Hike

Along Miles of Trails

Camp

At One of  Campsites

Explore

Acres of Wilderness

Percival P. Baxter

Percival P. Baxter made it his life’s “magnificent obsession” to create, protect, and provide to the people of Maine a wilderness haven encompassing some of the most rugged terrain in the Northeast. Learn why this landscape deserves such lifelong devotion.  We here at Baxter State Park are charged with upholding Baxter’s wishes.

“Man is born to die, his works are short-lived.
Buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes.
But Katahdin, in all its glory, forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.”

-Percival Proctor Baxter

Picture to left: Percival P. Baxter on a tour of the park with Warden Supervisor David Priest

Check out this informational video

The Park Lands are Held In Trust

The Park Authority is responsible for upholding the conditions set forth in Governor Baxter’s Deeds of Trust.

Read more about Park history here

The Park is Self-Funded

The Park is funded through an endowment left by the donor, user fees, donations, and revenue from the Scientific Forest Management Area.

Read more about our organization here

Wilderness first, Recreation second

Governor Baxter’s first priority was to protect the wildness of the Park.

The governor’s “magnificent obsession”

Reservation Office  207-723-5140

Winter M-F, 8am-4pm | Summer 7 days/week, 8am-4pm

Office hours are subject to change without notice.