A new report from the National Park Service showed that Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument last year attracted 41,000 visitors who had spent $ 2.7 million in nearby communities. These expenses supported 38 jobs and had accumulated benefits of more than $ 3 million.
The number of visitors increases every year. Superintendent Tim Hudson said the number rose about 10 percent last summer and prompted valet parking to propose adding the monument’s facilities to a national park reservation system. All campsites and lean-tos are currently available on a first come, first served basis.
“We recently had a group that said, ‘If we had a reservation system we’d come, but we don’t want to take the risk of not getting a seat,'” said Hudson.
The national reservation includes a fee, but there is no charge to use the facilities. The reservation system will be publicly commented on until July 15th.
This article is published through a media partnership with Maine public.
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