Everything first-time visitors should know about Baxter State Park and Katahdin

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 26, 2026

There’s a lot to know about visiting Baxter State Park. So much so, it can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first trip. First of all, the park is huge. It takes more than two hours to drive from one end to the other. The park’s website has so much information that there’s really no reason to be unprepared. The first time I went, I knew all the locations, estimated travel times and the more difficult trail sections to watch out for. But if you’re not a planner and want as much information in one spot as possible, here’s some of the most pertinent information to know before visiting.