Tetreault loved his days at baxter park and the people he worked with thereit shows in his book. Jamesa, the rules for baxter state park are necessary. I am not affiliated with the park, the advice and tips that follow are based on long personal experience. Baxter state park is a large wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park, located in northeast piscataquis, piscataquis county in northcentral maine, united states. The cabins at kidney pond in baxter state park avoiding. Baxter state park, near millinocket, maine, is listed among the states most popular state parks. Katahdin a guide to baxter state park and katahdin abebooks. We here at baxter state park are charged with upholding baxters wishes. We didnt get to do the paid loop around katahdin because they were closed however the rest of the park was fantastic and were looking forward to spending some time there during a. Baxter who donated land to start the park in 1931 and, upon his death, left two trust funds to continue the parks maintenance and operation without relying on state funding. It is also the northern terminus of the appalachian trail. Between the two of us, we have spent many days and nights in baxter state park over the years and we have hiked almost every trail on the mountain. In this maine outdoor heritage fund supported project, the bureau of parks and lands is partnering with cornerstones of science, umaines emera astronomy center and maine astronomers and trained naturalists to develop and offer star gazing programs at 12 maine state parks for campground guests and park visitors.
Friends publishes the annual baxter state park calendar in partnership with baxter state park and maine scene, a familyowned business in union, maine. If youre looking for a beautiful, remote hiking challenge, add this hike to your list. Staying inside the boundaries of baxter state park requires, in most cases, pitching a tent and roughing it. Feb 12, 2019 with more than 200,000 acres of wilderness and over 200 miles of trails, baxter state park bsp offers some of the best hiking in the eastern us. Other lower elevation spots include the park road in baxter state park and many of the logging roads above moosehead lake.
Park officials built upon seven editions of this classic work by steve clark, a longtime a. No cooking or sleeping supplies are available for purchase within the park. Centrally located in millinocket, maine in the shadow of mt katahdin, moose shed lodge is situated between the southern entrances to katahdin woods and waters national monument and baxter state park. By aislinn sarnacki, bdn staff september 1, 2016 4. Not only is there great camping, hiking, and rafting in the area, there are endless scenic views along the katahdin woods and waters scenic byway. Take i95 to medway exit 244, then head west 11 miles on route 11157 to the mill town of millinocket, the last major stop for supplies. We here at baxter state park are charged with upholding baxter s wishes. No running water is available, you must bring your own drinking water or purify water from the streams, ponds, etc. Apr 22, 2002 baxter state park and the allagash river covers two spectacular areas in the northern maine woods.
New trails illustrated waterproof map of baxter state park and mount katahdin from national geographic. There are 46 mountain peaks and ridges, 18 of which exceed an elevation of 3,000 feet, the highest being baxter peak at 5,267 feet. Campground descriptions unless noted otherwise below, all sites have natural water sources and none have spigots. While katahdin is certainly worth exploring, miles of trails and over 40 peaks reward hikers with some of the. The park was a gift to the people of maine from governor percival p. Therefore, the mission of the park is, first, to protect and preserve this forever wild area, and second, to provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy the park. Neff, a katahdin historian, has served as president of both the maine appalachian trail club and friends of baxter state park. Maine geological survey publishes baxter state park geology. Baxter state park is a fantastic model of an independent park and reserve that many land managers here in canada should be looking at. The katahdin area is breathtaking, crowned by milehigh mt. Moose are the biggest inhabitants of northern maines baxter state park.
This 200,000plusacre park in the remote northcentral part of the state is unlike most state parks you may be accustomed to in new england dont look for fancy bathhouses or groomed picnic areas. A guide to baxter state park provides details of the park hosting the northern terminus of the appalachian trail, with a fourcolor topographic map and classic essays on the greatest mountain, katahdin. Baxter state park provides many remote backcountry campsites scattered through the park. This can be done a number of ways, such as boiling for a minimum of five minutes or the application of seven drops of iodine from. Baxter state park is a premier outdoor destination in maine for good reason, and getting the best baxter state park reservation is no easy feat. Big niagara falls on nesowadnehunk stream in t3 r10 wels in baxter park 2004 location map for baxter state park at night, he saw the stars in the sky.
Baxter state park distances itself from hydroquebec project. Baxter state park, with more than 200,000 acres, is the largest park in the country purchased by one individual, former governor percival p. I was very impressed with the park rangers memoirs of his years of service at baxter state park in maine. Hiking, climbing, backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, and iceclimbing are among. The book is 268 pages of the most comprehensive information base about the park. Apr 27, 2017 baxter state park, like acadia national park, is a treasure of the state of maine. Learn why this landscape deserves such lifelong devotion.
Baxter made it his lifes magnificent obsession to create, protect, and provide to the people of maine a wilderness haven encompassing some of the most rugged terrain in the northeast. And there were some things i would have liked to know. The calendar features photos taken in the park during all twelve months of the year. Closely related to the blackpoll, it occupies similar habitat, although it is more tolerant of mixed forest. Founded in 2000, friends has grown over the past nineteen years into a vibrant organization and a trusted partner for baxter state park. Location map for baxter state park at night, he saw the stars in the sky in their fixed positions and the crescent of the moon floating like a boat in the blue. Mount katahdin, in baxter state park, is maines highest mountain. Not really a state park, it was a gift to the people of maine from just one person, percival p. It is in its sixth edition and is constantly being updated. In response to the coronavirus covid19 pandemic, we are following recommendations from the u. The old trusty trail guide to the park, with updated trail descriptions written and vetted by park staff. You enter the winter backcountry of baxter state park at your own risk.
Its store offers books, maps, baseball caps and dvds. Buy products related to baxter state park books and see what customers say about baxter state park books on. The map adventures folks have brought the clear, easyreading style of their. Baxter state park welcome to a magnificent obsession. A bibliography of books primarily devoted to percival p. Baxter state park encloses a large wilderness in northcentral maine, offering outdoors enthusiasts access to a wide range of activities. Baxter state park overview map baxter state park me mappery. Baxter state park planning a trip in baxter state park getting there baxter state park is 85 miles north of bangor. This is the bible of guide books regarding baxter state park and katahdin. Amcs comprehensive guide to hiking trails of maine, featuring baxter state park and acadia national park amc hiking guide series. Baxter state park outdoor recreation map book bondcliff books. New 2017 euthoritative guide to baxter state park, covering all trails plus history and lore.
Friends of baxter state park is an independent citizen group with a mission to preserve, support, and enhance the wilderness character of baxter state park in the spirit of its founder, governor percival baxter. Baxter state park is a gift to the people of the state of maine, to be kept in a natural wild state and as a sanctuary for wild birds and beasts. If you live in maine or new england, summiting baxter peak on katahdin is a definite for your outdoor adventure bucket list. Baxter state park operates more than 10 campgrounds and also has various backcountry sites for backpackers. Perhaps best of all, it was good to return to a wilderness campsite and discover how little had changed in 30 years, which is the last time we camped in baxter state park, the 210,000acre wilderness in northern maine. Dibble, arthur haines, jean hoekwater, marilee lovit, aaron megquier on.
The statement follows the publication of newspaper ads that used an image of katahdin. Fishing in baxter state park anglers journal a fishing. Katahdin baxter state park, located in the northeaster part of maine, one of the beautiful, almost canadian territory and park. A guide to the park s greatest hiking adventures including mount katahdin regional hiking series. Katahdin draws most of the attention in the park since it serves as the northern terminus of the at as well as maines highest summit. Baxter state park is over 200,000 acres of wilderness and public forest generously donated to the people of the state of. There are 11 camping areas throughout the park, most. But a change did happen and i you cant fuss about it now. It is administered by a special authority and is independently funded. Remote backcountry sites allow individual parties, usually a maximum of four, the opportunity to camp in isolated and primitive areas.
Baxter state park is over 200,000 acres of wilderness and public forest. Baxter state park is located in millinocket, maine. Park ranger jobs in maine how to become a park ranger in me. I actually wished the book were longer as i neared the end. The traveler loop is often overlooked, but its a gem in baxter state park. Things i wish i knew before vacationing in baxter state park. Steve tetreault writes about his recollections while being a park ranger,he puts his memories in this book for you to read and enjoy as much as he did. Any reader might well ask, on first hefting this 586page book, isnt it too long. Baxter state park millinocket 2020 all you need to know. Things i wish i knew before vacationing in baxter state.
Heres a straightforward guide to visiting baxter state park as a car camper. Jul 27, 2016 park restrictions are unforgiving, including how many people can camp there at a time. Tucked away in the remote north woods, it is an adventure seekers paradise. Mittelhauser, jensen bissell, don cameron, alison c. It is in the north maine woods region, and the katahdin woods and waters national monument borders baxter state park. Buy products related to baxter state park books and see what customers say about baxter state park books on free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Get free shipping and the best prices on mens outerwear and jackets. Nine steps to making the best baxter state park reservations.
Jul 14, 2015 thousands of people visit baxter state park every year, but youd probably be surprised to learn that of all the people in that park, at hikers be it nobos, sobos, flippers, or section hikers only make up 23% of the people coming in every year wildnotes, 2015 edition. Baxter state park was established in 1931 and covers 200,000 acres in piscataquis county. In addiiton to katahdin, coverage also includes the appalachian trail, katahdin iron works and roach ponds, and the kijo mary forest. Weve been lucky enough to visit and car camp several times a year for over three decades. With around 200 miles of maintained trails, 46 mountain peaks and ridges, baxter state park. Baxter state park trail map steven bushey, steve bushey on. I recently spent 10 days in baxter state park, and while i found a lot of articles on the various ways to hike katahdin, there was little about other hikes, places to swim, which campgrounds are the best, etc. A guide to the park s greatest hiking adventures including mount katahdin regional hiking series westrich, greg on. Friends of baxter state park is an independent citizen group with a mission to. The park covers more than 200,000 acres, encompassing its own mountain range dominated by katahdin, maines highest mountain. Baxter state park is one of maines crown jewels, even more spectacular in some ways than acadia national park. Buzz caverly first joined the ranger staff at baxter state park in 1960, when the new park was just taking shape under the direction of helon taylor and the parks donor, percival baxter, who wished the park to be forever wild. The book, part of a fiveyear project that involved dozens of. Water in baxter state park is untreated and generally unprotected.
Baxter state park now has its firstever comprehensive plant guide. Northern maine may be sparsely populated, but the baxter state park area is well worth the drive. Were sorry but the baxter state park reservation system doesnt work properly without javascript enabled. There is many interesting stories in the book that steve shares with. December 1 to march 31 consequences are magnified in winter. Bedrock geology and geomorphology and glacial geology. He saw trees, stars, animals, clouds, rainbows, rocks, herbs, flowers, stream and river, the glistening dew in the bushes in the morning, distant high mountains which were blue and pale. The cabins at daicey pond in baxter state park avoiding chores.
A guide to the geology of baxter state park and katahdin douglas w. The baxter state park authority rolling reservation system allows campers to make reservations for the park s 10 campgrounds online, by phone, in person at the park or by mail four months before their trip. Whitcomb, a retired professor, is a published authority on governor baxter and the park s creation. The book reads easily and for anyone who loves maine, the outdoors, or just a plain good storythey should read this one. Baxter state park millinocket 2020 all you need to. The health and safety of our visitors and staff is of utmost concern to baxter state park. The maine warden service said a man from rhode island has died as the result of a snowmobile crash that took place saturday afternoon in baxter state park. We took a week to snowmobile the katahdin region and made sure we rode through baxter state park. Oct 31, 2008 buzz caverlys inspiring story reveals the minefield of people and issues he negotiated to save the parks wilderness character. Camping in baxter state park friends of baxter state park. The park has more than 40 peaks and ridges and features over 180 miles of trails for hiking and mountain climbing.
Park restrictions are unforgiving, including how many people can camp there at a time. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Centers for disease control cdc and prevention along with maine cdc and other public health officials. Each backcountry site has a fire ring except for davis pond, an outhouse, and a water source that requires treating. Baxter state park in northern maine includes more than 200,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness filled with pristine ponds, miles of hiking trails and a number of mountain peaks, including mount. The baxter state park authority rolling reservation system allows campers to make reservations for the parks 10 campgrounds online, by phone, in person at the park or by mail four months before their trip. Katahdinbaxter state park waterproof trail map, by map adventures, 2011. Get free shipping and the best prices on womens outerwear and jackets. Like many boreal warblers, its proliferation often depends on the spruce budworm. When percival baxter donated the land the for baxter state park he included in the charter that maintaining the land was the primary responsibility of the baxter state park authority, everything else including recreation is a secondary responsibility. The unofficial car campers guide to baxter state park. A guide to the geology of baxter state park and katahdin. Aug 19, 2014 i recently spent 10 days in baxter state park, and while i found a lot of articles on the various ways to hike katahdin, there was little about other hikes, places to swim, which campgrounds are the best, etc.
Baxter state park is over 200,000 acres of wilderness and public forest generously donated to the people of the state. Oct 15, 2010 augusta, maine baxter state park and mount katahdin have long been treasured for their wild beauty and the outdoor recreational opportunities they offer visitors. Heres our beginners guide to the traveler loop in baxter state park, by willow. Go through town and follow signs to baxter state park. Centers for disease control cdc and prevention along. I mean theres a mile high mountain and terminus of the appalachian trail as one of the main central. Katahdin baxter state park, located in the northeaster part of maine, one of the beautiful, almost canadian territory and park offering canoeing.
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