Steps to success for camping in Baxter.
PARKWIDE MAP
Campground Descriptions
unless noted otherwise below,
All sites have natural water sources and none have spigots. All water should be treated.
This is a wilderness area. No cooking or sleeping supplies are available for purchase within the park.
There are no showers, only outhouses.
The park is open for day use from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
You must check-in at the gate no later than 8:30PM on your first night of camping.
Campsite check in time: 1:00 pm on arrival day, except 2:00 pm for cabins.
Check out time: 11:00 am on departure day.
Quiet hours in the park are 9 pm – 7 am.
Summer season:
Most campgrounds are open May 15
(conditions permitting, see News, Facebook, or our dedicated Park Conditions Page for updates)
except for Chimney Pond (June 1), Nesowadnehunk (Friday prior to Memorial Day), and loon-dependent Wass Lake Island (August 15) and cabin 12 at Kidney Pond (August 1)
to Oct 15,
except for Kidney, Daicey, and Katahdin Stream, which are open until Oct 22.
Katahdin Trailheads
Click to download area trail head map.
Established in 1939, Katahdin Stream is a popular family campground providing access to Katahdin via the Appalachian Trail as well as access to numerous streams and ponds in the Kidney / Daicey area.
26mi to Millinocket
12 lean-tos
10 tentsites
3 group sites holding 12, 13, and 25 people
to do:
Hike | Swim | Fish | Ski
Click on campground map to enlarge. Download by right-clicking and selecting “Save image As”.
Set in a northern hardwood forest near the base of Abol Slide, Abol is the closest campground to Togue Pond Gate and a trailhead for Katahdin hiking.
24mi to Millinocket
12 lean-tos
9 tentsites
to do:
Hike | Swim | Fish | Ski
Click on campground map to enlarge. Download by right-clicking and selecting “Save image As”.
One of the Park’s busiest campgrounds, and the most popular trailhead for hiking to Chimney Pond, and Katahdin. Roaring Brook also provides close access to the Avalanche Field trailhead for Martin Ponds, the Katahdin Lake day use shelter with day use canoes and the Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps.
26mi to Millinocket
9 lean-tos
l0 tentsites
10 person bunkhouse
3 group sites at Bear Brook (14 people per site)
to do:
Hike | Swim | Fish | Ski
Click on campground map to enlarge. Download by right-clicking and selecting “Save image As”.
Cabins
Daicey Pond is one of the Park’s most popular destinations and offers great views and fishing on Daicey Pond and hiking access to many other backcountry ponds and mountains.
10 cabins of varied design and size (wilderness type)
to do:
Hike | Swim | Canoe (rentals available) | Fish | Ski
This is a wilderness campground. You will need a sleeping bag or sheets, blankets and pillows. You will need to bring all meal supplies. There are no stores within Baxter Park to obtain food or meals. Groceries can be purchased in the nearby towns. Millinocket is located 20 miles from Togue Pond gate at the south entrance and Patten is located 24 miles from the Matagamon gate at the north entrance.
You need to bring dishes, cooking utensils, gas stove for cooking, basins for washing dishes and self, bucket to carry water from pond, cooler, gas lanterns, towels, bedding, and anything else to make you and your family more comfortable during your stay.
12 cabins of varied design and size (wilderness type)
(1 cabin requires 1 mile canoe or hike-in)
Outdoor fireplaces* for cooking and picnic tables are provided
All cabins except 3, 4, and 5 are walk-in.
*Communal fireplaces are provided for most cabins, only 3 cabins have own firering.
to do:
Hike | Swim | Canoe (rentals available) | Fish | Ski
This is a wilderness campground. You will need a sleeping bag or sheets, blankets and pillows. You will need to bring all meal supplies. There are no stores within Baxter Park to obtain food or meals. Groceries can be purchased in the nearby towns. Millinocket is located 20 miles from Togue Pond gate at the south entrance and Patten is located 24 miles from the Matagamon gate at the north entrance.
You need to bring dishes, cooking utensils, gas stove for cooking, basins for washing dishes and self, bucket to carry water from pond, cooler, gas lanterns, towels, bedding, and anything else to make you and your family more comfortable during your stay.
North End
See parkwide map
Nesowadnehunk is the most remote of the Park’s roadside campgrounds and provides easy access to Ledge Falls, a popular swimming spot during hot summer weather. This campground provides trailhead access to Russell Pond via the Wassataquoik Lake Trail and day hikes to Doubletop Mountain. Nesowadnehunk Field Campground was re-structured in 2005-2008. All leantos were moved to the former group area field and the bridge over Newowadnehunk Stream is open to foot traffic only and is used to access several walk-in tent sites.
35mi to Millinocket
11 lean-tos
9 tentsites
8 person bunkhouse
2 person cabin: “Camp Cozy”
Hike | Swim | Fish | Ski
South Branch Pond is the Park’s largest campground and is popular with families who return year after year. The campground provides trail access to local ponds in the Fowler region as well as day hikes on South Branch Mountain and North Traveler and the very challenging Traveler Loop Trail. The campground trailhead also provides access to Russell Pond Campground via the Pogy Notch Trail.
33.5 mile west of Patten.
12 lean-tos
21 tent sites
bunkhouse, capacity 8
to do:
Hike | Swim | Canoe (rentals available) | Fish | Ski
Trout Brook Farm is one of the Park’s quietest campgrounds and provides a great base for exploring Matagamon Lake and backcountry hiking and camping in the northern part of the Park.
26.5mi west of Patten.
1 lean-to, 0.3mi walk-in
14 tent sites
4 group sites
site 1, 8 people | sites 2, 3, and 4, 14 each
to do:
Hike | Swim | Canoe (rentals available) | Fish | Ski
Backcountry
Established in 1938, Chimney Pond is one of the most popular campgrounds in Baxter State Park and one of two backcountry campgrounds in the Park. Chimney Pond provides day hiking access to all Katahdin peaks and to Russell Pond Campground via Davis Pond and the Northwest Basin Trail.
Established cut-off time for leaving to hike into Chimney Pond is 5:00p.m.* No Open Fires due to accumulated environmental degradation.
*As daylight hours shorten in the fall, posted cut-off time is earlier. Please verify these cut-off times with the reservation office and make your plans accordingly.
3.3mi trail from Roaring Brook
9 lean-tos
10 person bunkhouse
Hike | Swim | Ski
Russell Pond is the most remote campground in Baxter State Park and one of two backcountry campgrounds in the Park. Russell Pond provides very good fishing in local ponds and access to Wassataquoik Stream, Wassataquoik Lake and several popular backcountry campsites.
Backpack 7.2 or 7.6 miles from Roaring Brook, or 9.6 miles from South Branch Pond. Established cutoff time for leaving to hike to Russell is 2:00 p.m.* There are no bridges over Wassataquoik Stream – rock hopping and wading. Trail access may be closed from Roaring Brook during times of high water.
*As daylight hours shorten in the fall, posted cut-off time is earlier. Please verify these cut-off times with the reservation office and make your plans accordingly.
7.2 or 7.6mi from Roaring Brook or 9.6mi from South Branch Pond.
5lean-tos
3 tent sites
8 person bunkhouse
to do:
Hike | Canoe (rentals available) | Fish | Ski
Katahdin Lake is privately owned and operates on a lease with the Baxter State Park Authority.
The camps can be reached by a 3.3 mile hike from Avalanche Field trailhead on the Roaring Brook Road within Baxter State Park.
Sites outside of campgrounds
Opening dates: All backcountry sites open May 15th – Oct 15th except Davis Pond (June 1st) and Wassataquoik Lake Island (variable opening date)
Capacity: Unless otherwise noted the tent site and lean-to capacities are four (4) person.
Amenities: Each backcountry site has a fire ring (except for Davis Pond), an outhouse, and a water source that requires treating.
Roaring Brook Area
- Martin Ponds (L) 6
- North Katahdin Lake (L) 6
- South Katahdin Lake (L) 6
So. Branch Pond Area
- Upper South Branch Pond (L)
- Pogy Pond (L)
Russell Pond Area
- Wassataquoik Stream (2Ls)
- Wassataquoik Lake Island (L) limited two nights only. Variable opening date.
Nesowadnehunk Area
- Center Pond (L)
- Little Wassataquoik Lake (L)
Chimney Pond Area
- ** Davis Pond (L) Limited to one night only.
Trout Brook Farm
- K.P. Dam (T)
Freeze Out Trail/
Webster Lake
- N.W. Cove (T)
- Little East (T) 8
- Little East (L)
- Webster Stream (L)
- Webster Outlet (T&L) 12
- Hudson (L)
- Frost Pond (L)
- * Little Coffeelos (T)
- * Telos Cut (T)
Fowler Pond Area
- Billfish Pond (T)
- Long Pond Outlet (T)
- Long Pond Pines (T)
- Lower Fowler Outlet (T)
- Lower Fowler Pond (T)
- Middle Fowler North (T)
- Middle Fowler South (T)
Matagamon Lake
(reached only by canoe)
- Togue Ledge (T)
- Pine Point (T)
- Second Lake (T)
- Boody Brook (T)
- First Lake – canoe or hike in (T)
* Public lands sites administered by Baxter Park.
**Must stay the night before either at Russell Pond, Pogy Pond, Chimney Pond, Wassataquoik Stream, Wassataquoik Lake, Wass Lake Island or Little Wassataquoik Lake.
NO OPEN FIRES PERMITTED AT DAVIS POND, due to accumulated environmental degradation. Camp stove needed.
The policy for use of backcountry sites allows for advance reservations to be made through the mail, by phone, or in person at Baxter Park Headquarters in Millinocket. Reservation may be made FOR ONLY ONE NIGHT AT DAVIS POND AND FOR ONLY TWO NIGHTS AT WASSATAQUOIK ISLAND.
Please be advised that cut-off times have been established for leaving trailheads to hike into backcountry sites
- Allow 4 – 5 hours of daylight if leaving for Hudson or N.W. Cove
- 2:00 p.m. – Leaving for Russell Pond and surrounding areas, May – August
- 5:00 p.m. – Leaving for Chimney Pond, May – August
As daylight hours shorten in the fall, posted cut-off time is earlier for these areas. Please verify these cut-off times with the reservation office and make your plans accordingly.
Group site reservations must be made by mail or in person at BSP HQ in Millinocket.
12 people maximum is the largest group size for all campgrounds in the Park. However, we have group areas located throughout the Park for all groups of 13 or more people.
Bear Brook -3 sites (#1,#2,#3) each hold 14 people (check-in by Roaring Brook Ranger)
Foster Field- (3 sites) #1 holds 12 people, site #2 holds 13 people, and site #3 holds 25 people (check-in by Katahdin Stream Ranger)
Nesowadnehunk Field- (3 sites) #1,#2,#3 all hold 16 people,
Trout Brook Farm- (4 sites), #1 holds 8 people, #2,#3,#4 all hold 14 people each.
Facilities
What does it look like when I reserve a…
When you reserve a cabin,
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Firewood is provided. Please do not bring your own.
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Beds have mattresses but no bedding materials.
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Some cabins have fire rings outside, some do not. Inquire at reservations if this is a concern.
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Cabins for rent exist only at Kidney Pond, Daicey Pond, and Nesowadnehunk campgrounds.
When you reserve a spot in a bunkhouse,
- Firewood is provided. Please do not bring your own.
- Beds are wooden bunks. Please bring a sleeping mat.
- There are no cooking facilities. Please bring your own camp stove.
- There is no running water. Please be prepared to bring/filter your own.
- You may be sharing this space with others if you have not reserved all bunks in the bunkhouse. Please be polite and civil.
Bunkhouse reservations must be made by phone, mail, or in person at BSP HQ in Millinocket (they can not be made online).
When you reserve a lean-to,
- These are basic facilities, often deep in the backcountry. Be prepared.
- Please do not modify the structure in any way (nails, hooks, etc.)
- Davis Pond and Wassataquiok Lake lean-tos must be reserved must be made by phone, mail*, or in person at BSP HQ in Millinocket.
Check your reservation form for the maximum capacity of your site. You may add additional people up to that capacity. If there are more people than the maximum capacity, an additional site will need to be reserved, keeping in mind that the group size limit in any campground is 12 people. Once the number of people in your group exceeds 12, you will need to reserve a site at another campground or in one of the designated group areas in the Park.
When you reserve a tent-site,
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- these are basic facilities, often deep in the backcountry. be prepared.
- sites have a flat area and water source.
Check your reservation form for the maximum capacity of your site. You may add additional people up to that capacity. If there are more people than the maximum capacity, an additional site will need to be reserved, keeping in mind that the group size limit in any campground is 12 people. Once the number of people in your group exceeds 12, you will need to reserve a site at another campground or in one of the designated group areas in the Park.
Generally the maximum group size for campgrounds and trails in the Park is 12 persons. However, we have (4) four group areas for all groups of 13 or more people:
- Bear Brook -3 sites (#1,#2,#3) each hold 14 people;
- Foster Field- (3 sites) #1 holds 12 people, site #2 holds 13 people, and site #3 holds 25 people;
- Nesowadnehunk Field- (3 sites) #1,#2,#3 all hold 16 people,
- Trout Brook Farm- (4 sites), #1 holds 8 people, #2,#3,#4 all hold 14 people each
Group areas must be reserved by phone, mail, or in person at BSP HQ in Millinocket (they can not be reserved online).
Please make sure your group size does not exceed the group size limit at the particular group site you reserve.
Bear Brook Shelter
Foster Field.
BRING:
Yourself through the Gate by 8:30pm.
On your first night of camping, you MUST be at Togue Pond or Matagamon Gate prior to 8:30pm, or you will be turned away for the night. This is to ensure a safe, organized, and quiet campground for all.
Water.
Potable water is not available in the park. All water sources in the Park should be considered suspect and all water should be treated.
Cooking Gear.
There are no restaurants or stores in the park. When staying at a cabin, all cooking is to be done outside. Cooking may be done on a Coleman-style stove on the porch or on the picnic table located outside. All cabins may use the community fireplace located in the lawn area. When cooking anywhere, please practice Leave No Trace principles.
Flashlight.
Illumination is REQUIRED when hiking, and quite helpful around campgrounds.
Bedding.
Bedding is not provided in any facility. Cabins have mattresses, bunkhouses have plywood bunks, but no other bedding is provided.
Everything you might need.
This is a wilderness! You need to bring dishes, cooking utensils, gas stove for cooking, basins for washing dishes and self, bucket to carry water from pond, cooler, gas lanterns, towels, bedding, and anything else to make you and your family more comfortable during your stay. Because cooking is to be done outside, we suggest that you bring a tarp and some rope (no nails please) to help keep you dry during inclement weather.
Carry in, Carry out.
Anything you bring in, you will also need to take with you. No trash facilities are provided.
DO NOT BRING:
Pets.
Pets are not allowed anywhere in the Park.
Large Vehicles, RVs, or Motorcycles.
The Park Tote Road is a narrow gravel road, and large vehicles would have trouble traveling through. Motorcycles are prohibited beyond the park’s gates. Please refer to our rules for vehicle size limits.
Generators.
These are quiet campgrounds, and they are enjoyed for their rustic feel and quiet.
Firewood.
Transporting firewood from elsewhere is a great way to spread tree pests and diseases. No firewood is allowed to be brought into the park. Where firewood is needed, it is either provided or offered for sale at a nominal rate.
More than 12 people.
unless you are reserving a group site, group size is limited to 12 people.
To make your camping experience (and everyone else’s) more enjoyable…
No Online Reservations for some sites
Reservations for these sites must be made by phone, mail, or in person:
All sites during the merry month of May
Chimney Pond and Russell Pond campgrounds
All backcountry sites
Bunkhouses
Group sites
All winter sites must be reserved by mail or in person.
Paths to Reservations
By PHONE
Call our Reservations office at
207-723-5140.
In PERSON
at BSP Headquarters, 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket, ME.
Reservation Office 207-723-5140
Winter M-F, 8am-4pm | Summer 7 days/week, 8am-4pm
Office hours are subject to change without notice.