Friends of Baxter State Park

Friends of Baxter State Park Friends of Baxter State Park strives to inspire passion for the Park’s wild character in the spirit of Percival Baxter.

We promote exemplary use, natural resource stewardship, and a healthy Katahdin region to ensure the Park forever remains a refuge. The focus of our efforts is Baxter State Park, a wilderness area in northern Maine covering 209,644 acres. The Park includes the state's tallest peak, Katahdin, and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. This spectacular area was given to the people of Maine b

y Governor Percival P. Baxter beginning in 1931, with the provision that it be used for recreational purposes and "left forever in its natural wild state as a sanctuary for wild beasts and birds." Despite its name, Baxter State Park it is not part of the Maine State Park system, and is not funded by tax dollars or governed by the State legislature. It is managed by the Baxter State Authority and is largely funded by a trust set up by Governor Baxter. Friends of Baxter State Park is dedicated to maintaining Baxter's vision of this special place as "Forever Wild".

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Chimney Pond. The single most iconic glacial tarn in all of Baxter St...
06/17/2026

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Chimney Pond. The single most iconic glacial tarn in all of Baxter State Park. Accessible to hike from the Roaring Brook Parking area, a KTP will be required to hike to this location, even if a full summit is not planned. From point to point, this hike is about 3 miles, and will gain about 1,500ft of elevation. Chimney Pond is shadowed by the towering walls of South Basin, with Knife Edge sitting atop.

📸 Bill Bentley

06/13/2026

Soon to be in residence: Baxter State Park's first ever Visiting Writer!

Baxter State Park proudly welcomes Faith Lane, a Maine poet who specializes in writing poetry about lost or forgotten people, places, and practices. While in residence from Monday, 6/15 - Sunday, 6/21, Faith will host two events. All summer season events are free & open to all Park visitors. If you plan to visit or camp in the Park during Faith Lane's residency, we invite you to join us at the Kidney Pond Library for these events!

On Wednesday, 6/17, from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m., she will lead a dark sky poetry workshop, in which she will not only help visitors identify constellations and the voices of the night, but will assist interested visitors in writing about their experiences within the Park. Visitors should bring their own red light headlamp.

On Saturday, 6/20, from 5 - 6 p.m., Faith will read a selection of poems completed during her BSP residency. Her poetry will celebrate topics such as darkness, the night sky, mythology, and BSP's magnificent landscapes and natural communities.

To learn more about these and other scheduled programs for the 2026 summer season, visit our What's New This Year page on our website: https://baxterstatepark.org/whats-new-this-year

This week on Did You Know? We're exploring the Common Loon!One of Maine's most iconic birds, the Common Loon is famous f...
06/12/2026

This week on Did You Know? We're exploring the Common Loon!

One of Maine's most iconic birds, the Common Loon is famous for its haunting and unmistakable calls. Its signature wail is often used to communicate with its mate across long distances on lakes and ponds.

Loons are easy to identify by their striking black-and-white plumage, straight, stout black bill, and distinctive red eyes.

These birds nest on freshwater ponds and lakes throughout the state, especially in areas with little to no human activity. Because loons only come onto land to nest, their nests are typically built just a few feet from the water's edge. Heavy recreational activity can make nesting difficult, as wakes from motorized boats create waves that can damage nests, wash away eggs, or threaten young chicks.

Did you know that, unlike most birds, loon bones are solid rather than hollow? This adaptation helps them dive efficiently but makes taking flight more challenging. To become airborne, loons need a long stretch of open water, running across the surface while vigorously flapping their wings—sometimes for a quarter mile or more before lifting off.
Because they require open water to take flight and feed, loons are migratory in Maine. As winter approaches and inland waters freeze, they move to coastal waters or migrate farther south. During the winter months, their dramatic black-and-white breeding plumage changes to a more subdued gray coloration.

Have you ever heard a loon call across a quiet Maine lake or pond?

📸 Laurie Rich

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Katahdin Lake. The Katahdin Lake parcel located within a Conservation...
06/10/2026

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Katahdin Lake. The Katahdin Lake parcel located within a Conservation Easement was added to Baxter State Park in 2006. Katahdin Lake is accessible from the Avalanche Field parking area. There are two lean-to's that can be reserved. The North Katahdin Lake lean-to is accessible by hiking the first 1.7 miles, and taking a left at the first trail intersection, heading towards Martin Ponds. After passing Martin Ponds, a left at the next trail intersection, and another 1.8 mile hike will bring you to the North Katahdin Lake lean-to. South Katahdin Lake lean-to is accessible again by the first 1.7 miles of trail from Avalanche Field, and then taking a right at the first trail intersection, and hiking another 1.3 miles to find the lean-to and a day use area.

📸 Ross Knowlton

06/08/2026

NOTICE: As of 6/8/2026, the bridge at Katahdin Stream Falls is closed for replacement. All Hunt Trail (or AT) hikers should utilize the bypass trail that begins at the Katahdin Stream Ranger Station. This bypass is marked with blue flagging.

This week on Know Before You Go! Day hiking opportunities throughout Baxter State Park. If driving into the Park the day...
06/05/2026

This week on Know Before You Go! Day hiking opportunities throughout Baxter State Park. If driving into the Park the day of your hike, travel time on the tote road should be included in your total time available since it does impact the amount of time you'll have to recreate. That being said, if you're camping in the Park, and seeking some shorter hikes there are a handful of opportunities! In the southern part of the Park, coming through Togue Gate available shorter hikes could include, Cranberry Pond trail, Caverly Pond via the Rum Pond trail, Daicey Pond Nature Loop, Big and Little Niagra Falls on the Appalachian Trail, Grassy Pond, Elbow Pond, Katahdin Stream Falls, Blueberry Ledge Trail, and Sandy Stream Pond. A full day of hiking could include a hike of Doubletop, OJI, or Sentinel Mountain. Through the Matagamon gate, you could hike Horse Mountain, Trout brook Mountain, South Branch or Black Cat Mountains, or into Howe Brook. This is not an exhaustive list of day hike opportunities in the Park. If you're planning a hike in the Park, be sure you have a map and are familiar with the terrain that trail covers. Remember to carry in your backpack, a headlamp, a first aid kit and gear repair items, cold weather layers and wind protection just incase, more food than you need, a minimum of 2L of water, navigational aid, sun protection, and matches, a lighter or steel and flint.

📸 Elizabeth Hutson

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Pogy Pond. Located in the heart of the backcountry Pogy Pond is only ...
06/03/2026

This week on Wilderness Wednesday, we're featuring Pogy Pond. Located in the heart of the backcountry Pogy Pond is only accessible by trail. From the north, leaving out of the South Branch Campground a nearly 6 mile hike, starting along side Lower and Upper South Branch Pond and then hike into and along Pogy Notch. Pogy Pond is accessible from the south through Roaring Brook Campground, hiking into Russell Pond, and continuing on north into Pogy Notch for an additional 3.3 miles, a 10+ mile day. There is a canoe at this lean-to for exploration of the pond. From the western side of the pond you'll be rewarded with views of Peak of the Ridges, and Traveler. Be sure to alert the resident beavers of your arrival or you could be subjected to a tail slap on the water, as we were in 2021 when we, inadvertently, surprised them. To reserve the Pogy Pond lean-to you're required to call the reservations office at 207-723-5140.

📸 Hope Rowan

Due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control we have had to make the difficulty decision to cancel our Wi...
06/03/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control we have had to make the difficulty decision to cancel our Winter Hill Brewing event that was scheduled for this Friday, June 5th. If you know someone planning to attend this event, please pass this along to them. Anyone that was registered for this event should have been notified already. We hope to connect with you at one of our other events this year!

05/31/2026

Want to deepen your knowledge of the Park's natural and cultural history during your visit? We've lined up a robust schedule of educational programs, walks, and activities for the 2026 summer camping season!

All educational events in BSP are free and open to all Park visitors. You can learn more about each of these programs and view our full summer line-up on the "What's New This Year" page of our website: https://baxterstatepark.org/whats-new-this-year/

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137 High Street, Suite #4
Belfast, ME
04915

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