A Guide to Baxter State Park Reservations
Percival Baxter worked tirelessly to create a sanctuary of the most beautiful lakes, rivers, mountains, and wildlife in northern Maine. Word spread fast about the Park’s challenging yet beautiful terrain and every year, the number of visitors grew. To ensure the park remains wild, rules and processes around hiking and camping were implemented, including a reservation system. Although necessary, this system can be challenging to navigate.
In this blog post, I will be sharing everything you need to know about hiking and camping reservations at Baxter State Park—what requires a reservation, when to make a reservation, how to make a reservation, the best time of year to visit, insider tips, and more!
About Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park caters to adventurers from all over the world, most of which are hoping to summit Katahdin, the final peak on the Appalachian Trail, standing 5267’ tall. In addition to it’s 337 campsites and 215 miles of trails, the park has over 209,000 acres of forest, lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers, all surrounded by rugged mountains. Baxter State Park is known for its commitment to conservation, maintaining a "forever wild" status with minimal development to preserve its natural beauty and diverse wildlife.
What do I Need a Reservation for?
Hiking
All Katahdin trailheads require a Katahdin Trailhead Pass (KTP) if you are not camping the night before you hike. The Katahdin Trailheads are Roaring Brook, Abol, and Katahdin Stream. Even if you are not hiking any of the trails that go to Katahdin, you will still need a Katahdin Trailhead Pass because you are parking at a Katahdin Trailhead. All other trailheads (Traveler Loop, Doubletop, The Brothers, etc.) do not require a parking pass.
Camping
All campgrounds, including the backcountry campsites, require reservations to be made in advance.
When to Make a Reservation
Hiking
Starting on April 1st, you can reserve Katahdin Trailhead Passes in advance for any day of the summer. There is a limit of two reservations per calendar month for the months of June-October. Katahdin Trailhead Passes are not required in May.
Camping
Camping reservations can be made up to four months in advance. This table can help you pinpoint the exact date you should call to make a reservation.
How to Make a Reservation
If you are planning a trip during the Summer and Fall (June-October), camping and hiking reservations can be made either via phone (207-723-5140), in person at the Baxter State Park headquarters in Millinocket, via mail, or online using the Baxter State Park website. The reservation office is open seven days a week in the Summer, from 8:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Reservations for the month of May, Chimney Pond, Russell Pond, backcountry sites, bunkhouses, and group sites, must be done via phone, mail, or in-person.
In my experience, I have found that calling when the office opens at 8:00a.m. to make a reservation is easiest, especially if you need advice on where to go and what to do.
Reservation Fees
Katahdin Trailhead Passes are $10.00 per day. If you are not a Maine resident, you will also have to purchase a gate pass, which are $20.00. Or you can buy a season pass for $50.00.
Click here for the most up-to-date information on camping fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have a camping reservation, do I need a gate pass?
No, as long as you are camping in the park the night BEFORE you are hiking.
How many Katadin Trailhead Passes do I need?
Only one per vehicle.
Which trailheads are the Katahdin trailheads?
Roaring Brook Campground, Abol Campground, and Katahdin Stream.
Insider Tips
Not sure what to pack for hiking Katahdin? Click here for a packing list.
Not sure what to pack for backpacking in Baxter? This post can help.
Katahdin translates to “greatest mountain” so calling it Mount Katahdin is like saying mount great mountain. Skip the “mount” and just call it Katahdin.
To help secure a high-demand reservation (Chimney Pond lean-to’s, Kidney Pond, Daicey Pond) you’ll want to call right when the reservation office opens at 8:00a.m. This is especially true for July and August reservations.
If you want to secure a weekend reservation for a high-demand campsite, book a reservation for Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday. Then call and cancel the extra nights you won’t be using two weeks before your trip so you can get refunded that money and keep the weekend days.
Another way to secure a weekend reservation for a high-demand campsite is to book a night or two somewhere less busy in the park followed by however many nights you want to spend at the desired campsite. You can always get refunded for reservations as long as you cancel two weeks in advance.
Leave no Trace
When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. It’s as simple as picking up after yourself, staying on the trails, and leaving nature just as beautiful as you found it. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.
Interested in more Maine hiking information and tips? You can find them all here.
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With love,
My Maine
