Everything You Need to Know about Hiking Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine, sitting at 5,269 feet located in Baxter State Park near Millinocket, Maine. It is also the Northern most point of the Appalachian Trail and is one of Maine's most iconic sites.
Mount Katahdin is a severely underestimated mountain resulting in many injuries and even death. No matter what route you take to the summit, you are looking at 4,000 feet of elevation gain and a full day hike (most people spend between 8 to 12 hours on the mountain).
The park is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Unless you have a campsite reservation inside the park, you are unable to access trailheads until the gate opens at 6:00 am.
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Camping in Baxter State Park
One of the easier ways to guarantee a chance to climb Mount Katahdin is by camping out in the park the night before. Most campgrounds are open from May 15 to October 15. Except for Chimney Pond which opens on June 1, Nesowadnehunk which opens on the Friday prior to Memorial Day, Loon-Dependent Wass Lake Island opens on August 15, and Cabin 12 at Chimeny Pond opens on August 1. Kidney, Daicey, and Katahdin Stream are open until October 22.
The best campgrounds for hiking Mount Katahdin are Katahdin Stream, Abol, Roaring Brook, and Chimeny Pond.
Katahdin Stream Campground
Katahdin Stream campground is a popular family campground and provides access to Mount Katahdin from the Appalachian Trail (Hunt Trail) as well as access to a variety of streams and ponds in the park.
Abol Campground
Abol Campground is the closest campground to Togue Pond Gate and is located at the base of Abol Slide
Roaring Brook Campground
Roaring Brook is the most popular campground in the park, so if you're planning to make reservations get on as soon as they open. Roaring Brook Campground is situated at the base of Chimney Pond trail and Helon Taylor Trail.
Chimney Pond Campground
Chimney Pond is a backcountry campground in Baxter and is a great starting point for hiking Mount Katahdin. The cut-off time for hiking to Chimney Pond campground is 5:00 pm and is 3.3 miles from the trailhead.
You must check in at the gate no later than 8:30 pm on your first night of camping.
How to Reserve a Campsite in Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park allows reservations to be made up to 4 months in advance of your trip. Reservations can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
You can make reservations online here: https://reservation.baxterstatepark.org/reserve
By phone at (207)723-5140
You can make a reservation by mail, no sooner than 14 days prior to the processing date by filling out this (https://baxterstatepark.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Reservation-Form-Jan-2022.pdf) form and sending it to Baxter State Park, 64 Balsam Dr, Millinocket, ME 04462
Or you can make a reservation in person at 64 Balsam Dr, Millinocket, ME by appointment only.
Campgrounds near Baxter State Park
If you are unable to get a campsite in Baxter State Park, here is a list of campgrounds in the area:
Big Moose Inn, Cabins, and Campground
Matagamon Wilderness Campground
Parking Reservations in Baxter State Park
If you are preparing for a day hike, the best way to ensure you’ll be able to find a parking spot is by making a reservation at: https://baxterstatepark.org/general-info/#reserve
When the park opens there is usually a long line of cars at the gate. The people who have parking passes enter the park first and are able to secure their spot until 7 am. Anyone without a parking pass has to wait in line off to the side until 7:05 am when parking reservations expire. The parking lots fill FAST so even if you don’t have a reservation, come to the park as early as you can so you can be the first in line when the parking reservations expire.
Maine residents can reserve a spot online after April first for any time in the summer. Out-of-state visitors can reserve a spot up to two weeks before your hike. The latest you can try to reserve a spot is until 3 pm the day before your hike. Reservations are $5.
Mount Katahdin Hiking Trails
Overview of Mount Katahdin Trails
- Abol
- Hunt
- Helon Taylor
- Dudley
- Cathedral
- Saddle
- Knife's Edge
- Hamlin Ridge
- Chimney Pond
Abol
Length: 3.4 miles one way (plus one mile on Hunt trail)
Elevation Gain: 3,982 feet
Trailhead Parking lot: Abol Campground
Abol trail is the shortest route to Baxter Peak from the trailhead. Once you reach Tableland you will connect with the Hunt trail for the last mile.
Hunt Trail
Length: 5.2 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 4,188 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Katahdin Stream Campground
Hunt trail is one of the most popular trails to Mount Katahdin summit. 2.4 miles of the trail is above the treeline, making for some of the best views of the landscape.
Helon Taylor
Length: 3.2 miles one way
Elevation Gain to Pamola Peak: 3,412
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail connects from Roaring Broom Campground to Knife Edge Trail at Pamola Peak. This trail is very exposed and is considered one of the most picturesque trails in the park.
Dudley
Length: 1.3 miles one way to Pamola Peak
Elevation Gain: 1,988 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail leaves from Chimney Pond and is a very short and steep climb to Pamola Peak. The trail is almost completely above the treeline and consists of climbing over large boulders.
Cathedral
Length: 1.5 miles one way (1.7 to Baxter Peak)
Elevation Gain: 2,353 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail is the shortest hike from Chimney Pond to Baxter Peak and is considered, by park rangers, to be the most difficult route to the summit. To reach the peak you have to connect with Saddle trail for an additional .2 miles.
Saddle
Length: 2.2 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 2,353 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail is the most gradual ascent and starts from the Chimney Pond campground. This is a great option for descent from Katahdin.
Knife Edge
Length: 1.1 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 365 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This route is extremely exposed and has been proven to be extremely dangerous. It is highly recommended to not do this trail during high winds or inclement weather. It takes approximately 1-1.5 hours one way to cross Knife Edge.
Hamlin Ridge
Length: 1.5 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 1,837 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail starts at the North Basin Trail which is 0.7 miles from Chimney Pond and ascends a ridge to Hamlin Peak.
Chimney Pond
Length: 3.3 miles one way
Elevation Gain: 1,425 feet
Trailhead Parking Lot: Roaring Brook Campground
This trail takes you directly to Chimney Pond Campground and connects to a variety of trails to Katahdin.
Personal Trail Recommendations for Mount Katahdin
If you’re looking to hike Knife’s Edge, here is my personal recommendation for the best route to take to the summit.
Start by parking at Roaring Brook Campground and hike Chimney Pond Trail or Helon Taylor. If you take the Chimeny Pond trail, once there, take Dudley to Pamola Peak. Once you reach Pamola peak you can access the summit by taking Knife’s edge. Once you summit, take Saddle Trail down until you reach Chimney Pond and take Chimeny Pond trail back to the parking lot!
Baxter State Park Rules
- Camping is permitted by reservation only
- All people entering the park by road or trail must sign in at the first opportunity at a gate-house or self-registration area
- The maximum size of a hiking group can not exceed 12
- Hunting and trapping are prohibited within the park
- Pets are not allowed in the park
- No person may feed, bait, or disturb any animal within the park
- Fires or other cooking or heating devices are only permitted in designated campsites or picnic areas
- No person can leave a fire without totally extinguishing it
- All trash, litter, camping gear, and materials carried into the park must be carried out
- Where toilets are not available, human waste must be disposed of at least 200 feet from water or trail, below treeline human waste must be buried or carried out. Above treeline, human waste must be carried out or left on the surface of the soil or solid rock
- No person may create a disturbance that impairs the enjoyment of the Park by others.
- Chainsaws, generators, and other power equipment may not be operated within the Park.
- Collection or removal of any cultural object from the Park is prohibited. No person may deface, paint, damage, mutilate, or vandalize any cultural object or any structure or sign within the Park.
- The removal from, or introduction of, natural objects, materials, plants or animals to the Park is prohibited, with the exception that fish and other wildlife may be collected for personal use in authorized areas of the Park
- Research studies and Commercial Media projects within the Park require a special use permit issued by the Director.
- No vehicle over nine (9) feet high, seven (7) feet wide, or 22 feet long for a single vehicle or 44 feet long for combined units may enter the Park.
- All groups of five (5) or more persons under 16 years of age must be accompanied by at least one (1) person, of at least 18 years of age, responsible for the supervision of a maximum of five (5) youths.
- A person who violates any of the rules of the Baxter State Park Authority or a condition of a permit issued under those rules commits a civil violation for which a fine of not more than $1,000 may be adjudged.
View the full list of Baxter State Park rules here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jjs16G_c4HzhkiGkBBWeQj7K2JgHaI3F/view
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