump administration has slashed park service budgets while more travelers are seeking the untouched wilderness the monument offers, making public feedback even more important, according to the park service.
The monument offers opportunities for hiking, skiing, paddling, wildlife viewing and learning about the region’s natural and cultural history, Hinrichs said.
It features campsites, 30 miles of hiking on the International Appalachian Trail, a trail network that connects Maine to Canada, and three rivers offering paddling and fishing. In the winter, there are miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails.
Located within the homeland of the Penobscot Nation, Katahdin Woods & Waters comprises 13 parcels donated by Elliotsville Plantation Inc. and Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt’s Bees. The region is linked with Wabanaki culture, ceremonies, oral traditions, language, history and Indigenous stewardship.
The $31 million visitor center, Tekαkαpimək, opened in 2025 and reflects Wabanaki artistry. Funded privately through a capital campaign by Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, it was donated to the American people and is operated by the National Park Service.
Walking trails with stone pathways through the woods lead to the center on Lookout
Mountain. Inside, Wabanaki artisans created handcrafted floor tiles, wall carvings and woven ceilings. There are interpretative stations, educational videos and views of Katahdin.
The brewery stops will be casual events, with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters staff available to review maps and answer questions about the monument and programs, Hinrichs said.
“We’ll have food — the pizza is on us — folks can enjoy the local breweries’ beverage offerings, and about midway through, we’ll make a few remarks to share some updates,” Hinrichs said. “At our Ellsworth stop, we’ll be joined by Friends of Acadia as well.”
The meetings with park service staff will help set the future direction of the monument and the comprehensive management plan.
A general management plan provides park service staff with a long‑term management framework, guiding decisions related to resource stewardship, visitor use and experiences, access and facilities, the park service said.
Public input at this early stage will help form the best strategies for the care of the monument’s ecosystems, cultural resources, dark skies and recreational opportunities to serve both current and future generations, according to a National Park Service northeast region statement.
Officials are seeking public views on the emerging management vision; desired conditions for resources; visitor experiences; types and intensities of development within the monument; zoning approaches; what matters most in different parts of the monument; opportunities; concerns; and ideas.
Planners have included a long list of questions they would like the public to answer including: “What activities, wayfinding tools, interpretive/educational material, and services would make you feel more welcome, safe, or satisfied with your experience in the monument?”
The virtual park service public meetings are slated from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The in-person public meetings are from 5:50-7:30 p.m. in Millinocket. For details, see the meeting notice page, where people can also enter comments and questions through May 29.
The Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters meetups, dubbed “Membership May,” are for nonmembers and members alike. Advance registration is required, Hinrichs said.
The stops include: Maine Beer Co., 525 U.S. Route 1 in Freeport, from 4:30-6 p.m. on May 7; Fogtown Brewing Co., 25 Pine St. in Ellsworth, from 4:30-6 p.m. on May 11; Knife Edge Brewing, 200 Katahdin View in Millinocket, from 4:30-6 p.m. on May 21; and Katahdin Brew Works, 10 Katahdin St. in Patten, from 4:30-6 p.m. on May 28.
