Gazing up at the night sky is a fantastic way to feel closer to nature. Snuggled up under a blanket with the smell of pine trees and fresh air reminds us that nature is a great way to feel at home in our own heads and bodies. Along with that comes the feeling of being a part of something larger. If everything mentioned here has you heading straight out the door to see the stars, you’ll love that one of the most beautiful places in the state is one of just a few Certified International Dark Sky Sanctuaries! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting this incredible Dark Sky Park in Maine.

Designated in 2016, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled places in Maine and all of America.
Katahdin WoodsandWaters / Flickr
Located at the eastern edge of Baxter State Park and stretching towards the Penobscot River’s eastern branch, the area is comprised of more than 100,000 acres.
Katahdin WoodsandWaters / Flickr
It's so far off the beaten path that the state's famed Golden Road is one way to get there. There's plenty to do here, from hiking to birding to canoeing and on and on and on.
Dylan Brett / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

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But what we love most about the area these days can only be seen when the sun goes down.
Katahdin WoodsandWaters / Flickr
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was recently certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. This is only the second Dark Sky Sanctuary identified in the National Park System and it's the first for Maine and for all of New England.
Ken Buderman / EyeEm / EyeEm via Getty Images
The International Dark Sky Association works to protect areas of natural dark night skies, which allows fantastic access to seeing the night sky. Areas receive their designation by implementing responsible lighting policies as well as public outreach and education. A night spent in and near Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument means little to no light pollution and unfettered access to some of the most incredible stargazing in the state.
c4s9 / Flickr
To see for yourself, plan on spending an evening at one of the campsites that will allow you to experience the Maine night sky like nowhere else!
c4s9 / Flickr

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is open year-round for different activities that change with the seasons. For a list of when you can enjoy things like biking, camping, snowmobiling, hiking, and other outdoor activities visit the official NPS website here.

Maine got this awesome national monument in 2016 and it’s breathtaking! We wrote all about it a few years ago and reading it will give you some good background on how it came to be.

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Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Hauling Rd 1, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA