A chance to share your thoughts with NPS, goodbyes with gratitude, getting ready for Membership May, and more…
A red fox kit in the monument in spring. Photo credit: Ross Knowlton
We made it to spring! Emerging from our winter “dens,” blinking in the sunlight like this red fox kit, we are ready. Friends’ staff are bubbling with excitement over sighting a spotted salamander or a nesting phoebe pair, dirt road jogging, and early season angling in the local brook. Relishing the first spring milestones is the perfect way to enjoy the warming landscape while we wait a few more weeks to hike to the top of Barnard Mountain for a family picnic, visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, or take in the views at the soon-to-be-open Katahdin Overlook. All that and more will be waiting for you when the last road gates swing open at the end of May – be sure to check nps.gov/KAWW for all updates and alerts before you go!
Get psyched for a season of exploration and discovery at Katahdin Woods and Waters – come to one of Friends’ Membership Mayevents! Have you registered to join us for one of these free, weekday, happy hour gatherings at local brewpubs? First up is Maine Beer Company in Freeport on Thursday, May 7th. After that we move northward to Ellsworth, then Millinocket, and end in Patten at the end of May. For all the details and to sign up, visit the Membership May event page. Hope to see you there!
For now, read on for the latest news from the park service and how to make your voice heard, a preview of summer events, and an opportunity to join Friends for a bike/paddle adventure in June!
The National Park Service Wants to Hear From You!
Your participation is needed for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument General Management Plan! Establishing a General Management Plan is a critical step forward for any unit of the National Park Service and an important opportunity for public engagement. Friends encourages our members, visitors, and the general public to participate in scheduled civic engagement sessions online or in-person from April 29 through May 6, 2026. Comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) program will be accepted for a period of 30-days, from April 29 through May 29. This is also where you can find the written information being shared at the public sessions. Whether you just want to listen and learn or share your ideas, now is the time to show up and show your investment in the monument’s future. Opportunities will include:
May 6, 2026 — 5:30–7:30 PM (ET) – Katahdin Region Middle/High School Cafeteria
Thank You and Goodbye to Two Treasured Park Staffers
Thank you for your service, Dewey and Crystal! Photo credits: A. Longman, NPS
The entire team at Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters would like to extend its gratitude to two NPS employees moving on to exciting new opportunities, Christopher ‘Dewey’ Loft and Crystal Lewis.
Christopher Loft, better known as Dewey, has played a critical role in shaping Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as Facility Manager and Chief of Maintenance. In 2023, Dewey was awarded the DOI’s Natural Resource Management in Maintenance Award for his work with the monument’s Interdisciplinary team, Tribes, and state partners to execute bridge and culvert improvements that are designed to benefit endangered Atlantic salmon. Dewey’s creative thinking around roads and trails have led to improvements that will have an impact for years to come. Equally important, he has been a dedicated champion of Patten, the Katahdin Region, and the monument throughout his tenure. We wish Dewey and his family the best as they head to Colorado and Dewey continues his NPS career at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
Over the last three years, Education Specialist Crystal Lewis has become widely known and beloved throughout Katahdin region communities for her enthusiasm and collaboration. Crystal was responsible for bringing to life the regular “Tree Talks” series with Maine Forest Service, as well as the Patten Winter Festival. In her role, she has led countless school programs introducing children to the monument. Lucky for northern Maine, Crystal isn’t going far, and we wish her the best as the new recreation director for the town of Houlton.
Experience the Monument in a New Way
We are very excited to announce a special trip this June in partnership with PackRaft ME!
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to combine biking and paddling in one day without complicated drop- off and vehicle logistics? Well, you are in luck! Join Friends on Saturday, June 27th for a unique experience on the waters and gravel of the monument. Led by experienced guide Alejandro Strong, this excursion is suitable for folks comfortable with biking on dirt roads and paddling flat water. No expert skills required.
Plus, all proceeds from the trip will benefit Friends. We have very limited space for this special adventure…don’t delay, and click below to learn all the details and register.
Behind the Signs – News from the NPS at Katahdin Woods and Waters
Our colleagues at the National Park Service are gearing up for peak season at Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Staffing up for the summer season – The hiring of seasonal park staff is almost complete, with folks settling in the Katahdin region communities over the next few weeks. We look forward to welcoming NPS staff who will perform important work from law enforcement to trail building to helping visitors navigate and understand all that the monument has to offer.
Camping season is just around the corner! Know the rules and requirements before you go. Pictured above, Lunksoos tentsites. Photo credit: Taylor Walker
Summer camping reservations now open – Camping season is just around the corner, and we want you to be aware of an important change! Previously, all sites at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument were available for optional reservations through Recreation.gov. This year, reservations will be required for Lunksoos Campground, Sandbank Stream Campground, and Big Seboeis – and not available for other sites. Reservations are open now for stays between May 22 and October 11, 2026.
Know before you go: while the Swift Brook Road Gate (privately managed) at the southern entrance should be open in early May, dates for NPS-managed gates have not been announced yet. Typically open around Memorial Day, check for alerts before you head in to be sure by visiting www.nps.gov/kaww.
Tekαkαpimək Contact Station will open for the season on Friday, May 22nd, and operate 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday weekly (closed Tuesday and Wednesday).
Don’t forget to always start your trip at nps.gov/kaww and by downloading the NPS app!
Learn, Explore, and Gather
Don’t miss out! We’re spoiled with a wealth of wonderful events, workshops, and experiences take place in the Katahdin region or broader conservation community here in Maine. In addition to posting Friends and NPS events here, we will also share partner organization and fund regional happenings that catch our eye!
Streaming now – PBS documentary Henry David Thoreau as well as an episode of Maine Public’s Maine Calling with the film’s directors. Friends board member and Penobscot historian James Eric Francis Sr. is featured in the series, along with beautiful footage along the East Branch of the Penobscot River.
Save the Date for Woods and Waters Day at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket on Saturday, August 15.
Open call to participate! We’re planning a fabulous celebration and some extra special ways to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Do you have memories or photos to share about experiences in the monument – from any time before designation to today? We want to hear your stories – and some may even be featured in 10th anniversary storytelling.
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to Richardson’s, a 4th generation run business in Patten since 1948, for your generous sponsorship at the Katahdin Level! Richardson’s truly embodies community spirit and has been a “Friend” of the national monument since the beginning – and the perfect spot to pick up everything you need from an extra tarp to a new fishing pole.
Your business or organization can be a part of the movement to preserve and protect Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for the benefit of local communities and visitors from around the world. We are happy to customize a sponsorship package that works best for your brand. Call (207) 808-0020 or email sarah@friendsofkww.org today to learn more.
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on April 23rd, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
Peeps, cheeps, and cheers for Spring! – April eNewsletter
Posted: May 1, 2026 by Sarah Andre
A chance to share your thoughts with NPS, goodbyes with gratitude, getting ready for Membership May, and more…
We made it to spring! Emerging from our winter “dens,” blinking in the sunlight like this red fox kit, we are ready. Friends’ staff are bubbling with excitement over sighting a spotted salamander or a nesting phoebe pair, dirt road jogging, and early season angling in the local brook. Relishing the first spring milestones is the perfect way to enjoy the warming landscape while we wait a few more weeks to hike to the top of Barnard Mountain for a family picnic, visit Tekαkαpimək Contact Station, or take in the views at the soon-to-be-open Katahdin Overlook. All that and more will be waiting for you when the last road gates swing open at the end of May – be sure to check nps.gov/KAWW for all updates and alerts before you go!
Get psyched for a season of exploration and discovery at Katahdin Woods and Waters – come to one of Friends’ Membership May events! Have you registered to join us for one of these free, weekday, happy hour gatherings at local brewpubs? First up is Maine Beer Company in Freeport on Thursday, May 7th. After that we move northward to Ellsworth, then Millinocket, and end in Patten at the end of May. For all the details and to sign up, visit the Membership May event page. Hope to see you there!
For now, read on for the latest news from the park service and how to make your voice heard, a preview of summer events, and an opportunity to join Friends for a bike/paddle adventure in June!
The National Park Service Wants to Hear From You!
Your participation is needed for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument General Management Plan! Establishing a General Management Plan is a critical step forward for any unit of the National Park Service and an important opportunity for public engagement. Friends encourages our members, visitors, and the general public to participate in scheduled civic engagement sessions online or in-person from April 29 through May 6, 2026. Comments through the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) program will be accepted for a period of 30-days, from April 29 through May 29. This is also where you can find the written information being shared at the public sessions. Whether you just want to listen and learn or share your ideas, now is the time to show up and show your investment in the monument’s future. Opportunities will include:
In‑Person Public Meetings in May!
May 5, 2026 — 5:30–7:30 PM (ET) – Katahdin Higher Education Center/EMCC
May 6, 2026 — 5:30–7:30 PM (ET) – Katahdin Region Middle/High School Cafeteria
Thank You and Goodbye to Two Treasured Park Staffers
The entire team at Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters would like to extend its gratitude to two NPS employees moving on to exciting new opportunities, Christopher ‘Dewey’ Loft and Crystal Lewis.
Christopher Loft, better known as Dewey, has played a critical role in shaping Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as Facility Manager and Chief of Maintenance. In 2023, Dewey was awarded the DOI’s Natural Resource Management in Maintenance Award for his work with the monument’s Interdisciplinary team, Tribes, and state partners to execute bridge and culvert improvements that are designed to benefit endangered Atlantic salmon. Dewey’s creative thinking around roads and trails have led to improvements that will have an impact for years to come. Equally important, he has been a dedicated champion of Patten, the Katahdin Region, and the monument throughout his tenure. We wish Dewey and his family the best as they head to Colorado and Dewey continues his NPS career at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
Over the last three years, Education Specialist Crystal Lewis has become widely known and beloved throughout Katahdin region communities for her enthusiasm and collaboration. Crystal was responsible for bringing to life the regular “Tree Talks” series with Maine Forest Service, as well as the Patten Winter Festival. In her role, she has led countless school programs introducing children to the monument. Lucky for northern Maine, Crystal isn’t going far, and we wish her the best as the new recreation director for the town of Houlton.
Experience the Monument in a New Way
We are very excited to announce a special trip this June in partnership with PackRaft ME!
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to combine biking and paddling in one day without complicated drop- off and vehicle logistics? Well, you are in luck! Join Friends on Saturday, June 27th for a unique experience on the waters and gravel of the monument. Led by experienced guide Alejandro Strong, this excursion is suitable for folks comfortable with biking on dirt roads and paddling flat water. No expert skills required.
Plus, all proceeds from the trip will benefit Friends. We have very limited space for this special adventure…don’t delay, and click below to learn all the details and register.
Behind the Signs – News from the NPS at Katahdin Woods and Waters
Our colleagues at the National Park Service are gearing up for peak season at Katahdin Woods and Waters.
Staffing up for the summer season – The hiring of seasonal park staff is almost complete, with folks settling in the Katahdin region communities over the next few weeks. We look forward to welcoming NPS staff who will perform important work from law enforcement to trail building to helping visitors navigate and understand all that the monument has to offer.
Summer camping reservations now open – Camping season is just around the corner, and we want you to be aware of an important change! Previously, all sites at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument were available for optional reservations through Recreation.gov. This year, reservations will be required for Lunksoos Campground, Sandbank Stream Campground, and Big Seboeis – and not available for other sites. Reservations are open now for stays between May 22 and October 11, 2026.
To make a reservation, visit https://www.recreation.gov/
All other campsites will be first come, first serve. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/kaww/
PLUS…
Learn, Explore, and Gather
Don’t miss out! We’re spoiled with a wealth of wonderful events, workshops, and experiences take place in the Katahdin region or broader conservation community here in Maine. In addition to posting Friends and NPS events here, we will also share partner organization and fund regional happenings that catch our eye!
Save the Date for Woods and Waters Day at New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket on Saturday, August 15.
Sponsor Spotlight
Thank you to Richardson’s, a 4th generation run business in Patten since 1948, for your generous sponsorship at the Katahdin Level! Richardson’s truly embodies community spirit and has been a “Friend” of the national monument since the beginning – and the perfect spot to pick up everything you need from an extra tarp to a new fishing pole.
Your business or organization can be a part of the movement to preserve and protect Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument for the benefit of local communities and visitors from around the world. We are happy to customize a sponsorship package that works best for your brand. Call (207) 808-0020 or email sarah@friendsofkww.org today to learn more.
This blog post was adapted from an email sent on April 23rd, 2026. Sign up for our email list at friendsofkww.org/signup
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