Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park, a wilderness area of 209,501 acres, was a gift to the State of Maine by former Governor Percival P. Baxter. In 1930 he made his first land purchase of 5,960 acres, which included Katahdin, the tallest 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 some 200 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 |
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| 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.
Contacting the park
64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, Me. 04462
(207) 723-5140
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