Baxter State Park is a wilderness sanctuary and forest preserve located in north-central Maine, covering over 200,000 acres near the city of Millinocket. There are more than 200 miles of hiking trails, some being over 100 years old and offering short easy hikes, as well as advanced all-day climbs in a pristine wilderness environment. Facilities are limited, so hikers should come prepared to meet nature head-on.
Terrain
Even the flattest terrain in this expansive wilderness park is by no means tame. Streams are numerous with few bridges, while boulders, rocks and roots are your constant companions on these trails. Hiking conditions vary according to season and individual trails, as well as weather variations. The park rangers assign a "hiking class" every day to give guidelines for the most popular trails.
Equipment
While hikers are encouraged to bring any equipment that ensures their own comfort, the only required item for hiking in the Baxter State Park is a flashlight or headlamp. A map is also strongly recommended, and can be purchased at the Park Headquarters or the Park's Visitor Center. A list of additional suggested equipment can be obtained after you arrive, or from their website. Safety in this park is the responsibility of individual hikers.
Facilities
Dozens of picnic and campsites throughout the park can be reached by various trails. Hikers and campers should be aware that facilities are rustic and roads are unpaved. There is no electricity or running water anywhere in the park, and bathroom facilities are limited to outhouses. Bringing your own firewood into the park is prohibited, but it can be purchased from various roadside campgrounds within the park.
Long Distance Hikes
Maine's highest mountain is Baxter Peak on Katahdin, which terminates at the northern end of the Appalachian Trail in the Baxter State Park. This is a long-distance hike, and campsites are available for hikers embarking on this trail. Reservations for The Birches, Katahdin Stream Campground or Abol Campground are strongly recommended and can be obtained by calling the Baxter State Park Headquarters at 207-723-5140. After October 15th, there is no camping available, and access for hiking this trail is determined on a daily basis.
Day Hikes
Day use maps are available at the Visitor's Center for those with limited time to explore the park's vast natural environment. When entering from the Togue Pond Gate entrance, recommended trails include Cranberry Pond, Togue Pond (with canoe rentals available for very low fees per hour), Caverly Pond and Abol Pond (with picnic facilities). For a longer four-hour hike, there is Daicey Pond, which offers the chance to hike about a mile walk down Nesowadnehunk Stream to Big and Little Niagara Falls. There is also a popular hike to Katahdin Stream Falls that is about a mile and leads to a bridge across the foot of the falls. If you are entering the park from the Matagamon Gate, check out the Horse Mountain trailhead, as well as Trout Brook and South Branch Pond.
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