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The Katahdin Lake Gift

The Katahdin Lake Gift

The 4,119 acre Katahdin Lake parcel, including 649 acre Katahdin Lake, was given to the Baxter State Park Authority by the Trust for Public Land on December 15, 2006.  The gift was made possible by the generous donations of hundreds of individuals both from Maine and “Away”.  Maps and communications from Park donor Percival P. Baxter indicated his original intent and efforts to include Katahdin Lake in his formation of Baxter State Park.  Although Baxter was unsuccessful, the gift of the Katahdin Lake parcel completes his original vision of Baxter State Park.

The Planning Process

When the Baxter State Park Authority accepted the Katahdin Lake parcel, we began to plan and consider the many perspectives and possibilities for the gradual assimilation of this pristine lake and forest into the administrative and operational framework of Baxter State Park.  After establishing our property lines around the parcel, we have been gathering site and landscape information to help us with planning proposals for future use and facility development consistent with the rest of Baxter Park.  This process will take several years, with trail and campsite development activities gradually beginning and proceeding along with continuous planning and evaluation.

Planning a Hike to Katahdin Lake?

The trail from Avalanche Field to Katahdin Lake has been in place for at least 100 years.  We are evaluating the long-term suitability of this trail, but in any case it is likely that this trail will provide hiking access to Katahdin Lake for the next few years.  We have recently installed bog-bridging on some of the wettest sections of the trail, but if the weather has been rainy recently, you should still expect the trail to be wet in places.

At 2.9 miles down the trail you will reach a trail junction.  The left trail will lead you to two BSP rental canoes available for rental by Park visitors for $1/hour or $8/day. Keys to unlock these canoes are available at Togue Pond Gate and Roaring Brook.  Katahdin Lake is a fairly large lake for Baxter State Park and can get rough in windy weather.  Please use caution when canoeing and always wear the personal flotation device provided.

Katahdin Lake is open to fishing under with the following length and possession limits:  minimum length on brook trout is 10” and a maximum of 2 trout per day is allowed with only one fish exceeding 12”.  Baxter State Park rules prohibit the use of live fish as bait.

Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps are located at the end of the trail 3.3 miles from Avalanche Field.  The Camps are owned by Charles Fitzgerald and operated under a lease with the Baxter State Park Authority covering 30 acres of land.  The camps are managed by Holly Hamilton, and visitors are always welcome. 

A private inholding covering 200 acres of land and over 4,000’ feet of lake frontage exists on the southeast corner of the lake.  Although the current landowners do not prohibit public use, we ask you to be respectful of the landowner’s lands and rights. In particular, please stay on marked trails, overnight camping and fires are prohibited, and please leave all private property undisturbed.

Baxter Park Staff

Click here for a map of Katahdin Lake

Click here for Katahdin Lake Plan

Click here for information on Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps.