Fall Colors

Fall colors line the water at Orin Falls. Red, orange, and yellow trees surround the water.

NPS/ R. Wang

New England is home to the country’s best fall colors. Situated at the northeastern most part of the region, Katahdin Woods and Waters is the perfect place to view a wide display of stunning trees. Learn more about how to prepare for your leaf-peeping visit below. 

When to Visit

Plan your trip to Katahdin Woods and Waters from September to mid-October for the season’s best foliage. For information on the current status of foliage across Maine, visit this weekly report, courtesy of the state. Please take note of current weather conditions before your visit. High winds and heavy rains may impact views or cause road closures. For more information on how to plan your fall visit to the monument, please see the Plan Your Visit page.  

What to Bring 

Blaze Orange or High Visibility Clothing: Hunting is allowed in certain areas of the monument during peak fall foliage. Please refer to the hunting page for details on where hunting is allowed and note where blaze orange must be worn for personal safety. It is recommended that if you go onto any monument land during hunting season, you wear orange. 

Binoculars: Bringing a pair of binoculars will help you get up-close views of far away trees. You may also spot some animals preparing for the shifting seasons!  

Camera: Capture photos of the beautiful colors and help us by engaging in community science!  

Where to See Fall Foliage at KAWW

By Foot or Bike  

For general hiking trails and directions, visit the hiking page.  

North End: hiking anywhere in the north end of the monument will provide great foliage and ample views. Learn more about hikes in the north.  

Barnard Mountain: Hike up to the top of the mountain for an expansive fall view. Learn more about how to hike Barnard Mountain.  

Orin Falls: View fall colors against a scenic river landscape. Learn more about how to hike Orin Falls.  

Messer Pond: View foliage surrounding a picturesque body of water. Learn more about how to hike Messer Pond. 

By Vehicle 

Lunksoos Picnic Area: Drive to Lunksoos for a beautiful view of the water, trees, and surrounding area. This stop has a vault toilet and picnic tables.  

American Thread Road: Drive through the Seboeis Unit on this road, lined by stunning foliage and glimpses of Katahdin. Use this map to plan your drive.  

By Water 

East Branch Penobscot River via Lunksoos Boat Launch – travel in either direction on the Penobscot River for stunning views. Use this boat launch to get started.  

Note: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument does not have boats available for rental. Please be prepared to bring your own watercraft, and check water flow before entering at any site.  

Reminder

Be alert for hunters east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River. The Seboeis Unit is a great place to see trees by vehicle, with a significantly reduced commute time compared to the north and south ends. If you plan to go in on foot, wear high visibility clothing to make yourself known. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays in Maine, making it a great day to visit the monument! 

Details

Duration

1-8 Hours

Fall colors can be enjoyed for minutes, hours, or days! Plan a camping trip for a long, emmersive experience, or enjoy a drive through the monument for a short but beautiful trip. 

Activity

Front-Country Hiking

This activity can be done from a vehicle, non-motorized watercraft, on foot, or by bike. 

Age(s)

This activity is suitable for all ages, based on location. Please see "where to see fall foliage at KAWW" for more specific information. 

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets must be on leash in the monument. 

Activity Fee

No

Monument admission is free. 

Location

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

The monument has several great places to view fall foliage. Please refer to the rest of this listing's details for specific location and trail suggestions. 

Reservations

No

No reservations are necessary for day trips. Camping reservations are highly reccomended. To make a camping reservation, visit this reservations site. 

Accessibility Information

This activity's accessibility varies greatly depending on location and mode of transit. For specifics, please refer to each location's details page. This activity is open to a wide variety of abilities and mobility levels. For more information about general monument accesibility, please visit the accessibility page.