Baxter State Park Opens To Hiking And Camping

After delaying the season, Baxter State Park is now fully open for summer recreation.

Officials at Baxter State Park have fully opened the park after a gradual start to the season. As of July 1, the park is open to camping and hiking. All Katahdin trails, except Dudley trail, are open. In addition, all publicly accessible roads and public facilities are open.

Bunkhouses and the Baxter State Park headquarters building in Millinocket will remain closed. Those with bunkhouse reservations will be contacted by the park for refunds, credits, or transfers.

Park officials ask visitors to "carry a mask or cloth face covering, and wear it when physical distancing is not possible; carry hand sanitizer with you and use before and after touching high-touch surfaces; practice physical distancing."

Prior to July 1, the park was open for day use only. On June 15 the park opened the Togue Pond and Matagamon gates to vehicles; expanding recreation access to more than 60 miles of trails, fishing access on more than 25 ponds and 7 streams, as well as several day use and picnic areas. Hiking above the treeline was prohibited.

Back in May, fires burned 45-acres on land within the park. As a result, park officials closed the Appalachian Trail and Foss and Knowlton, Blueberry Ledges, Abol Pond and Abol Stream trails. As of June 1, the effected trails have reopened.