Baxter State Park
'"Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the People of Maine."' -P.P.Baxter
Maine's Baxter State Park, home of Katahdin. Katahdin is a Penobscot Indian word meaning "Greatest Mountain". The Park was a gift to the people of Maine from Gov. Percival P. Baxter. Baxter Park Headquarters is over twenty miles away in the small town of Millinocket. All visitors should stop by Headquarters to get the latest weather and hiking information, and they should buy gas and supplies in town as well. There are no stores or gas stations inside the park. Access and use is strictly regulated due to Gov. Baxter's desire to keep the Park "forever wild." Gov. Baxter's gift is in good hands, personified by the dedication of Director Buzz Caverly.
Inside the Park boundary there is no electricity, running water, or paved roads. Even the use of two-way radios, stereos, and cell phones is banned, to keep the wilderness feel. Winter hiking in the 205,000 acre (830 km²) park is strictly regulated, but increasingly popular. The Park is open to overnight camping from May 15th to October 15th. See information on the Park's website for information on new-for-2005 reservation news. Only northbound long distance Appalachian Trail hikers can stay in the Park without reservations. But even they are limited to one night's stay at The Birches camping area, and spaces there are limited to the first twelve hikers to sign in at an information kiosk several southbound trail miles away just inside the Park's southern boundary. In addition to hiking and camping, the Park allows limited hunting and fishing, some snowmobile access, and operates a small scientific forestry project.
The Park maintains an informative webpage at http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com.