Written by Elise Goplerud, Education Coordinator
If you only have one day to soak up fall in the northern Katahdin region, you’ll want it to be filled with the season’s essentials: crisp foliage, beautiful scenery, and good food to keep you fueled along the way.
Earlier this September, I set out to design a day trip that balances flavor, foliage, and falls, while showcasing the best of the north end of the Katahdin region. You can’t see it all in one go, but this itinerary offers a sampling of what makes fall here special.
Morning: Farmstand Finds & Local Flavor
I pulled off the highway in Sherman around 9 a.m., grabbed gas at the Citgo, and queued up my favorite autumn playlist (thank you, Spotify’s Scarf Season). My first stop was an Amish farm stand on the way to Patten. The woman running it chatted with me about her day’s harvest and the dinner she was preparing for the men who I had seen working in the fields with their horses. I left with fresh cookies in hand—a perfect snack for the adventure ahead.
In Patten, I made a necessary stop at Morning Rush Cafe. On a crisp fall morning, there’s nothing better than one of Ben Rush’s chai lattes. I also picked up a breakfast burrito that, while hard to describe exactly, is some magical combination of egg, sausage, cheese, and sauce.
Mid-Morning: Scenic Drive into the Monument
From Patten, I wound my way down Shin Pond Road, a rolling, twisting stretch that shows off the best of autumn color. This year, the leaves are beginning to turn early. The birches and beeches are showing more muted tones thanks to summer’s drought, but the maples (the real stars of the show) are vibrant and healthy. I suspect peak foliage will arrive a bit earlier than usual, likely late September. Keep an eye on the Maine Fall Foliage Reports for weekly updates.
Around 10 a.m., I turned onto the dirt road into the North Section of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, where the narrow dirt road creates a tunnel that in a couple weeks will be filled with color- a fitting gateway into the monument. By 10:15, I was at the Haskell Gate with my bike unloaded, ready for the ride to Grand Pitch. Note: although I biked, this is also an excellent hike!
Adventure: Biking to Grand Pitch
The old logging road from Haskell Gate to Grand Pitch is closed to vehicles, but it’s perfect for beginner gravel biking or a day hike.
Haskell Hut & Rock: Fifteen minutes in, I paused to watch otters near the hut before biking down to see Haskell Rock—a massive conglomerate stone with deep geologic and logging history.
Pond Pitch: Another cascade and campsite along the river, where the portage trail reminds you of the human history of this landscape.
Grand Pitch: By noon, I reached Grand Pitch, one of the Monument’s most spectacular waterfalls. Even with lower flow from the dry summer, the falls were a powerful sight. You can hear the same thunder of the East Branch that has echoed for generations. Long before it was a National Monument, this river was a vital travel route for the Penobscot people. I enjoyed those farm stand cookies from earlier by the river before heading back.
At 1:15, I was back at the trailhead—tired, content, and ready for lunch.
Afternoon: Burgers, Waterfalls & Ice Cream
Lunch was at Matagamon Wilderness Campground, where the homemade bear-branded buns make their burgers extra special. While waiting, I browsed the gift shop, admired the taxidermy, and said hello to the campground’s very friendly yellow labs.
On the drive back, I stopped for a short hike to Shin Brook Falls. The signage is tricky, so download directions ahead of time, but the payoff is huge: a magnificent waterfall tucked into the woods. It’s a short, relatively flat walk, but if you want the best view, be ready for a steep scramble down (and back up). A word of caution- poison ivy grows near the base of the waterfall, so step carefully and stay on the trail.
No perfect fall day ends without ice cream, so I wrapped things up at Shin Pond Village. Their scoops always hit the spot and I love a fall day that starts chilly and ends warm. Shin Pond Village is also an excellent lunch spot!
Late Afternoon: Back Home
By 3:45, I was back on the highway after a seven-hour loop through some of Maine’s most beautiful landscapes. The combination of local food, autumn colors, and Monument solitude made for a perfect fall day trip.
Of course, this itinerary only scratches the surface—there are countless other trails, lakes, and local spots to explore in the Katahdin region (get some ideas here). But if you’ve got just one day, this mix of flavor and foliage is hard to beat.
Safety Notes for Fall Adventures
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters and the surrounding region in the fall comes with a few important reminders:
- Wear blaze orange during hunting season for your safety.
Download maps ahead of time or carry a DeLorme Gazetteer—cell service is spotty at best and non-existent most of the time.- Watch for moose, especially during the rut, when they’re more active and unpredictable.
- Be cautious around logging trucks on local roads.
- Check nps.gov/kaww for the latest monument updates.
Foliage, Food and Falls: A Fall Day Trip Itinerary in Katahdin Woods & Waters
Posted: September 19, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
Written by Elise Goplerud, Education CoordinatorEarlier this September, I set out to design a day trip that balances flavor, foliage, and falls, while showcasing the best of the north end of the Katahdin region. You can’t see it all in one go, but this itinerary offers a sampling of what makes fall here special.
Morning: Farmstand Finds & Local Flavor
I pulled off the highway in Sherman around 9 a.m., grabbed gas at the Citgo, and queued up my favorite autumn playlist (thank you, Spotify’s Scarf Season). My first stop was an Amish farm stand on the way to Patten. The woman running it chatted with me about her day’s harvest and the dinner she was preparing for the men who I had seen working in the fields with their horses. I left with fresh cookies in hand—a perfect snack for the adventure ahead.
In Patten, I made a necessary stop at Morning Rush Cafe. On a crisp fall morning, there’s nothing better than one of Ben Rush’s chai lattes. I also picked up a breakfast burrito that, while hard to describe exactly, is some magical combination of egg, sausage, cheese, and sauce.
Mid-Morning: Scenic Drive into the Monument
Adventure: Biking to Grand Pitch
The old logging road from Haskell Gate to Grand Pitch is closed to vehicles, but it’s perfect for beginner gravel biking or a day hike.
Haskell Hut & Rock: Fifteen minutes in, I paused to watch otters near the hut before biking down to see Haskell Rock—a massive conglomerate stone with deep geologic and logging history.
Pond Pitch: Another cascade and campsite along the river, where the portage trail reminds you of the human history of this landscape.
Grand Pitch: By noon, I reached Grand Pitch, one of the Monument’s most spectacular waterfalls. Even with lower flow from the dry summer, the falls were a powerful sight. You can hear the same thunder of the East Branch that has echoed for generations. Long before it was a National Monument, this river was a vital travel route for the Penobscot people. I enjoyed those farm stand cookies from earlier by the river before heading back.
At 1:15, I was back at the trailhead—tired, content, and ready for lunch.
Afternoon: Burgers, Waterfalls & Ice Cream
Lunch was at Matagamon Wilderness Campground, where the homemade bear-branded buns make their burgers extra special. While waiting, I browsed the gift shop, admired the taxidermy, and said hello to the campground’s very friendly yellow labs.
No perfect fall day ends without ice cream, so I wrapped things up at Shin Pond Village. Their scoops always hit the spot and I love a fall day that starts chilly and ends warm. Shin Pond Village is also an excellent lunch spot!
By 3:45, I was back on the highway after a seven-hour loop through some of Maine’s most beautiful landscapes. The combination of local food, autumn colors, and Monument solitude made for a perfect fall day trip.
Of course, this itinerary only scratches the surface—there are countless other trails, lakes, and local spots to explore in the Katahdin region (get some ideas here). But if you’ve got just one day, this mix of flavor and foliage is hard to beat.
Safety Notes for Fall Adventures
Exploring Katahdin Woods and Waters and the surrounding region in the fall comes with a few important reminders:
Category: Trip Reports