Baxter State Park

Baxter State Park, a wilderness area of 202,064 acres, was a gift to the State of Maine by former Gov. Percival P. Baxter. In 1930 he made his first land purchase of 5,960 acres which included Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine. This land was given to the State in 1931. By resolve of the Maine Legislature in 1933, the area was officially designated as Baxter State Park and the summit of Katahdin was named "Baxter Peak" in his honor. His final gift of 7,764 acres was made in 1962.

The Park is a paradise for the naturalist, mountain climber, hiker, and photographer. Many orchids, ferns, alpine and other plants grow in abundance. Geologists will find interest in Baxter's rhyolite, Katahdin granite and many fossil types. Bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts and winter trackers will find a variety of wildlife to pursue. Gov. Baxter expressed the spirit of the Park.

Man is born to Die, His Works are Short-lived Buildings Crumble, Monuments Decay, Wealth Vanishes But Katahdin in All Its Glory Forever Shall Remain the Mountain of the People of Maine

There are 46 mountain peaks and ridges, 18 of which exceed an elevation of 3,000 feet, the highest being Baxter Peak at 5,267 feet. The park is intersected by about 175 miles of trails. The information contained in this brief introduction to the Park is not adequate for extended hiking or climbing. For your own safety, do not leave the Park Tote road without a detailed map o, the area to be traversed. Maps may be obtained at Campgrounds, Millinocket Headquarters, or the Visitor Center at Togue Pond.

Major Trails

Trail	Route	Miles
Appalachian Trail	Park line to Katahdin Stream	4.95
Abol Trail	Abol to Thoreau Spring	2.76
Hunt Trail	Katahdin Stream to Baxter Peak	5.19
The Owl Trail	Katahdin Stream to the Owl	3.00
O.J.I. Trail	Perimeter road to O.J.I	2.71
Sentinel Mt. Trail	Kidney Pond to Sentinel Mt.	2.60
Doubletop Mt. Trail	Nesowadnehunk to Kidney Pond	7.80
Marston Trail	Slide Dam to North Brother	4.24
Webster Lake Trail	Black Brook to Webster Lake	7.20
Freezeout Trail	Webster Lake to Second Lake Matagamon	9.0
Freezeout Trail	Second Lake Matagamon to Trout Brook Farm	6.10
Trout Brook Mt. Trail	Trout Brook Farm to Trout Brook Mt.	1.30
Horse Mt. Trail	Perimeter road to Horse Mt. Tower	1.35
Fowler Pond Trail	Perimeter road to Fowler Pond	2.00
Middle Fowler Trail	So. Branch Pond to Middle Fowler Pond	4.10
So. Branch Falls Trail	So. Branch Pond road to the falls	0.43
So. Branch Mt. Trail	So. Branch Pond to Pogy Notch Trail via Black Cat. Mt.	4 06
North Traveler Trail	So. Branch Pond to North Traveler	2.55
Center Ridge Trail	Pogy Notch Trail to the Traveler	1.75
Pogy Notch Trail	So. Branch Pond to the Traveler	9.61
Lookout Trail	Russell Pond Campground to The Lookout Ledge	1.25
Grand Falls Trail	Russell Pond to Grand Falls via Inscription Rock	2.75
Wassataquoik Lake Trail	Russell Pond to Wassataquoik Lake	2.70
Wassataquoik Lake Trail	Wassataquoik Lake to Nesowadnehunk Field	8.30
Russell Pond Trail	Russell Pond to Roaring Brook	7.00
Howe (north)Peaks Trail	Russell Pond to Hamlin Peak	6.85
Northwest Basin Trail	Russell Pond to The Saddle	7.96
So. Turner Mt. Trail	Roaring Brook to S. Turner Mt. via Sandy Stream Pond	2.00
Whidden Pond Trail	Sandy Stream Pond to Whidden Pond	0.90
Helon Taylor Trail	Roaring Brook to Pamola	3.16
Knife Edge Trail	Pamola to Baxter Peak	1.10
Chimney Pond Trail	Roaring Brook to Chimney Pond	3.30
Dudley Trail	Chimney Pond to Pamola	1.25
Cathedral Trail	Chimney Pond to Baxter Peak	1.70
Saddle Trail	Chimney Pond to Baxter Peak	2.17
Hamlin Ridge Trail	Chimney Pond to Hamlin Peak	1.95
North Basin Trail	Chimney Pond Trail to No. Basin Ponds	1.25

To protect the wilderness resource, the park limits access to parking lots/trailheads. Access is based on a first-come, first-served basis when parking lots fill up, that area is closed. Early arrival is recommended for day-use.

Campgrounds

There are ten campgrounds located at Roaring Brook, Abol, Katahdin Stream, Nesowadnehunk, South Branch Pond Trout Brook Farm, Chimney Pond, Russell Pond, Daicey Pond (cabins only) and Kidney Pond (cabins only).

The campgrounds have facilities which may vary including lean-tos, tenting space, bunkhouses, fireplaces and picnic tables. Narrow roads prohibit travel with large trailers. Russell Pond and Chimney Pond can be reached only by foot trails. Canoes are available for rent at South Branch Pond, Russell Pond, Trout Brook Farm, Daicey Pond and Kidney Pond. Campers and visitors supply their own food and cooking utensils. Gasoline is not available in the Park, Although it is available at private campgrounds on the way to the Park. We strongly recommend checking your gas gauge before entering.

Water Supplies

Water in Baxter State park is untreated and generally unprotected. Before drinking or cooking, it is strongly recommended that water be disinfected. This can be done a number of ways, such as boiling for a minimum of five minutes or the application of seven drops of iodine (from your first aid kit) per gallon of water. Bleach (Clorox) may be substituted for iodine. If you use a filter be sure pore size is 3 microns or smaller.

Baxter State Park
64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, Me. 04462
(207) 723-5140

Baxter State Park - Baxter State Park is in the heart of Maine, with Mt. Katahdin as its crown jewel. Hiking, climbing and other recreational activities await you in Baxter State Park.

Winter Rules - The Baxter State Park Authority has developed a set of procedures and guidelines for winter use in an effort to assist Park users in planning trips to Baxter State Park, to promote safety of all persons using the Park and to protect the Baxter State Park Authority and its staff from unnecessary search and rescue efforts.

Day Use Regulations - No special permission is required for day use below tree line. However, in the interest of public safety we strongly discourage people from traveling alone in the winter; party size of at least 2 is strongly recommended, 3 or 4 is better! Day users are requested to check in and out at Park gates, volunteer registration points or Park Headquarters, by phone if more convenient. This is for the safety of users in the event of an accident or emergency and helps us keep statistics on Park use.

Technical Climbing - Get the latest in rules and regulations before you head out on a climb.

Winter Camping Regulations - Camping in the winter is not for everyone, so check this page before you venture out to the Park for a winter camping adventure.

Administrative Procedures Governing Winter Activities - The Baxter State Park Authority encourages winter use of the Park; but is vitally concerned with the safety of winter visitors. Users of the Park in the winter must comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Park.

Recommendations For Winter Visitors - Food, not clothing, is the source of your heat, so a diet high in carbohydrates, along with some fats, is recommended. Dry foods, such as pasta, rice and powdered potatoes, cheeses, and freeze dried meals are good choices because of their light weight.

Alpine Skiing Regulations - Get the latest in rules and regulations before you head out on a climb.

Day Use Hiking Guide - Those of us who work for Baxter State Park cherish the land we manage and hope you will strive to respect both the land and its inhabitants during your visit here.

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