The jagged Knife Edge atop Mount Katahdin dominates this region.

Katahdin is not just the highest point in Maine. It also marks one end of the Appalachian Trail and is the central point of Baxter State Park, a 202,064 acre park established in 1930 to preserve a slice of Maine’s wilderness for generations. Combined with the Moosehead Lake area, this region offers much in terms of scenery and recreation.
Baxter State Park is governed separately from the state park system by its own Park Authority based in Millinocket. Overnight trips to the park are strictly regulated, and even day users are asked to check in and out.

You can stay in cabins, bunkhouses, lean-tos and tent sites; in summer these get booked early and even winter reservations are becoming harder to get. It’s worth contacting the Authority months in advance.

There are plenty of mountains to hike besides Katahdin, and hikers of all abilities can find something to fit their needs. Wildlife watchers have much to look at as well.

The jumping off point for most trips to Baxter is Millinocket, a mill town that also offers services to snowmobilers and hikers. You can find motels, diners, shops and supplies here.

The other main jumping off point for the North Woods is Greenville, right at the southern edge of Moosehead Lake. People travel to Maine’s largest lake to fish, boat, swim, go whitewater rafting, hike, moose watch - and fly. Sea planes buzz in and out here and a large festival every September draws planes from all over New England.

For more urban pleasures, this region also includes the city of Bangor, where Northern Maine comes to shop, stock up and grab some culture. The international airport rivals Portland, and the University of Maine campus in nearby Orono infuses the area with a college-town sensibility.

Tours

Katahdin Scenic Tours 207-723-2020 http://www.katahdinsceniccruises.com/

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