This Gorgeous, Underrated State Park In Maine Belongs On Every Hiker's Bucket List

As the largest of the New England states, Maine's size and unique landscapes offer visitors multiple different types of adventures. From scenic drives along the craggy coast to picture perfect lakeside getaways, Maine is an outdoor lover's heaven. This is especially true for hikers. Well over 1,000 trails crisscross the state, and some of the best of all are at Baxter State Park, a vastly underrated park that all hikers should put on their bucket list.

The park is named in honor of former Maine governor Percival Baxter, who purchased and donated over 6,000 acres land to the state in 1931. Today, Baxter State Park comprises over 200,000 acres of pure Maine wilderness. Hikers will love this secluded park. It has over 200 miles of hiking trails, serves as the northern terminus of the famed Appalachian Trail, and is the home of Mt. Katahdin, Maine's highest peak and one of the most iconic ridges in New England.

This ruggedness is immediate to anyone who visits Baxter State Park. Located in the northern area of the state, about 2 hours away from the nearest major Maine city of Bangor, the park's remoteness can make goings difficult. Roads in the park are rough, and there is a $12 entry fee for non-Maine residents. The entry point is the old mill town of Millinocket, which is the last place to stop for supplies before you enter the park.

Standing at 5,269 feet, Mt. Katahdin is the highest, most recognized, and beloved peak in all of Maine. With over 4,000 feet of elevation gain and difficult terrain, Katahdin is not a hike for beginners, especially in the wintertime. However, mindful, prepared hikers should be able to complete a round trip hike of the mountain in 8 to 10 hours. So, if you want to tackle Katahdin, better make a full day of it.

Before attempting to hike the mountain, it is important to know that there is a reservation system for parking at the trailheads. These are first-come-first-serve spots that need to be booked in advance at the Baxter State Park Website. There are several different trails that lead to Katahdin's summit. None are what anyone would call easy, but there are some that are less difficult than others.

The Cathedral Trail, for example, is an extremely difficult journey thanks to its steep incline and rocky terrain. The Knife's Edge Trail, which is one of the mountains most iconic routes, is similarly difficult thanks to a thin section of exposed trail with drop-offs on both sides. The Chimney Pond Trail is your best bet for a moderate hike, as it has the shallowest incline and is heavily wooded. Either way, the views at the summit are well worth the effort to get there. 

Mount Katahdin is certainly a challenge for any hiker, but it isn't for everyone. Thankfully, there are plenty of other more moderate and easy-going hiking trails for visitors to experience. Right by the Togue Pond Gatehouse, which is the southern entrance of the park, is the Cranberry Pond Trail. It's a short trail that laces its way through a cranberry bog on elevated wooden boardwalks. If you fancy paddling, you can also head over to Togue Pond to rent a canoe and get a great view of Katahdin on a clear day. Another excellent paddling experience is the Trout Brook canoe exploration at Trout Brook Campground in the northern quadrant of the park. 

Fishing is an excellent activity to take part in at Baxter State Park. With over 50 ponds and numerous small streams, anyone with a valid Maine Fishing License can cast for the state's famous native brook trout. Fishing season runs from April 1 to September 30, so there is plenty of time to get up to Maine for an adventure.

The park is also filled with several campgrounds that are open throughout the season to visitors. While reservations are required, getting a tent here is going to be far easier than reserving a spot at the more popular and crowded Acadia National Park. Maine is more than the coast, and anyone looking for a tremendous adventure inland needs to check out Baxter State Park.