News

Limited Parking at Millinocket Headquarters on 3/19/2024

On March 19th, our Park Headquarters in Millinocket is hosting a training with the Maine Forest Service, which will lead to limited parking in our visitor parking area. However, our reservations office is still open, and visitors can park in nearby locations to access the office.

The solar eclipse in April coincides with northern Maine’s mud season

On the afternoon of April 8, a total solar eclipse will pass through the Katahdin region of Maine. This event is a rare and special occasion for our state. The path of totality will pass directly over Katahdin, Millinocket, Patten, and many other communities in the region. People from all over Maine and the country plan to visit the Katahdin region to view the eclipse. Some have expressed interest in watching it from a special spot in the wilderness – perhaps a remote lakeshore, viewpoint, or mountain summit, and perhaps in Baxter State Park, where Katahdin is located.

Early April is mud season in the Maine woods – one of the few times of year that you truly “can’t get there from here”, as the Maine saying goes. Baxter State Park is closed to most uses during April. The weather and conditions on the ground are impossible to predict, and this year is no exception. Sometimes there is still deep snow or even deeper mud that impairs travel. Roads can still be covered in snow and ice, and some remain as snowmobile trails with no wheeled vehicular access. Streams and rivers are often flooded with snowmelt and impossible to cross. If ice is still on the lakes and ponds, it is thinning and becomes unreliable as a travel surface. Much of Katahdin is still covered in snow, with drifts more than 20 feet deep in places.

Every spring we are called by motorists who tried to drive to Togue Pond Gate, when the road is not yet open, who either get stuck in mud or go off the road due to ice. We try to help, but, understandably, there are times when no tow truck is willing to risk driving in to get the vehicle out until the road reopens. On the mountain, even in late March, day climbers often experience firm footing on their way up, but very unstable and risky footing by the time they descend. Above treeline, their footsteps through slush and onto the alpine vegetation can crush or uproot and kill plants, leaving bare areas that may take decades to revegetate.

Because of these conditions, and because alpine surfaces are so sensitive to damage from foot traffic, all trails on Katahdin are closed during April; all roads in Baxter State Park are closed in April; and the Park is completely closed to camping in April. Even in areas where access is not explicitly prohibited, attempting to hike, drive, or camp off the beaten path at this time of year is unwise. It can cause severe damage to our roads, trails, and ecosystems, and to those of our neighboring landowners, who make access to Baxter possible through their lands. These annual seasonal closures are also important safety measures that should not be ignored, even for a special occurrence like a full solar eclipse.

The Katahdin region is excited to welcome visitors for the eclipse. Many excellent viewing locations have been designated as “Star Parks” in and around our communities, and some businesses and organizations are planning special events for the weekend and April 8.

If you come to the Katahdin region for the solar eclipse, please keep your tires on the paved road and your boots on the sidewalks of our communities. Since they are largely inaccessible during mud season, the Katahdin region’s backcountry conserved lands are best incorporated into your plans as a backdrop for your solar eclipse view.

Water crossings become unreliable as the ice thaws in spring.

Tote Road Update

Yesterday’s storm brought enough snow that the Park’s Tote Road is now accessible by snowmobile.

PLEASE REMEMBER:

  • The Tote Road is the only place in the park where snowmobiles are allowed. DO NOT FOLLOW snowmobiles tracks that lead off the TOTE ROAD.
  • The speed limit is a maximum of 20 MPH throughout the entire park. The Tote Road is a shared trail used by snowmobiles, hikers, skiers, and bicyclists.
  • The Tote Road is not groomed, and you may encounter fallen trees, washouts, and iced-over areas.
  • Snowmobilers are required to sign in and out of the Park using the registers located at Togue Pond and Matagamon Gates.
  • There are no services for snowmobiles in the Park- no gas, no food, no trash receptacles. The Park is a wilderness area and requires that you carry all you need in and all trash out.
  • Snowmobiles may be used on the Tote road to reach, or get closer to, trailheads and campgrounds; the Tote Road is not managed as a recreational snowmobile route.

What you need to know about the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse and Baxter State Park

In early April, there is no access to Katahdin or the Traveler Range, and limited access to other locations within Baxter State Park. Those wishing to view the April 8th solar eclipse should be aware of the seasonally restricted access and consider making alternative plans.

  • While the Park is open year round, access to much of the Park is completely restricted with the remainder being somewhat limited each April.
  • Seasonal access restrictions are the result of the Park’s primary mission of protecting natural resources, and of logistical difficulties for access to wilderness areas in northern Maine at this time of year. 
  • The conditions on the day of the eclipse (e.g., snow depth and coverage, lake ice depth, seasonal road conditions) will only be reliably predictable about two weeks in advance of that day.

We recommend that those interested in viewing the solar eclipse in the Katahdin Region seek viewing locations that are outside of the Park.

Daicey Pond Cabin Repair Project to Begin Construction in May 2024

As we approach the construction phase of this exciting project, we’d like to remind our visitors in advance of the opening of summer reservations that the Daicey Pond Campground will be closed for camping from May 2024 to April 2025 to repair the cabins for continued public use.

Daicey Pond Project Updated Announcement- January 2024

For more information on the status of this project, please visit our dedicated webpage.

Park Conditions Update

Hikers entering the park along the Appalachian Trail should be aware that the boardwalk and bridge structure crossing the Grassy Pond Outlet, approximately 0.5 mile south of Katahdin Stream Campground, has been damaged during recent flooding events. While the structure is still in place, it is unstable and crossing it is not recommended. A temporary reroute is planned and will be marked by Park staff with orange flagging, but the reroute will still require an unstable water crossing. Hikers who wish to avoid the risk of an open water crossing should utilize the Blueberry Ledges Trail that travels ~4.0 miles from Abol Bridge Parking Area to the Birches. Repairs expected in early summer 2024.