Baxter State Park Guide
Baxter State Park is a gem for Maine. It is not the typical “state park” as most state parks are run and funded entirely by the state, but Baxter State Park has a different history. Baxter State Park was created by Percival Baxter, when he bought the first 6,000 acres and turned it into a park in 1930. In 1931 he donated it to the state with a 7 million dollar trust and therefore is not taxpayer funded. As of now the park is 201,018 acres, governed by the Attorney General, Director of the Maine Forest Service and the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. For a majority of this post I’ll be referring to Baxter State Park as BSP. BSP follows the “Wilderness first, recreation second” way of being, which you may notice during your visit with natural trails, dirt roads and minimalist infrastructure.
Baxter State Park has some interesting rules, and most are for good reason. It is always worth it to read through the full set of rules before planning a trip. BSP keeps firm to their rules, so keep that in mind for your visit.
Park Hours:
The park is open for day use from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Camping:
- Campgrounds are open May 15-October 15. See their website for specific details and conditions for certain campsites and campgrounds.
- You must register at the gatehouse no later than 8:30 p.m. Camping by groups of more than 12 people is permitted only at designated group camping areas
- Check in time: 1:00 pm on arrival day, except 2:00 pm for cabins.
- Check out time: 11:00 am on departure day.
- Quiet hours in the park are 9 pm – 7 am
BSP has an array of options for camping, including cabins, wilderness sites, lean-tos, bunkhouses and campgrounds.
There are cabins at Kidney Pond and Daicey Pond available for rent if you’re looking for more structure. Each one is sighted beautifully and you’ll have a wonderful view the whole time. You will need to bring everything for yourself though, they are “wilderness cabins” not curated.
In previous seasons Bunkhouses were shared, but for the 2022 season they are private based on single party reservations. Bunkhouses have wooden bunks with no mattresses, no cooking facilities and no running water. So keep that in mind.
Lean-tos are hiked to, and mostly first come first serve. Davis Pond and Wassataquiok must be reserved. Each Lean-to has a maximum capacity, make sure to check that out when scouting out your lean-to.
There are a few campgrounds at trailheads, with easy access and parking, which include Abol, Katahdin Stream and Roaring Brook. These campgrounds tend to fill up fast. You have to hike into Chimney Pond, Russell Pond and Katahdin Lake. Chimney Pond has 9 lean-tos and a 10 person bunkhouse. Russell Pond has 5 lean-tos, 3 tent sites and an 8 person bunkhouse.
There are many backcountry sites scattered throughout the park. Check out the park’s website for the exact location and details of each site. Each one has it’s own maximum capacity and differing amenities.
The park has group camping sites at Bear Brook, Foster Field, Nesowadnehunk Field and Trout Brook Farm. Reservations must be made in advance.
Getting Around:
Traveling around the park is slow going, the roads are narrow, winding, and dirt. The park is broken up into a few different areas, and they’re all pretty far apart. There are the SFMA, Trout Brook Farm, South Branch Pond, Russell Pond, Roaring Brook, Katahdin, and Kidney-Daicey areas. Each area has something unique to it, and each is worth a visit. Don’t try to overschedule yourself during your visit, each hike takes time and getting around is slow. For instance, it takes two or more hours to travel between the Togue Pond Gate and the Matagamon Gate. Most people opt to travel around the park to get to the north end instead of traveling through it.
Parking:
Parking inside of the park is limited. This is what could make or break your trip if you have your heart set on a specific trail. You need a parking reservation for the Roaring Brook, Abol and Katahdin Stream parking areas if you intend to hike Mt. Katahdin. All other trailheads are first come, first serve. Once they fill up there is no getting around it unless you come back later in the day.
Parking Passes (DUPRs):
Maine residents can reserve their parking pass anytime after April 1st of that year.
Non-residents can only reserve up to two weeks before their trip.
If you have a parking reservation the gatehouse opens for you at 6am. If you do not have a parking reservation and there are unreserved spots you may also be able to get in at 6am. Reservations expire at 7:00 am, and the park begins letting people in on a first come first serve basis at 7:05am.
Often the line for parking begins to form around 5:00am. If you show up to the gatehouse at 7:00 expecting parking without a reservation, you may be out of luck for those parking areas. I would also advise to be early for the other major parking areas as well.
Best Things to Do in Baxter State Park:
1)Hike
Hiking is the number one activity at Baxter State Park. There are so many trails you could spend your whole trip hiking and not cover a fraction of them. Check out my in depth post about the best hikes at BSP. I cover everything from little ones like Little Abol Falls to Mt.Katahdin.
2)Stargaze
If you’re camping in the park, stargazing is phenomenal. Even if you’re not inside the park it is some of the best in Maine. I would highly recommend picking an open area near you to sit outside. The smaller walks to the ponds would also be a good pick. The hike to Sandy Stream Pond is phenomenal as well, just watch your step in the dark.
3)Moose Watch
Moose are out and about in the park, with the best viewing times being dawn and dusk. Moose sometimes walk down the roads around these times, or you could find them over at one of the ponds. Sandy Stream Pond is a short hike and has multiple viewing points where you may be able to catch a moose hanging out. Be cautious of moose and courteous to other people when out there. The best way to see a moose at one of the ponds is to sit for a while, still and quiet. If you stumble upon a quiet group of people watching for moose, don’t ruin their quiet by being loud.
4)Canoe
Canoeing is amazing in the park. Most of the ponds have great views of the surrounding mountains and Maine landscape. You can bring your own canoe or borrow one from BSP. Most canoes are locked, and you can get the key by the nearest ranger station. There is a chart on Baxter’s website showing where exactly you can get the key to specific canoes. Canoe rentals are done on the honor system of $1 per hour or $8 a day.
5)Bike
I have seen many cyclists on our trips to BSP. There are specific rules that the park has about biking-ie no mountain biking on trails. They are mostly restricted to the roads. Check out where you can bike in the rules section. Beware if you do choose to bike on the roads that people tend to drive faster than they should and the roads are narrow.
6)Fishing
Maine fishing laws apply, so give those a read before heading out fishing. BSP hosts some great fly fishing with Kidney Pond being a really popular and easily accessible spot.
7)Rock Climbing
BSP allows rock climbing as long as it is done in the most leave no trace ways. “Baxter State Park does not allow practices such as placing bolts on existing routes or establishing new bolt-intensive routes and chipping or gluing new holds.” The beauty of the mountains here is enough to keep you occupied on your scramble.
8)Photography
BSP is so photogenic, no matter where you are in the park you’re sure to find a spot to spend some time snapping shots. Some of the more popular spots to spend time in are Kidney Pond, Sandy Stream Pond, Stump Pond and if you’re up for the hike, Chimney Pond.
9)The Junior Ranger Program (for kids)
You can pick up a Junior Ranger Book at the gatehouses, campgrounds and visitor center. There are fun activities to familiarize yourself and your family with the park and it’s ethics.
10)Hunting
Hunting is allowed in a few areas in the park, though there is no Moose hunting or baiting allowed. All Maine hunting laws apply, I’m sure if you’re up here for hunting you’re well aware of those so I will spare you the details.
Park Rules of Note: (See their website for full set)
- No dogs are allowed in Baxter State Park.
The maximum group size of hikers is 12 people. They consider groups on the same trail “separated by less than one mile shall be considered one group” - The park has the right to turn away unprepared hikers within reason.
- No children under the age of 6 are allowed above timberline.
- Hikers must carry a working flashlight
- Fires or other cooking or heating devices are permitted only in designated campsites or
- picnic areas.
- All trash, and materials carried into the park must be carried out. There are no trash cans.
- No vehicles over nine feet high, seven feet wide, or twenty two feet long (single) or forty four (combined) may enter the park.
- No ATVs, Motorcycles beyond the Togue and Matagamon gatehouses.
- Bicycles are only allowed on the road and Dwelley Pond Trail. December 1st to April 1st they are also allowed on the Abol Stream Trail.
Pack:
Water “Potable water is not available in the park. All water sources in the Park should be considered suspect and all water should be treated.”
If you are camping in BSP, bring everything that you think you will need. There is a Hannaford and hardware store in Millinocket but that is a ways out if you forget something. Make sure to double check your gear before you leave for your trip.
Don’t Pack:
Firewood: They will not let you bring your own firewood into the park.
Generators-they don’t allow them to be used in the park.
