Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center

06/29/2025

Update as of June 29: Stream flows south of Monson and in the 100 Mile Wilderness have risen again
In the days following the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's June 23 update on stream flows, flows at fords south of Monson and in the 100 Mile Wilderness decreased to levels that were reasonable for most hikers. However, following additional rain June 28, flows have risen again. As of the morning of June 29, we expect that conditions at some fords are dangerous.

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in Maine has received significant rainfall in the past two days, resulting in high river and stream levels.

06/29/2025

On June 27, the Monson A.T. Visitor Center hosted trail professionals and volunteers from Baxter State Park and the MATC | Maine Appalachian Trail Club, as well as visiting Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff. From left to right: MATC Katahdin District Manager Herb Fithian, Bigelow Ridgerunner Elliot Koeppel, Saddleback Ridgerunner Henry Southall, Hundred Mile Wilderness Ridgerunner Kevin Takash*ta-Bynum, Katahdin Stream Ranger Pete Sweeney, Northern Maine Ridgerunner Hailey Lynch, Katahdin Stream Ranger Sara McQuarrie, MATC President Janice Clain, ATC Information Services Manager Caitlin Miller, Baxter Ranger Supervisor Bruce White, and Baxter A.T. Ranger Don Bolduc. The day before, Baxter State Park hosted Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Maine Appalachian Trail Club staff for training. We look forward to working together this summer and fall. Together, we will help hikers achieve their goals while staying safe and protecting the A.T. through Leave No Trace practices.

06/06/2025

In an early celebration of National Trails Day (June 6), the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Maine Regional Manager, Leah Beck, came to the Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center to help Manager Wendy Weiger prepare guides to day hiking along the A.T. near Monson. Please stop by the center to pick up your copy - we can suggest hikes for people of all ages and ability!

06/05/2025

Here is the status of trails up Katahdin as of today, June 5: the Hunt and Abol Trails are open for hiking to Baxter Peak. The Chimney Pond Trail is open, but all trails climbing above Chimney Pond (Saddle, Cathedral, Dudley) remain closed; the Knife Edge also remains closed.

06/03/2025

Due to an active search, the Abol and Hunt Trails have been closed until further notice. All other trails on Katahdin remain closed due to spring conditions.
Update 6/4/25: Esther Keiderling's body was found this afternoon in a wooded area of Katahdin’s Tableland.

05/30/2025

The Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center is open for the 2025 season! Our hours of operation are as follows:
Monday: 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: staffed as available – please check ahead
Wednesday: staffed as available – please check ahead
Thursday: 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 – 11:00 AM and 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
We look forward to helping you in person, over the phone (413-200-0313), through Facebook messaging, or by email ([email protected]). Whether you're a thru hiker, a section hiker, a day hiker, or just passing through town, we have lots of helpful information about the A.T., other local trails, and the wealth of activities our region offers.

05/29/2025

The Hunt (A.T.) and Abol Trails up Katahdin are opening Friday, May 30!



10/14/2024

Another season flew by! The Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center’s final day of operation for 2024 was October 14. We plan to reopen in June 2025. In the meantime, if you would like to contact us, we will periodically check emails sent to [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you in summer 2025!
[Photo: Sunset colors over Katahdin viewed from Abol Bridge, July 23 2016; by Wendy Weiger.]

10/14/2024

UPDATE OCTOBER 17 FROM BAXTER STATE PARK:
"All Katahdin Trails and the Traveler Loop trail are closed to protect the fragile alpine environment. The trail closures will remain in effect until the winter season begins December 1st.”

KATAHDIN TRAILS CLOSED (OCTOBER 14): Due to today's storm, Katahdin and Traveler trails are closed until further notice. There was about an inch of snow on Katahdin's summit prior to the current storm, which was expected to bring an additional 4-8 inches. Tomorrow's Katahdin summit forecast is predicting highs in the upper twenties Fahrenheit, with 25-35 mph winds causing wind chills around 8 degrees. This is not a "hard close." It is possible, though not guaranteed, that Katahdin trails may reopen for fall hiking, depending on weather conditions over the coming week.

09/24/2024

This past weekend, Emily Mayo, Senior Manager of Visitor Centers for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Wendy Weiger, who manages the ATC's Monson Visitor Center, hiked to the summit of Borestone Mountain, enjoying wonderful views of the Hundred Mile Wilderness, the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail.

09/19/2024

Here is what we know about seasonal closing dates as of October 1.

09/01/2024

The Monson Appalachian Trail Visitor Center will be OPEN Labor Day, Monday September 2, from 8 -11 AM and 1-5 PM and OPEN Tuesday September 3 from 8 - 11 AM and 1-5 PM. We will be CLOSED Wednesday September 4 and Thursday September 5 so that staff may enjoy a belated Labor Day weekend. If you stop by when we are closed, you will still be able to access our virtual kiosk, which is open 24/7 and offers information for northbound, southbound, and day hikers! We will be OPEN for our regular hours (8 -11 AM and 1-5 PM) on Friday September 6 and Saturday September 7 and from 10:30 AM - 5 PM on Sunday September 8. We look forward to helping you!