Camping Outside Baxter

[trailbiscuit]

We just scored reservations for Baxter State Park over Memorial Day Weekend for Saturday and Sunday night. We are planning to drive up Friday night. Any recommendations for camping outside the park the night before? (I saw the thread about inns & hotels, but we require only meager/ghetto accommodations.) THANKS!

 

[poison ivy]

I've stayed at Hidden Springs campground in Millinocket a number of times... it's one of my all-time favorites -- nice sites and not too noisy. It's located just a few miles outside Baxter's southern entrance.

Their website is www.hiddenspring.com

- Ivy

 

[Jim lombard]

Hidden Springs

I'll second Hidden Springs, that's where we stayed. They were pretty quiet (nice since we had to wake at 3:30am to get in line at the gate.) They also let us keep our tent set up until the afternoon we returned from our hike.

 

[Frodo]

If you are looking for ghetto accommodations, you can camp at the "sand pits" (paper mill land), which are only a few miles from the Togue Pond entrance. They are on the left (and right) about 100 yards past the painted boulder (left side is better), and if you pick up a camping permit ($5) from the Katahdin General Store, which you pass on the way just before you leave Millinocket heading towards BSP, you can legally camp there. Nothing great, but your as close to the Southern entrance as your going to get and still camp, unless you want to drive right up to the gate and sleep in your vehicle...

 

[Blue]

I too have reservations in the park for that weekend - I just hope that the black flies have reservations elsewhere... or there is big wind that blows them away... or there is a sudden snow storm and they retreat....or ....

 

[trailbiscuit]

THANKS EVERYONE!

Looks like we'll probably go for Hidden Springs. Frodo, I'm not sure we'll make it up early enough to find an open General Store, but that's good to know. Plus, I'm not a beach person...and in my shorts and whatnot.

Blue - We're staying at Abol Sat. & Sun. night and planning on Coe, Fort and Brothers death march on the best weather day. There are black flies in Maine?!?!?!

 

[twigeater]

There is a $5 charge, per night, per person (I think) and if you are caught camping without a permit, it goes up to $7.

The Nature Conservancy site no longer allows overnight camping.

 

[twigeater]

this is weird...I must've posted to the wrong thread somehow...LOL
My post was a response to something RoySwkr posted...

 

[TenPeaks]

Just an FYI... Hidden Springs also has free hot showers.

 

[twigeater]

free if you camp there, $3/each if ya don't...