Baxter State Park - Maine

Address:64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, Maine
Tel: (207) 723-5140

One of Maine's largest State Parks, Grafton Notch has some of the most spectacular scenery, provided by the state's own Mahoosuc mountain range. Hiking is a main attraction here, and the well-known Appalachian Trail indeed passes right through the park on the way towards Mt. Katahdin. Visitors will also enjoy picnicking in the mountains as well as fishing when not discovering Mother Walker Falls, Old Speck Mountain and Moose Cave. Though the park itself does not offer camping, there is plenty of fantastic lodging available in the area surrounding this delightful State Park.

Baxter State Park can be simply described as over 200,000 acres of mountains, lakes streams and forest, all given in trust by one man, Percival Baxter, to the People of the State of Maine. The full story of the assembly and management of the Park is much more complicated. We won't try to tell you that story here (there are many excellent books on the subject, but we will try and mention several of the most important elements. The Park is the result of a lifelong dream of former Maine Governor Percival Baxter. Initially, he worked as a legislator, then as a Governor to convince the Maine legislature to act to preserve Katahdin as a public Park. These efforts were not successful, so after leaving public service, Percival Baxter determined that he would accomplish this work himself. His first gift, including Katahdin and surrounding lands, was realized on March 3, 1931. The next 32 years mark an extraordinary example in philanthropic effort, determination and vision. In June of 1962, Percival Baxter completed his dream, comprising 28 separate gifts and a total of 201,018 acres, of a great Park, given In Trust, to the People of Maine. Subsequent to Governor Baxter's death, the Baxter State Park Authority has purchased additional lands on the southern end of the Park to bring the current Park acreage to 204,733.