green_mtns
Member
- Joined
- August 31, 2005
- Messages
- 44
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- City, State
- Colchester, VT
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '98 Saturn SL2 heheh
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park is AWSOME!!!!
I have been going to this park for three years now. Incredible off road back country for all makes and models of vehicle. The wildlife is amazing the last half of May. Thinking about going Late spring, early summer though. Reservations need to be made now in order to get the best leanto or tent sites. This place is literaly in the boonies. 25 miles one way on a narrow rocky dirt road just to get to the campsites and trail heads! Check out the details below!
Let's get this trip planned now before it's too late! I recommend Nesowadnehunk Field Campground because it's the midway point for exploring the vehicle trails. I figured explore north of camp one day, then south of camp another, or on the way home. Roaring brook is very popular for light hiking and getting Amazing pictures of Maine's highest peak and the wildlife!
- Dan
Click for details!
Mount Katahdin!
The Trails!
Road Conditions for Baxter State Park
Traveling on roads in Baxter State Park is like traveling back in time. All roads inside the Park are narrow, winding, primitive dirt roads. Commonly, the roads form washboard surfaces and dust abounds. In heavy rains, gaping potholes occur. The roads are graded regularly, but the weather is a major factor in their condition.
Baxter State Park, in recent years, has seen a steady increase in visitor use. To preserve and protect the park resources in the condition that Percival P. Baxter intended, we have been forced to control access to trailheads. Once specific parking lots fill up, those areas are closed for the day. This has created additional problems in the form of road traffic. Percival Baxter was also adamant that roads would not be improved and the park would not become a drive through park. Baxter permitted roads for the sole purpose of allowing access so that people could come and hike in the woods and enjoy nature.
Throughout the summer and weekends in the fall tend to be our busiest times. Expect delays and traffic congestion along the roads. Please use pullouts to allow approaching traffic to pass by. The speed limit is 20 mph or less to protect animals from your car and your car from our primitive wilderness roads. Expect slow driving and please use caution around corners.
If you are stopping to view wildlife, please find a pullout to park in. This may mean driving forward or backward a few hundred yards, but must be done to ensure the safety of other drivers who wish to go around you. Pullouts are in place for short-term stops (15 minutes) and traveler safety only; pullouts are not authorized parking spots for hikers.
Accidents happen every year due to reckless driving.
Don't let it be you!
Please drive slowly, carefully and use pullouts when needed.
CAMPGROUND OPENING & CLOSING DATES (INCLUSIVE)
* Roaring Brook May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Chimney Pond June 1st - Oct. 15th
* Katahdin Stream May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Abol May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Daicey Pond May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Nesowadnehunk *Variable opening/closing dates
* Kidney Pond May - Friday of Memorial Day weekend- Oct. 15th
* Trout Brook Farm -*Variable opening date - Oct. 15th
* South Branch Pond May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Russell Pond May 15 - Oct. 15th
Baxter State Park is AWSOME!!!!
I have been going to this park for three years now. Incredible off road back country for all makes and models of vehicle. The wildlife is amazing the last half of May. Thinking about going Late spring, early summer though. Reservations need to be made now in order to get the best leanto or tent sites. This place is literaly in the boonies. 25 miles one way on a narrow rocky dirt road just to get to the campsites and trail heads! Check out the details below!
Let's get this trip planned now before it's too late! I recommend Nesowadnehunk Field Campground because it's the midway point for exploring the vehicle trails. I figured explore north of camp one day, then south of camp another, or on the way home. Roaring brook is very popular for light hiking and getting Amazing pictures of Maine's highest peak and the wildlife!
- Dan
Click for details!
Mount Katahdin!
The Trails!
Road Conditions for Baxter State Park
Traveling on roads in Baxter State Park is like traveling back in time. All roads inside the Park are narrow, winding, primitive dirt roads. Commonly, the roads form washboard surfaces and dust abounds. In heavy rains, gaping potholes occur. The roads are graded regularly, but the weather is a major factor in their condition.
Baxter State Park, in recent years, has seen a steady increase in visitor use. To preserve and protect the park resources in the condition that Percival P. Baxter intended, we have been forced to control access to trailheads. Once specific parking lots fill up, those areas are closed for the day. This has created additional problems in the form of road traffic. Percival Baxter was also adamant that roads would not be improved and the park would not become a drive through park. Baxter permitted roads for the sole purpose of allowing access so that people could come and hike in the woods and enjoy nature.
Throughout the summer and weekends in the fall tend to be our busiest times. Expect delays and traffic congestion along the roads. Please use pullouts to allow approaching traffic to pass by. The speed limit is 20 mph or less to protect animals from your car and your car from our primitive wilderness roads. Expect slow driving and please use caution around corners.
If you are stopping to view wildlife, please find a pullout to park in. This may mean driving forward or backward a few hundred yards, but must be done to ensure the safety of other drivers who wish to go around you. Pullouts are in place for short-term stops (15 minutes) and traveler safety only; pullouts are not authorized parking spots for hikers.
Accidents happen every year due to reckless driving.
Don't let it be you!
Please drive slowly, carefully and use pullouts when needed.
CAMPGROUND OPENING & CLOSING DATES (INCLUSIVE)
* Roaring Brook May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Chimney Pond June 1st - Oct. 15th
* Katahdin Stream May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Abol May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Daicey Pond May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Nesowadnehunk *Variable opening/closing dates
* Kidney Pond May - Friday of Memorial Day weekend- Oct. 15th
* Trout Brook Farm -*Variable opening date - Oct. 15th
* South Branch Pond May 15th - Oct. 15th
* Russell Pond May 15 - Oct. 15th
