Backpack to Katahdin Lake

This hike is located in Baxter. Maine residents gain free admission into the park; non-residents must purchase a day pass ($14 per vehicle) or season pass ($39 per vehicle).

After entering the park at Togue Pond Gate of Baxter State Park, bear right and continue onto the Roaring Brook Road for 6.3 miles to the Avalanche Parking Area on the left. The trailhead for Katahdin Lake Trail is across the road to the east.

Near the beginning of the trail, two sturdy bridges span the bubbling Avalanche Brook and Sandy Stream. At 1.7 miles, you will reach a trail intersection where Martin Ponds Trail leads to the left. (This trail is a loop that travels to Martin Ponds –where there is a lean-to — and returns to Katahdin Lake Trail farther east. Martin Ponds Trail also leads to trails that will bring hikers to the north shore of Katahdin Lake — where there is a lean-to — and even farther north to Twin Ponds.) Continue on Katahdin Lake Trail.

At 3 miles, you will reach a trail juncture where Martin Pond Trail returns to Katahdin Lake Trail (on your left). At this juncture, you can continue straight and travel 0.2 mile to a day use picnic area on Katahdin Lake, or you can turn right and travel 0.3 mile to Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps, which has a beach and dock on the south shore of the lake.

There are a lot of intersections during this hike, so be sure to know what your final destination is, where all your turnoffs are and have a map with you. The backcountry sites each have their own lean to and canoe available to venture out onto the lake. They are extremely private and extremely beautiful.