This Stunning Maine Trail in Baxter State Park Just Made a National List of Best Springtime Hikes

I believe it was the summer of 1994 when I made my first trip to Baxter State Park. Our group planned to hike into Chimney Pond, camp there, and then summit Katahdin. I was 14 at the time and had never been to the park—I was in for an experience I’d never forget.

Chimney Pond and its campground are truly special. To begin with, there’s a beautiful 3.3-mile hike just to reach the campground. It’s a wonderful warm-up for a Katahdin summit. And it’s now being nationally recognized as one of the most beautiful destinations, especially this time of year.

Baxter State Park's Chimney Pond Named one of the Best Trails for Springtime

The popular recreation site Outdoors Informed recently published an article on the best mountain hikes during the spring. The site included just six hikes from across the country—and wouldn’t you know it, one of the hikes listed was the Chimney Pond Trail.

Here's a little of why Outdoors Informed choice the Chimney Pond Trail:

This is a rocky trail that takes you up to Chimney Pond where the views are breathtaking... Sights include a glacial bowl with mountain ponds that ascend through a forest. At the top of the trail, you see glimpses of the North basin of Mount Katahdin.

The views are truly breathtaking, some of the absolute best in the park. And that’s saying something, considering Baxter State Park is full of stunning scenery.

The Chimney Pond Trail is One of the Most Popular in Baxter State Park

The Chimney Pond Trail is rated as moderate by the site AllTrails.com. It describes the 6.6-mile out-and-back trail as rocky, with a relatively consistent incline—and absolutely gorgeous. It’s the kind of trail that can make you forget about the chaos of everyday life.

The trail also offers one of the greatest payoffs you’ll find: the incredible view of Chimney Pond and Mount Katahdin when you reach the campground.

This is such a stunning view to experience, and hordes of people have. The Chimney Pond Campground is one of the most popular in the park, so it’s not surprising to find the trail relatively busy throughout the peak months.

READ MORE: 10 Iconic Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park in Maine

That’s why a spring trip is such a unique and beautiful experience: you get to enjoy everything the Chimney Pond Trail has to offer, but with far fewer people.

Plan Early if Wanting to Stay at The Chimney Pond Campsite in Baxter State Park

While it’s possible to hike the Chimney Pond Trail and summit Mount Katahdin in a single day, I highly recommend staying overnight at the Chimney Pond Campground. It’s simply an experience you’ll never forget. Fair warning—reservations go quickly, so be ready to book early.