As we anticipate the opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Loop Road for 2026 this Friday, May 22nd, Executive Director Brian Hinrichs reflects on a day trip from Bangor to Tekαkαpimək with his family last summer. Whenever visiting the monument, please start by downloading the NPS app and checking out nps.gov/kaww for the latest travel alerts, hours, and information, which is subject to change.
When that rare thing reveals itself in the calendar–a totally free Saturday–my kids know that most likely means piling in the minivan and heading out for an adventure. Living in Bangor, the pull of the coast can be strong in the summer, but one Saturday last June we took the opportunity to visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station together for the first time.
On previous monument visits they had already hiked Barnard Mountain, explored the Orin Falls trail, camped at Lunksoos, and paddled a section of the East Branch. This time, we decided to keep it simple. With the limited time we had, we focused on enjoying all that Tekαkαpimək had to offer before lunch at Salted Butter Farm, followed by ice cream and river views in Medway on our way home. In all, it made for a great snapshot of the region, one made immensely deeper by starting at Tekαkαpimək (pronounced deh-gah-gah-bee-mook).
The Drive
From Bangor, it’s about an hour north on I-95 to exit 264 for Sherman. Turn left off the highway following signs for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and you’ll quickly turn left again after the Irving station to hop on Route 11, the Grindstone Road. Take Grindstone Road for 6 miles, then follow monument signage onto the Swift Brook Road. This is the end of the paved-road portion of the journey, and you have 25 more minutes before reaching Tekαkαpimək: 5 miles along Swift Brook before turning right onto Contact Station Road for another 2.5 miles. From Bangor, it takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Recently announced hours at Tekαkαpimək for 2026 beginning are Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm, with the building closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting Friday, May 22nd.
ARRIVAL
Click the image to view a detailed map and zoom in on Tekakapimek Contact Station via nps.gov/kaww
Pulling up to Tekαkαpimək, you will not see the building right away. Instead, you’ll start to see a few different parking options: bus and camper parking on your right, then car options on your left. Unless the lots are completely full, you can keep pulling forward until you see the lots near the Eastern Overlook and Gathering Circle- is a great place to get oriented. Handicap parking options are available near accessible path starting points, or you can drive forward and turn left on the access road for handicap parking closer to the building (or for drop-offs if needed). Whenever possible, I encourage you start your visit at the Eastern Overlook, taking in the views of Dawnland and reading the interpretive signage about the meaning of Tekαkαpimək and the Wabanaki tribal nations.
PATHS
After exploring the Eastern Overlook, head over the East-West Line up the cascading granite stairs towards the building. Before or after you enter, consider stretching your legs on the short paths through this strand of woods on the summit of Lookout Mountain, learning about the geology, flora, and fauna of the monument and the site. Even in June of last year, we were finding moose poop on the paths–always a hit with the kids–so who knows what you will see! In May, the birding will be wonderful.
THE BUILDING
It’s hard to describe the magic of Tekαkαpimək. It was especially moving to share it with my kids, who have all engaged with some level of Wabanaki studies in their schools and were primed to dig deeper. With exhibit writing led by Jennifer Neptune of the Penobscot Nation, “interpretation is through a Wabanaki lens in a contemporary context, honoring the past and showing vibrant communities moving sustainably into the future.” My youngest appreciated all of the tactile exhibits and audio options. My older two spent a lot of time reading the river exhibits and following the incredible etched floor designed by James Eric Francis Sr. We all spent time in the dark sky exhibits, talking about what we had seen on past trips to the monument and how we might look at the sky differently in the future. We were lucky to have a bluebird day with clear views of Katahdin, and pointed out peaks we had yet to summit together. The visit ended with a minor skirmish, with the three boys angling for two available rocking chairs, and that was our cue to move on to lunch.
We spent about an hour and a half at Tekαkαpimək, but adults especially could spend two to three hours soaking in every exhibit and wayside across the site and building. There is a picnic area on the paths, so packing in (and out) a lunch is a great idea. For this trip though, the kids had been promised a “restaurant lunch” and we decided to try the Salted Butter Farm in Sherman for the first time.
SALTED BUTTER FARM AND beyond
To get to Salted Butter Farm from Tekαkαpimək, retrace your steps back down Contact Station Road, and turn left on Swift Brook to get to Route 11. You’ll go back to Sherman, turn right on Route 158 and go under I-95. In about a mile you’ll be at SBF, and you can miss this great big purple Victorian home-turned-restaurant. It’s about 25 minutes and 14 miles from Tekαkαpimək.
Owner Jenny MacArthur greeted us, and it was fun to see a number of patrons who had also just come from the monument. We were seated in a festive kid-friendly room and dove in to the expansive menu. SBF is known for their homestyle and approachable cooking filtered through the refined lens of chef Jonathan Purdy, and it did not disappoint. There were options for everybody, from mac n’ cheese and homemade pizza to a variety of sandwiches, salads, and Mexican dishes. We left full and happy, and hit the road for our final stop.
Twenty miles down the highway headed toward Bangor, we pulled off for the Medway Recreation Area, but stopped to grab some ice cream bars to go at a local convenience store first. It was a beautiful day and we wished we had packed swimsuits for a dip in the East Branch of the Penobscot River given the sunshine. We reflected on the power of the river with renewed understanding of its importance to the Penobscot Nation and all Wabanaki peoples, and noted that this same river flows all the way down to Bangor, where we cross it almost daily.
Road-tripping with kids is always an adventure, but I’m here to tell you a short and fulfilling day trip to Katahdin Woods and Waters is now possible with Tekαkαpimək. We could have planned differently and added a short hike in the monument to Deasey Pond or in the community at Penobscot River Trails, but this time we prioritized the creature comforts of good food and sweet treats.
Day trip to Tekαkαpimək Contact Station
Posted: May 19, 2026 by Brian Hinrichs
As we anticipate the opening of Tekαkαpimək Contact Station and Loop Road for 2026 this Friday, May 22nd, Executive Director Brian Hinrichs reflects on a day trip from Bangor to Tekαkαpimək with his family last summer. Whenever visiting the monument, please start by downloading the NPS app and checking out nps.gov/kaww for the latest travel alerts, hours, and information, which is subject to change.
When that rare thing reveals itself in the calendar–a totally free Saturday–my kids know that most likely means piling in the minivan and heading out for an adventure. Living in Bangor, the pull of the coast can be strong in the summer, but one Saturday last June we took the opportunity to visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station together for the first time.
On previous monument visits they had already hiked Barnard Mountain, explored the Orin Falls trail, camped at Lunksoos, and paddled a section of the East Branch. This time, we decided to keep it simple. With the limited time we had, we focused on enjoying all that Tekαkαpimək had to offer before lunch at Salted Butter Farm, followed by ice cream and river views in Medway on our way home. In all, it made for a great snapshot of the region, one made immensely deeper by starting at Tekαkαpimək (pronounced deh-gah-gah-bee-mook).
The Drive
From Bangor, it’s about an hour north on I-95 to exit 264 for Sherman. Turn left off the highway following signs for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, and you’ll quickly turn left again after the Irving station to hop on Route 11, the Grindstone Road. Take Grindstone Road for 6 miles, then follow monument signage onto the Swift Brook Road. This is the end of the paved-road portion of the journey, and you have 25 more minutes before reaching Tekαkαpimək: 5 miles along Swift Brook before turning right onto Contact Station Road for another 2.5 miles. From Bangor, it takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Recently announced hours at Tekαkαpimək for 2026 beginning are Thursday to Monday, 10am to 4pm, with the building closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, starting Friday, May 22nd.
ARRIVAL
Pulling up to Tekαkαpimək, you will not see the building right away. Instead, you’ll start to see a few different parking options: bus and camper parking on your right, then car options on your left. Unless the lots are completely full, you can keep pulling forward until you see the lots near the Eastern Overlook and Gathering Circle- is a great place to get oriented. Handicap parking options are available near accessible path starting points, or you can drive forward and turn left on the access road for handicap parking closer to the building (or for drop-offs if needed). Whenever possible, I encourage you start your visit at the Eastern Overlook, taking in the views of Dawnland and reading the interpretive signage about the meaning of Tekαkαpimək and the Wabanaki tribal nations.
PATHS
After exploring the Eastern Overlook, head over the East-West Line up the cascading granite stairs towards the building. Before or after you enter, consider stretching your legs on the short paths through this strand of woods on the summit of Lookout Mountain, learning about the geology, flora, and fauna of the monument and the site. Even in June of last year, we were finding moose poop on the paths–always a hit with the kids–so who knows what you will see! In May, the birding will be wonderful.
THE BUILDING
It’s hard to describe the magic of Tekαkαpimək. It was especially moving to share it with my kids, who have all engaged with some level of Wabanaki studies in their schools and were primed to dig deeper. With exhibit writing led by Jennifer Neptune of the Penobscot Nation, “interpretation is through a Wabanaki lens in a contemporary context, honoring the past and showing vibrant communities moving sustainably into the future.” My youngest appreciated all of the tactile exhibits and audio options. My older two spent a lot of time reading the river exhibits and following the incredible etched floor designed by James Eric Francis Sr. We all spent time in the dark sky exhibits, talking about what we had seen on past trips to the monument and how we might look at the sky differently in the future. We were lucky to have a bluebird day with clear views of Katahdin, and pointed out peaks we had yet to summit together. The visit ended with a minor skirmish, with the three boys angling for two available rocking chairs, and that was our cue to move on to lunch.
We spent about an hour and a half at Tekαkαpimək, but adults especially could spend two to three hours soaking in every exhibit and wayside across the site and building. There is a picnic area on the paths, so packing in (and out) a lunch is a great idea. For this trip though, the kids had been promised a “restaurant lunch” and we decided to try the Salted Butter Farm in Sherman for the first time.
SALTED BUTTER FARM AND beyond
To get to Salted Butter Farm from Tekαkαpimək, retrace your steps back down Contact Station Road, and turn left on Swift Brook to get to Route 11. You’ll go back to Sherman, turn right on Route 158 and go under I-95. In about a mile you’ll be at SBF, and you can miss this great big purple Victorian home-turned-restaurant. It’s about 25 minutes and 14 miles from Tekαkαpimək.
Owner Jenny MacArthur greeted us, and it was fun to see a number of patrons who had also just come from the monument. We were seated in a festive kid-friendly room and dove in to the expansive menu. SBF is known for their homestyle and approachable cooking filtered through the refined lens of chef Jonathan Purdy, and it did not disappoint. There were options for everybody, from mac n’ cheese and homemade pizza to a variety of sandwiches, salads, and Mexican dishes. We left full and happy, and hit the road for our final stop.
Twenty miles down the highway headed toward Bangor, we pulled off for the Medway Recreation Area, but stopped to grab some ice cream bars to go at a local convenience store first. It was a beautiful day and we wished we had packed swimsuits for a dip in the East Branch of the Penobscot River given the sunshine. We reflected on the power of the river with renewed understanding of its importance to the Penobscot Nation and all Wabanaki peoples, and noted that this same river flows all the way down to Bangor, where we cross it almost daily.
Road-tripping with kids is always an adventure, but I’m here to tell you a short and fulfilling day trip to Katahdin Woods and Waters is now possible with Tekαkαpimək. We could have planned differently and added a short hike in the monument to Deasey Pond or in the community at Penobscot River Trails, but this time we prioritized the creature comforts of good food and sweet treats.
Plan your trip by starting with nps.gov/kaww and exploring restaurants and more in the community at destinationkatahdin.org.
Category: Trip Reports, Uncategorized