Maine / Penobscot County / T4 R8 WELS / Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

Big Spring Brook Hut

Closed — Currently closed for the season. The hut operates mid-January through mid-March for winter camping only. Reservations through Recreation.gov typically open in early December. Note: An impassable collapsed bridge is located near the hut, impacting access by foot and bike.

About

Big Spring Brook Hut offers a remote winter camping experience deep in the forests of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. This rustic log cabin is accessible only during winter months via a 9-10 mile cross-country ski or snowshoe trek from the North Gate parking area. The journey follows old logging roads with gentle to moderate terrain, though the final approach includes increased elevation changes and a consistent downhill into the hut area, making it unsuitable for beginners or nighttime travel. The hut accommodates up to six people on wooden sleeping platforms (bunks) and includes a wood stove for heating with split firewood provided outside, limited pots and pans for cooking, and a nearby pit toilet stocked with toilet paper. The facility is entirely off-grid with no electricity, lighting, running water, or cell phone service. Visitors must bring their own sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp stoves and fuel, water filtration systems, and all food and supplies. The hut is user-maintained, and guests are expected to clean all surfaces, split wood for the next party, and pack out all trash and food waste following Leave No Trace principles. Reservations are required through Recreation.gov and are available from mid-January to mid-March when the trail is generally groomed weekly for skiing. The hut itself is free, though Recreation.gov charges a non-refundable reservation fee. Winter conditions can be harsh, and visitors should check snow conditions 24-48 hours before departure, establish emergency protocols, and carry maps, compass, first aid supplies, and satellite communication devices. No motorized vehicle or snowmobile access is permitted, pets are not allowed, and snowshoers must stay off groomed ski trails to avoid damaging the track.

Directions

Park at the North Gate parking lot at the north entrance of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The hut is located 9-10 miles south of the North Gate via cross-country ski or snowshoe trail following old logging roads. The route passes Haskell Hut turnoff before continuing south with increased elevation changes to reach Big Spring Brook Hut. Not recommended for beginners or nighttime travel.

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