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BAXTER STATE PARK
A night spent camping in Baxter State Park, especially in one of the remote sites, is a true wilderness experience.
RATINGS
Beauty: 5 stars
Privacy: 4 stars
Spaciousness: 4 stars
Quiet: 5 stars
Security: 5 stars
Cleanliness: 4 stars
KEY INFORMATION
Address: 64 Balsam Dr., Millinocket, ME 04462
Operated by: Maine Department of Conservation—Bureau of Parks and Lands
Information: 207—723—5140, baxterstateparkauthority.com
Open: May 15—Oct. 15, Dec. 1—March 31 (some campgrounds have variable dates)
Sites: 75 tent sites, 71 lean—tos, 5 bunkhouses, 13 group sites, and 22 cabins in 10 separate campgrounds
Each site: Fire ring, picnic table (except hike—in sites)
Assignment: Reservations strongly recommended; accepted Monday—Friday, 8 a.m.—4 p.m., otherwise first—come, first—served
Registration: At gatehouse and with ranger; check in after 1 p.m., check out by 11 a.m.
Facilities: Pit toilets, water spigots
Parking: At sites
Fee: $14 nonresident vehicle fee to enter park; $30 for campground tent or lean—to site; $20 for backcountry tent or lean—to site; $11 per person, per night for bunkhouses; $55—$130 for cabins; $7 per person, per night for group sites ($42—per—night minimum)
Restrictions: Pets: Prohibited Fires: Fire rings only Alcohol: Prohibited Vehicles: Parking at sites only
“Forever wild”—those are the words of Percival Baxter (1876–1969), a former governor of Maine, philanthropist, and conservationist who donated Mount Katahdin and the land surrounding it to the state, on the condition that it remain as he described it. “Forever wild” perfectly describes Baxter State Park as well. Its remoteness, size, and grandeur are profound. Baxter’s intent was to keep the park undeveloped. Today, it’s managed as a wildlife preserve first and as a recreation resource second.
At more than 200,000 acres, Baxter State Park is a huge place. There are actually 10 campgrounds within the park. Truth is, no matter where you end up in the park, you’re bound to have a remote wilderness experience. Eight of the campgrounds you can reach by driving; the other two are hike—in areas. Camping in these areas requires a bit of additional effort, but the solitude and splendor are well worth it. If you’re camping in Baxter State Park, by all means enjoy the convenience of the car—camping areas, but try to spend at least one night at Chimney Pond or Russell Pond, or even at one of the many truly remote wilderness campsites spread throughout the park.
After you enter the massive park through the Togue Pond Gate, along the park’s southern border, you’ll first come to is Abol Campground. It has 9 tent sites and 12 lean—tos; each lean—to can accommodate four people. Abol Campground sits at the trailhead for the Abol Trail, one of the routes to the summit of Katahdin, so this is one of several popular spots for hikers with designs on summiting the park’s centerpiece peak.
Farther up Nesowadnehunk Tote Road, which encircles the perimeter of the park, is Katahdin Stream Campground, with 9 tent sites, 12 lean—tos that can fit 3 to 5 campers, and 3 group sites that can hold from 12 to 25. From here, hikers can head to the summit of Katahdin on the Hunt Trail, which is part of the Appalachian Trail. You can also easily get to the Owl Trail and the Grassy Pond Trail heading east.
Just to the southwest of Katahdin Stream you’ll find Daicey Pond Campground. You get there by continuing north and west on Nesowadnehunk Tote Road, then heading south just before Foster Field Picnic Area. You could also hike there from Katahdin Stream Campground (or vice versa) on the Grassy Pond Trail. Daicey Pond Campground doesn’t have any tent sites, but it does have 10 cabins with two to four beds each. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the campground. Another trail encircles Daicey Pond and leads to the short Lost Pond Trail, which takes you out to the still and secluded waters of its namesake.
Continuing northwest on Nesowadnehunk Tote Road along the western border of the park brings you to Nesowadnehunk Field Campground. Here you’ll find 9 tent sites, 11 three— and four—person lean—tos, and 3 group sites. This campground has recently been restructured, so be sure to contact the rangers to make sure what you want is available. From here, you could easily get to the Doubletop Trail, a sturdy hike that takes you up and over Doubletop Mountain and offers some outrageous views of Katahdin.
Taking Roaring Brook Road off to the right from the Togue Pond gatehouse brings you first to Roaring Brook Campground. There are 10 tent sites (4 of which are walk—in sites), 9 lean—tos that accommodate anywhere from 2 to 6 people each, 3 group sites that hold up to 14, and a bunkhouse with room for 10. From here you have plenty of hiking options. Follow the Sandy Stream Pond Trail to the Turner Mountain Trail to hike up Turner Mountain. You could also head west on the Helon Taylor Trail to reach Katahdin.
Head west on the Chimney Pond Trail from Roaring Brook Campground, and you’ll come to Chimney Pond Campground. This is a remote and supremely beautiful spot. There are no tent sites here, but there are nine lean—tos that can each handle 4 people, and a bunkhouse that can fit 10. At least your tent is one less thing to carry.
Aside from being remarkably scenic, Chimney Pond Campground is a perfect base camp from which to summit Katahdin. You have your choice of the Saddle Trail, Cathedral Trail, or Dudley Trail. All of these hikes are steep and strenuous, so plan ahead and be prepared.
Also from the Roaring Brook Campground, follow the Russell Pond Trail to Russell Pond Campground, another incredibly remote and wild camping area. There are three tent sites, four lean—tos that can accommodate anywhere from four to eight people, and a bunkhouse for eight. This campground is also situated within a hub of trails, including the Russell Pond Trail and the Northwest Basin Trail (which leads to the North Peaks Trail) to the south, the Pogy Notch Trail to the north, and the Wassataquoik Lake Trail to the west. These are all fairly long hikes, so plan and pace yourself carefully, especially if you’re doing a round—trip day hike from the campground. If you’re looking for a shorter hike from Russell Pond Campground, try the Ledge Falls Trail, Grand Falls Trail, or Lookout Trail.
Entering the park from the northeast at Matagamon Gate Public Landing will get you close to the Trout Brook Farm and South Branch campgrounds. From the gatehouse, follow the road west to Trout Brook Farm Campground. This campground is primarily for tent campers, with 14 tent sites, four group sites for 8 to 14 people, and just one lean—to. From here, you can also hike in to a number of remote wilderness campsites. To the south, follow Five Ponds Trail to sites spread out along Littlefield Pond, Billfish Pond, and Long Pond. To the north, the lengthy, multiday Freezeout Trail brings you to remote campsites and lean—tos along Second Lake, Webster Brook, and Webster Lake.
From Trout Brook Campground, continue west on the road to The Crossing picnic area. Then head south on South Branch Road to find South Branch Campground, with 21 tent sites, 12 four—person lean—tos, and a bunkhouse for eight. This campground is at the northern tip of Lower South Branch Pond. From here, you can hike the short and sweet Ledges Trail or the Middle Fowler Trail.
There are also several excellent hikes to nearby peaks, including the North Traveler Trail, which leads up the mountain of the same name; the Howe Brook Trail, which follows its namesake brook past two dramatic waterfalls; and the Center Ridge Trail, which brings you to the summit of the Traveler. To the west of Upper and Lower South Branch ponds, the South Branch Mountain Trail takes you up and over Black Cat Mountain. These hikes aren’t very long, but they are very steep. Never underestimate the intensity of the hiking anywhere within Baxter State Park.
Baxter State Park is a popular destination, with a finite number of campsites in and around the park. You could wing it by not making reservations, but you might end up disappointed or driving far out of your way to find an open site. If you do get jammed, there are several private campgrounds just outside the park that provide a backup place to pitch your tent, but do yourself a favor and make a reservation. The peace of mind will be well worth it.
Getting There
To get to the Togue Pond gatehouse, follow Baxter State Park Road northwest from the intersection of ME 11 and ME 157 in Millinocket. To get to the Matagamon Public Landing gatehouse from Patten, take US 1 north to ME 159 north to Grand Lake Road. Follow Grand Lake Road to the gatehouse.
GPS COORDINATES
Matagamon Public Landing
N46° 9.291887' W68° 48.337269'
Togue Pond gatehouse
N45° 49.687600' W68° 53.402345'
