South Branch Pond Campground — Baxter State Park

Lots of trail options. Canoe and kayak rentals ($1/hour). Swimming, fishing and gorgeous views.

This is wilderness primitive camping. No potable water, electricity or cell service. Bring your own water and any food and ice you need as you will be more than 45 minutes from “civilization”. Firewood is available for purchase. You are NOT allowed to bring any firewood into the Park. Sites are 4 person lean-tos or tent sites.

Fairly last minute trip, but within a couple weeks of our trip, I was able to find one last available site. Woohoo! 

Nice open grassy site - drove right up and had a great breakfast, couple nights great rest while we explored the area. 

Notes:

primitive site, outhouses only, so bring your sun shower.

And it is in the northeast of the park, a lonnnng leisurely dirt road trek down to trailhead for Chimney Pond trail and summiting Katahdin. Made sure we left by 3am to get to the main gate by 6am. IF you stayed overnight in the park, you can roll right into the parking lot before the main gate opens (there WILL be a line of cars waiting to get in as soon as the gates open, and once the lot is full it's full – no more preference to those who stayed overnight anywhere in the park)

Baxter is one of the most pristine, magical and majestic public lands in the US, always worth a visit. My fave time of year is Sept. here.

This is a great campground with wooded sites and lean-tos adjacent to a gorgeous pond surrounded by mountains in Baxter State Park. Lots of hiking, swimming, and canoeing/kayaking in the area or star gazing at night on the shore of the pond while listening to the loons. Privies are kept clean and are located close to most sites. Highly recommend.

This is a beautiful spot. It has excellent canoeing and hiking. The facilities are well maintained and this is camping the way it’s supposed to be.

leantos are the way to go,august no bugs.my daughter (now 11 yrs old) have been going there for 8 years-very kid friendly.traveller loop much more intense than baxter peak-more above tree line travel. we go there during the perseid meteor shower peak,make some hot chocolate,go out in the canoe,drift around watching the shooting stars-doesn’t get much better....

boating, swimming, hiking, surrounded by beauty. the park ranger we had was amazing. my daughter did not want to leave!

great pond with easy access, nice for day rental of canoe. lean-tos right on water

Small campground with tent sites, a couple of cabins, and several lean-tos. Access to South Branch Pond and the Traveler Mountain Range is unbelievable, with sites right on the edge of the lower pond.

The rangers are very helpful, wood is always available, and the night sky is void of any light pollution. Nearest town is about 1 hour away, so come prepared!