Map showing campground location near Millinocket, Maine

Camper submitted image from Abol Campground — Baxter State Park

Abol Campground — Baxter State Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Hikers planning an ascent of Mt. Katahdin have a direct starting point at Abol Campground, which sits at the base of the mountain and gives access to the Abol Trail as well as several other routes in Baxter State Park. The campground runs from mid-May through mid-October and accommodates tents and lean-tos only. No RVs. Sites include a picnic table and fire ring with grill top, and firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station.

Water and sanitation are worth noting before arrival. There is no running or drinking water on-site, though a nearby stream can be used with a filter. Pit toilets are maintained daily and reviewers consistently describe them as clean and well-kept. Each site has a resident ranger assigned to the campground, available for questions, maps, and emergencies. Abol Campsite, a short distance away, is a separate facility and should not be confused with this one. Katahdin Stream Campground lies roughly two miles to the northwest for campers weighing other options within the park.

Site 6 draws repeated mention from reviewers. The lean-to there faces Abol Stream, which provides both proximity to water and enough ambient sound to reduce noise from neighboring sites. As Shari G. notes, "the pit toilets are cleaned daily," which holds up across multiple accounts. Millinocket, roughly 18 miles from the park's southern entrance, is the last stop for gas and groceries. This campground works best for hikers focused on Katahdin who want a no-frills base camp close to the trailhead.

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Map & DirectionsAbol Campground is located in Maine near Millinocket

Public Campground

Address

64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, ME 04462

Coordinates

45.87367333208394 N
68.96296081144482 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 5 min from Bangor, ME
3 hrs 30 min from Lewiston, ME
4 hrs 7 min from Portland, ME
7 hrs 17 min from Burlington, VT

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Abol Campground

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the scenic stream-side setting and helpful rangers at this Katahdin basecamp. Facilities are basic wilderness-style with composting toilets and no electricity. Several reviews noted concerns about intense blackfly season.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Amanda H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2023

Abol Campground is Beautiful

We stayed at Abol Campground for two nights in order to hike Katahdin. Our site Lean-To 6, I would argue is the best site. It is right on the stream and you feel secluded. The lean to was perfect but bring a small tent, this is not a large space. There are hooks for gear and a picnic table & fire pit. The ranger Laura checked on us each day and was very kind and gave great advice. Note: there are only put toilets and no showers. But as far as that goes the bathrooms were clean and well maintained. I might add hand sanitizer pumps to make them perfect.

Site6

Month of VisitJune

Professor of Accounting G.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 23, 2021

Caution: Errors in some posts

Some of the previous posts have confused Abol Campground inside Baxter State Park with Abol Campground and general Store. There is NO electricity, no showers, no grocery store, inside Baxter State Park. Those are available at the similarly named Abol Campground and General Store which neighbors Baxter State Park.

SiteDaicey Pond

Month of VisitOctober

(5) View All

Alex

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 14, 2020

Nice Campground Within BSP

We stayed at site 18. Site served us well with ample space for tents and our two vehicles. Adjacent to the restrooms. Nothing much to add beyond what others have said, except added photos for visual reference...

-ace

Site18

Month of VisitSeptember

Shari G.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2018

Easy access to Mt. Katahdin

Though not open during the off season, this Baxter State Park campground offers tent sites and lean-tos, each with a picnic table and fire ring. There are no sites for RV's here.

There is no running/drinking water, but the stream nearby is perfect for filtering. The pit toilets are cleaned daily. There is no electricity, so bring your solar panel. Rangers are assigned to each campground, so there is always someone to chat with if you have questions or emergencies while in the park.

You can start the 8-12 hour round trip to the summit of Mt. Katahdin from this campground, as it sits right at the base of the mountain. Or, choose from variety of other trail options if a 4000 ft elevation gain hike isn’t your thing.

Fall is one of the best times to be here…no bugs, less people, and full of autumn color! Be ready for wind and cold days though. You are sure to see many Appalachian Trail through hikers as they use this campground as their final base camp before summiting!

Your last stop for food and gas is in Millinocket, so be sure to stock up before you make your way to the park. Millinocket is about 18 miles from the main entrance to Baxter State Park.

Note: Dogs are not allowed in the park, but Katahdin Kritters is a pet boarding facility located in East Millinocket.

Month of VisitOctober

(8) View All

Krystal Y.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2018

Right on the water

This campground is in a great location near the water. Perfect for staying an extra night after hiking katahdin bc they have showers so you can clean yourself up. Cozy area with friendly neighbors, a general store at entrance which also has a small restaurant in it. Looks like a lot of people do some rafting/tubing down the river and stay here too!

ML W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2018

Everything you'd want

Tent camped here before climbing Mt Katahdin. This place was not only beautiful with a store and restaurant, but super accommodating to our large group.

Month of VisitJuly

Kim N.

Guide

Reviewed May. 21, 2018

Basic but convenient!

This is the first campsite you will come upon as you drive down the road in Baxter State Park and it is the first parking lot where you are able to park for the Abol Trail up Mt. Katahdin. Keep in mind that the road in Baxter is unpaved if you're driving here and that there is electricity in the park at sites! That being said, I camped here the night before I hiked up Katahdin and it was perfect for what I needed. Open spaces with tables and a fire ring and nothing else really. There is a ranger cabin on site to assist you with maps and firewood and anything else you may need. They were super helpful! Other than that there were composting toilets and there is parking near the sites for you to keep your car at.

Month of VisitAugust

Gavin T.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 23, 2017

Site 6

Accessible via the Baxter State Park Tote road, this is the first campground you will come upon if you enter the southern gate. Situated at the trailhead of Abol Trail, this campground offers lean-to and tent sites along a looped camp road. Sites consist of a picnic table and fire ring with grill top. Firewood is avaliable for purchase at the ranger station for $3.00. Sites are close to the camp road except lean-to site 3 which is a short walk in from it’s parking place. Site 6 may not look like the supiror site within Abol while driving by, but adventuring down into the site from the turn off, you will realize it’s speacial qualities. The lean-to is oriented in such a way that you do not realize it’s proximity to sites 5 and 7 or the campground road. Site 6 hugs the Abol stream providing beautiful scenery and the auidable noice which suppresses sounds coming from other campers. If you are hiking the Abol Trail, this is an easy option for spending the night before or after your hike. If I was to do an exstended stay within the park, I would recommend heading to the Northern portions of the park, as there are more special overnight options.

Site6

Month of VisitOctober

(6) View All

Lindsay B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 10, 2015

Don't go in April or May

Blackflies are real y'all. And they are bad. Like Biblical-level. Otherwise go play with Moose and enjoy mother nature. Katahdin is amazing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Abol Campground located in Baxter State Park?

Abol Campground is situated just inside the southern entrance of Baxter State Park, making it the first campground you'll encounter when entering through the south gate. It's accessible via the unpaved Baxter State Park Tote Road. The campground is positioned at the base of Mount Katahdin near the Abol Trail trailhead, offering easy access to this popular hiking route. Its location near a stream also provides a serene natural setting for campers.

What amenities and facilities are available at Abol Campground?

Abol Campground offers basic, primitive camping facilities. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. The campground features pit toilets that are cleaned daily but has no running water or electricity. Water must be filtered from the nearby stream. There are no shower facilities, RV hookups, or dump stations, as the campground is designed for tent camping only. It's important to note that Abol Campground inside Baxter State Park should not be confused with the similarly named private Abol Campground and General Store outside the park, which offers more amenities.

What do Abol Campground lean-tos look like and how can I reserve one?

Abol Campground lean-tos are three-sided wooden shelters with an open front, providing protection from the elements while maintaining a rustic camping experience. They typically include hooks for hanging gear, with enough space for a few people to sleep. Lean-to #6 is particularly desirable as it's situated right on the stream with a more secluded feel. The space inside is modest, so a small tent may be needed for additional sleeping area. To reserve a lean-to, use Baxter State Park's reservation system, which typically opens several months in advance. Given their popularity, especially during peak hiking season, early booking is strongly recommended.

How much does it cost to stay at Abol Campground?

Baxter State Park operates Abol Campground with standard fees for all sites. Prices vary between lean-tos and tent sites, with different rates for Maine residents and non-residents. The fee structure is set by the Baxter State Park Authority and typically covers the basic primitive camping experience. For current and exact pricing, it's best to check with Baxter State Park's official reservation system or call their headquarters before planning your trip.

Is Abol Campground close to Mount Katahdin hiking trails?

Yes, Abol Campground is ideally located for accessing Mount Katahdin trails. It sits directly at the trailhead of the Abol Trail, one of the main routes up Katahdin. This makes it a perfect base camp for hikers planning to summit Maine's highest peak. The campground's strategic location allows you to start your hike early in the morning without additional travel, maximizing your time on the mountain and minimizing pre-hike logistics.

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Map & DirectionsAbol Campground is located in Maine near Millinocket

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Where is Abol Campground located in Baxter State Park?

What amenities and facilities are available at Abol Campground?

What do Abol Campground lean-tos look like and how can I reserve one?

How much does it cost to stay at Abol Campground?

Is Abol Campground close to Mount Katahdin hiking trails?