The National Park Service wants to add Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to recreation.gov

Though more than a few criticisms about recreation.gov have been voiced by those who have been unable to land a campsite reservation through the online portal, the National Park Service believes adding Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument to the reservation system would benefit monument visitors.

Many have complained about campsite availabilities evaporating the moment they log on when a reservation window opens, with more than a few speculating that the system is being gamed somehow by a minority that time and again somehow manage to land a reservation.

Still, the Park Service announced Monday that it wanted to add Katahdin Woods and Waters to the reservation system beginning in August. Public comment on that proposal is being taken through July 14 at this site.

“Adding campsites, lean-tos and Haskell Hut to Recreation.gov would improve trip planning and visitor enjoyment,” said Katahdin Woods and Watrs Superintendent Tim Hudson. “Visitors planning trips to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument during peak use times will benefit from seeing real-time availability and the ability to make reservations outside of standard business hours.”

Currently, all campsites and lean-tos are first-come, first-serve, while Haskell Hut is available for winter use by contacting the monument by email or phone for reservations.

The purpose of the reservation convenience fee is to cover Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument’s cost of using the national reservation service contract at www.recreation.gov. Recreation.gov charges contractor line item number costs at $8 per reservation for online reservations and $9 per reservation for phone reservations. These are reservation costs alone; no additional costs for amenities are being considered at this time.

The following sites would be added to the proposed reservation system.

Campsites:

• Big Seboeis
• Big Spring Brook West
• Esker
• Haskell Deadwater
• Lunksoos
• Pond Pitch West
• Sandbank Stream
• Stair Falls West
• Upper East Branch
• Wassataquoik

Lean-tos:

• Grand Pitch
• Katahdin Brook
• Lunksoos
• Wassataquoik

Huts: Haskell Hut (winter use only)

At present, the additional charge would be for the recreation convenience fee alone. Changes may be seasonal (e.g. on a reservation system during peak use) or year-round. The monument would use the existing National Park Service on-line reservation system located at www.recreation.gov.

Reservations for winter use of Haskell Hut are currently made by contacting Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument by email or phone. Adding Haskell Hut to the reservation system will provide real-time availability and the ability to make reservations outside standard business hours Monday-Friday. No changes are proposed for the reservation process at Big Spring Brook Hut at this time.