*Trail Name: Chimney Pond Trail*
*Location: Baxter State Park*
*Distance: 6.6 miles*
*Elevation gain: 1463 ft*
*Difficulty: Moderate*
*Pets: Not allowed*

Chimney Pond Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Baxter State Park—and for good reason! A fantastic alternative to hiking Katahdin—the gradual trail provides hikers with stunning views of Katahdin. Hikers can complete the trail as a day hike or make a reservation to camp at Chimney Pond in a primitive lean-to.

In this blog post, I share everything you need to know before hiking to Chimney Pond in Baxter State Park—including reservation tips, how to access the trailhead, parking information, trail descriptions, campground information, as well as several insider tips for visiting Baxter State Park.

About Baxter State Park

Baxter State Park is home to several wilderness campgrounds, most of which cater to anxious adventurers from around the world hoping to summit Katahdin—the last peak on the Appalachian Trail, standing 5267’ tall. In addition to campgrounds, 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.

How To Make A Camping Reservation For Chimney Pond

If your plan is to camp overnight at Chimney Pond, you’ll need a reservation. Camping reservations can be made up to four months in advance, 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. Personally, I find calling to make a reservation easiest. Reservations for the month of May have to be made via phone, mail, or in-person.

How To Make A Day Hiking Reservation for Chimney Pond

If your plan is to day hike to Chimney Pond, you will need a Katahdin Trailhead Pass (KTP, formerly known as a parking reservation) for the Roaring Brook parking lot. KTP reservations open on April 1, and you can reserve them in advance for any day of the summer (online, by phone, or in person at the reservations office). There is a limit of 2 KTP reservations per calendar month for the months of June-October. KTPs are not required in May.

Why Do I Need A Katahdin Trailhead Pass?

The camping and parking reservation system help park staff manage the impact visitors have on Katahdin’s alpine ecosystem and trails, which experience the most use in the Park. The system also prevents overcrowding on Katahdin peaks and trails, which allows hikers to have an authentic wilderness experience.

Visitors only need to book one pass per vehicle. All passengers in a single vehicle are covered by one KTP. Visitors may hike from a Katahdin Trailhead without a KTP only if the parking lots have not reached maximum capacity from campers and KTP holders.

Preparation

To prepare for your visit to Baxter State Park, be sure to:

Review trail maps and descriptions so you know what to expect and what to pack
Share your plans with a friend (for safety reasons)
Check the weather forecast to ensure safe conditions
Pack all the Maine day hiking essentials or backpacking essentials
Review the park rules and regulations

Accessing Chimney Pond Trailhead

The trailhead for Chimney Pond is located at the Roaring Brook parking lot. Access the Roaring Book parking lot by entering Baxter State Park through the Togue Pond Gate, taking the first right, and then driving North on Roaring Brook Road until arriving at the parking lot. I also feel it’s important to share that all the roads in Baxter State Park are dirt, so make sure your car is in tip top shape prior to your trip.

All vehicles entering the park are required to stop and check-in with the ranger at the gatehouse. They will ask if you are visiting for the day or camping in the park. Be prepared to provide them with a copy of your camping reservation or KTP, as well as a form of I.D (license, passport, etc.). They will give you a map of the park, a parking pass, a copy of park rules and regulations, and a campground map (if you’re camping at Chimney Pond).

Parking

Once you arrive at the Roaring Brook parking lot, you will see that one side of the lot is for day use parking and the other is overnight (camping) parking. Be sure to park on the correct side of the parking lot that corresponds to your reservation. There are primitive outhouses available for use in the parking lot. After parking, be sure to sign in at the ranger’s cabin. The sign-in sheet helps park staff know who is going where, so they know where to come looking for you if you get lost or injured. The latest you can begin the ascent into Chimney Pond is 5:00p.m., so be sure to plan accordingly.

Chimney Pond Trail

After walking past the ranger’s cabin, follow trail signs for Chimney Pond Trail. The first 0.5 miles is a nice, gradual climb that follows Roaring Brook. The trail is mostly dirt at this point, with some scattered rocks.

The gradual ascent is filled with wooden platforms and walkways, rock stairs, streams, small ponds, etc. Although the trail continues to rise in elevation, it does so very gradually and provides much needed breaks every so often. The trail is primarily rocky, which can be challenging for some. Be sure to wear footwear with good traction and bring hiking poles if needed, for extra support.

About 2 miles in, there will be a path on the right to Basin Ponds. I strong encourage everyone to explore this view point, as it brings you to a stunning, crystal-clear pond. Surrounding the pond are gorgeous pine trees, as well as views of Pamola Peak, Hamlin Ridge, Blueberry Knoll, etc. Swimming is allowed at these ponds (it’s not permitted at Chimney Pond) making this is a great place to cool off. After visiting the ponds, the trail continues to incline for about a mile before arriving at Chimney Pond.

The Summit

Chimney Pond is a clear-water pond with dramatic views of several Katahdin peaks. The pond is frequented by wildlife and is a great sunrise spot. It’s one of my favorite viewpoints in all of Baxter State Park—I can honestly say that I enjoy it more than the view from Baxter Peak.

Chimney Pond Campground

Chimney Pond Campground is a backcountry campground located in the south basin of Katahdin. The campground has 9 lean-tos, a bunkhouse, a day-use picnic shelter, primitive toilets, and a bear line for hanging food. Swimming is not allowed in the pond—only rock hopping. The pond water can be used as a water source, but it should be boiled or filtered before drinking. Open fires are not allowed in the campground.

Chimney Pond Campground Activities

Hiking

There are several hikes you can access right from Chimney Pond.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Baxter Peak (mileage varies, difficult)

There are multiple trail options for summiting Baxter Peak from Chimney Pond. The most gradual option is ascending and descending via the Saddle Trail, which is approximately 4.6 miles. If you want to do a loop hike to summit Baxter Peak, you could hike Dudley Trail > Knife Edge > Baxter Peak > SOMETHING> Saddle Trail > Chimney Pond—this hike would be approximately 5.7 miles. Knife Edge is exactly how it sounds—very steep and daunting for those that are afraid of heights or those new to hiking.

Pamola Caves (1.2 miles, moderate)

Follow the Dudley Trail for 0.2 miles, and then take a left onto the Pamola Cave Trail and follow that for another 0.4 miles. Enjoy climbing boulders, squeezing through narrow passages, and crisp, refreshing air from the caves.

Hamlin Peak (mileage varies, difficult)

Explore the quiet, lesser-traveled Katahdin peak that provides breathtaking views of the North Basin. Hikers can take the Saddle Trail (2.3 miles) or the North Basin Trail > Hamlin Ridge Trail (2 miles).

Nature Watching

There is plenty of wildlife at Chimney Pond Campground. Campers can bird watch with binoculars or wake up before sunrise to spot a moose crossing the pond.

Insider Tips for Visiting Chimney Pond

What to Pack
Chimney Pond is a backcountry campground. Essentially, this means that they provide the “wilderness” (lean-to) and you have to bring literally everything else. You will need to bring tools for water collection and filtration, food and cooking supplies, a garbage bag, bedding, as well as anything else you will need to be comfortable. I would strongly advise that you bring a first aid kit, flashlights and/or headlamps, and a paper map of the park. If you do not backpack frequently, be sure to check out my backpacking checklist and hiking essentials to help with packing.
What NOT to Pack
It’s also important to know what NOT to bring camping in Baxter State Park. Pets of any kind are not allowed in the park for the protection of wildlife, plants, and other precious ecosystems. Motorcycles are prohibited inside the park, as are large RV’s, generators of any kind, and firewood from outside the park.
Be Smaht and Bring Cash
Having cash on hand is always smart—especially when visiting Baxter State Park. It’s helpful for paying for gas or a tow in emergencies, or paying campground fees if you decide to change your plans. I usually take out around $100 in cash any time I go on a camping trip.
Best Time to Visit
In my humble opinion, Chimney Pond is the most enjoyable during the Summer (June-September) months when temperatures are welcoming to activities such as hiking and swimming.
There is no cell phone service in Baxter State Park, therefore it is recommended that you bring some kind of satellite communication device, in case of an emergency. I personally love my mini Garmin InReach.

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. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of places like Baxter State Park for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.

Interested in more insider Maine camping tips and recommendations? You can find them all here.

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With Love,

MyMaine

The Best Hike In Baxter State Park: Breathtaking Chimney Pond Trail