Katahdin Stream Campground, near Millinocket, Maine, is a prime location for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of Baxter State Park. This campground offers a mix of tent sites and lean-tos, all equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, making it a cozy base for your outdoor adventures.

Visitors rave about the clean pit toilets and the stunning views of Mt. Katahdin, which is just a stone's throw away. The nearby stream provides a refreshing spot to cool off after a long hike, but remember, no soap or detergents are allowed in the water. As one camper noted, “Right on the stream (great for sitting in after hiking Katahdin).”

If you're planning to tackle Katahdin, this campground is the perfect launchpad. It's conveniently located near the Hunt Trailhead, allowing for an early start on your ascent. Just be sure to stock up on supplies in Millinocket before heading in, as there are no stores within the park. 

While the campground is known for its natural beauty and tranquility, be prepared for some pesky black flies in the warmer months. Many campers recommend bringing bug spray, especially in June and July. With its breathtaking scenery and access to hiking trails, Katahdin Stream Campground is a fantastic choice for those seeking a true wilderness experience.

Established in 1939, Katahdin Stream is a popular family campground providing access to Katahdin via the Appalachian Trail as well as access to numerous streams and ponds in the Kidney / Daicey area.

26mi to Millinocket
12 lean-tos
10 tentsites
3 group sites holding 12, 13, and 25 people

Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park

Looking for the best campgrounds near Millinocket, ME? Millinocket is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Millinocket, ME. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Millinocket

The Best Camping Near Millinocket, Maine

Stayed here after 21 days on the AT, the night before our Katahdin summit. Great campsite. Stellar privys, don't smell bad, aren't bug infested, and come stocked with toilet paper. Ample space at each tentsite. Beautiful, cold stream, great for filling water bottles or taking a quick dip after a long, hot day.

Awesome Campsite

Baxter State Park is amazing! My husband and I ended our summer vacation there last year and it was by far the best camping experience! The trails are awesome and the views are even better! It was too cold for us to climb to the top of Katahdin while we were there because we didn't pack any warm clothes but that is definitely on our bucket list for next time! The park doesn't have any running water or filling stations so bring all the water you will need!

Baxter State Park is AMAZING!

Baxter State Park is famous for Katahdin. This is one place to stay to hike to it. It’s a very basic campground so bring your own water, though they do have canoe rentals and wood to purchase. Make a reservation. There are lean-tos and open sites, some are along the water. The best part for us was seeing so many people come down from their thru-hike and others waiting to meet their friends and family doing so. Lots of incredible energy here (and throughout Baxter) thanks to the AT.

Northern end of the AT 

Stayed here the night before taking on Katahdin. We had 2 tents, right next to the stream. BOOK EARLY! We did our research and found that this campground would work out best for the hike that we wanted to do. We did the Hunt Trail (part of the AT) and the trail head is next to the campground. You can also pay to just park at the Stream as well. We ended up getting in somewhat late, so set up camp close to dark. Ranger station is there as well that sells wood and is a useful resource for those that haven't hiked the area before.

Loved this campground!

Katahdin Stream provides the perfect site to give you a restful night’s sleep before taking the Hunt Trail up Mt Katahdin/ Baxter Peak. The tent sites were flat and spacious and though we had downpours all day, there was no puddling or pooling of water in the site. All tent sites and lean-to sites came with firepits and tables, and plenty of trees around to hang wet articles of clothing to dry after the rain passed. The campground was clearly marked and provided parking for 1-2 vehicles at each site, but not much more than that and the day use site campers were very friendly and engaged with the overnight campers, offering us BBQ and other leftover food which very welcome after an 11 hour day of hiking.

Katahdin Stream is easily accessible and provides an excellent source of fresh water, as water is limited once you start up the Hunt Trail. Therefore I highly recommend taking as much water as you can reasonably carry. We had 2- 2 liter bladders and 4 Nalgene bottles on our trip and we ran out by the time we reached the end of our trip. (Between two hikers- went up Hunt and down Abol and back around to Katahdin Stream for a second night’s stay).

Perfect campsite before the summit

Since this is the closest campground to the northern most point on the AT, you’ll see lot of thru-hikers. many will ask to hitch a ride to town to get supplies, but they are not troublesome. just without wheels and far from any civilization. at the ranger station there are a bunch of gear options that people have left behind. feel free to leave stuff you won’t use because someone else might find it a treasure. we stayed in a leanto. it was nice, Next to the stream, an relatively easy hike to Katahdin Stream Falls, on the way up to Baxter Peak. the rangers were nice. the campground was clean. but it’s really busy and holds a lot of people. it’s not my favorite campground in Baxter state park. 

Very Spread Out and easy access to AT

Basic shelter in a beautiful area tucked into the woods with fresh streams and a small pond. Clean outhouse as well.

Beautiful site

If you enjoy camping with a wonderful view of Mt. Katahdin, then this campground is for you. This is 1 of the 3 campgrounds in Baxter that stays open for a bit past the normal season. It offers a few spots for small RV’s, tent sites, lean-tos, and a few camping cabins, each with a picnic table and fire ring. Our site even had a sheltered area over the picnic table.

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. Plan on packing out your trash. 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 to 12-hour round trip to the summit of Mt. Katahdin from this campground, as it sits right at the base of the mountain. Or, you can choose from a variety of other trail options if a 4000 ft elevation gain isn’t your thing. You are sure to see many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers as they use this campground as their final base camp before summiting.

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.

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.

Ant's Eye View of Mt. Katahdin!

This campground offers large sites, many with lean-tos and along the stream. a nice base for a morning ascent of Mt Katahdin. Black flies can be unbearable in May/June, so prepare accordingly. There are pit toilets. Bring either drinking water or a water filter for water from the stream. You'll need to bring all your supplies; there are no stores in the park, so stock up in Millinocket. Also, beware that you need to arrive no later than 8:30pm your first night! No cell phone coverage.

Baxter State Park is no frills, but great beauty. There are a few of New England's 4000-footers here, but the goal for most is Mt Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.  If you stay here the night before, you can get an early start without having to wait at the park entrance. If you're not interested in the high peaks, there are trails along waterfalls and ponds, places to launch a canoe or kayak, ample opportunity to see moose.

2020, won't open until at least July. in 2019, it didn't open until late May because of a wet spring and trails were closed until mid-June because of snow cover on the trails.

Great base for a Katahdin ascent

Went here since I was a kid. Good place to start your hike.

Great place!

Right on the stream (great for sitting in after hiking Katahdin). 2 min walk to the Hunt trailhead. The bathrooms were immaculate! Great ranger! Room for a 6 person tent and a small tent plus one Subaru Forester. 

Site 18

The primitive sites are either AT style leantos or tent sites.  Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.  There is NO potable water, electricity, showers or cell/internet service in the Park.  Firewood is for sale at the Ranger station for $5 per bundle.  NO firewood is permitted to be brought into the Park.  Pit toilets are clean and well maintained.  Most sites are within easy access to Katahdin Stream which is fast moving and cold.  You can get into the water but no soap or detergent of any kind is permitted.  It is approximately 45 minute drive from the Togue Pond Gate over narrow dirt roads (very dusty).  You are at least an hour from the nearest supply and closer to 2 hours from Millinocket where there is a Hannaford supermarket.  Be sure to bring everything you need!  Pack bug spray in June &amp; July.  

Reservations can be made beginning 4 months from the first day of your reservation.  Current fees are $16 per night per site.  You can do this on-line or call the office.  $16 per out-of-state car collected at the gate.  (Maine cars are not charged an entrance fee.)



Primitive camping and gateway to Katahdin 

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Photos of Katahdin Stream Campground — Baxter State Park

Real photos from real campers