The Largest State Park In Maine Is Worth A Multi-Day Adventure

If you love Maine's wilderness, there is a good chance that you have visited Baxter State Park at least once.  The park, which is home to Mount Katahdin, is the largest state park in the State of Maine.  However, you may be surprised to find out just how massive the park really is!  it is so large that you really need several days to fully explore the park.

The Origin

According to the Wikipedia article about the park, it was created by a series of over two dozen land donations by Maine Governor Percival P. Baxter.  Over the span of three decades (1931 to 1962), he made 28 land donations of land in Maine's vast northern wilderness.  At the heart of that land was Mount Katahdin.

Governor Baxter's love for the park started during a 1920 trip to Mount Katahdin. It is clear that he felt a great love for Maine's highest peak.  He once reportedly said:

Man is born to die. His works are short-lived. Buildings crumble, monuments decay, and wealth vanishes, but Katahdin in all its glory forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.

The Park

So, just how big is the park?  It encompasses just over 200,000 acres of land.  To put that in perspective, the park is about 1/3 the size of the State of Rhode Island.

The park has several notable landmarks.  Of course there is Mount Katahdin, which is just about one mile high.  There are also several significant lakes including Grand Lake Matagamon, Webster Lake, and Nesowadnehunk Lake.

The park is also teaming with local wildlife.  Visitors who spend enough time in the park can expect to see bear, deer, moose, raccoons, and other small critters.  Clearly, you should enjoy the wildlife from a distance.  Wild animals can be dangerous.  Plus, you don't want to disturb them!

Attractions

The park has so much to offer.  It is open for both summer and winter camping.  The summer camping season runs from May 15 to October 15 and winter camping from December 1 to March 31.  Keep in mind, that there is no electricity or running water within the boundries.  This is not for people who like to "glamp".  It is for people who really want to rough it.

Surprisingly, some of the park is open for hunting and trapping.  About 25% of the park is open for hunting and the park is open for fishing (in accordance with the standard Maine fishing laws).

In the winter, there are certain parts of the park that are open for snowmobiling.  Snowmobilers can use their snow machines on the Tote Road, a  46-mile dirt road connecting the park's south gate at Togue Pond and the north gate at Matagamon.

Learn more about what the park has to offer at the Baxter State Park website.