Baxter State Park & 100-Mile Wilderness Info for SouthBound Hikers

The 115 miles heading south from Katahdin through Baxter State Park & the 100-Mile Wilderness is the most remote section of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers aiming to hike this section of the trail need to be prepared for a tough, yet rewarding journey.

• Hikers wishing to summit Katahdin and head south on the AT must have a reservation for the day of your summit. If you do not have a reservation or are not sharing a reservation with another hiker, you may not be able to get into Baxter State Park to summit Katahdin. A camping reservation for Katahdin Stream Campground or Abol Campground is the best choice. You can make your camping reservation four months before you plan to enter the park. These reservations can sell out weeks or even months in advance. Secure your reservation as early as possible to ensure your entry. If you are unable to secure a campsite, join the “Appalachian Trail SoBo 2024” Facebook group and ask if someone is willing to share their site with you. If you have questions reach out to us.

• Alternatively, if you can not obtain a camping reservation, a day-use parking reservation for Katahdin Stream or Abol is a good backup. This will allow us to drop you off for a day hike. You will climb the Hunt trail (AT) to the summit and descend the Abol trail to the Abol trailhead. We will then pick you up and bring you back to town for the night. The following day, we can shuttle you back to Katahdin Stream, to head south out of the Park. Please note that you will have to complete the hike in roughly nine hours. This is a little on the aggressive side for most hikers starting out, but fairly doable for flip-floppers that have a few hundred miles under their feet before flipping up to Maine.

• Hikers beginning a southbound trek can expect to cover an average of 11-14 miles per day from Katahdin to Monson. This means you should plan for your first 115 miles to take anywhere from 8 to 12 days. Ten days is fairly common and what we suggest. During this rugged section your body needs time to adapt to life on trail. We highly suggest not pushing big miles in the beginning, as this leads to many hikers having to leave the trail due to overuse injuries. In addition, cumbersome packs take many hikers off trail each season before they reach Monson. If your total pack weight will be over 35 pounds, with 5 days of food and 1 liter of water, we suggest spending some time going on shakedown hikes and rethinking your gear set-up. If you need assistance, we offer shakedowns and gear talks.

• Flip-flop hikers with roughly 1000 miles under their feet typically take 7-8 days to hike the 115 miles from Katahdin to Monson. For many flip-floppers, Maine will be the most rugged and difficult hiking encountered thus far, on the AT.

• One of the most common issues we see with new arrivals to Maine is an overestimation of planned miles per day and not enough food supply. Due to the ruggedness of the Maine Wilderness, many hikers state they are able to accomplish only 2/3rds of the hiking pace they can achieve on the southern and mid-atlantic sections of the trail. Keep this in mind when planning your food supply for the first 115 miles of the trail.

• During the months of May, June, & July bugs can be a serious issue in the Wilderness. Hikers need to be prepared for not only difficult terrain, but hoards of mosquitos and Maine’s “defender of the wilderness,” the black fly.

• While many hikers are eager to get an early start, Katahdin may not be ready to climb on Baxter State Park’s traditional opening day for overnight camping, May 15th. Hikers are encouraged to choose a later start date as recent years have seen opening dates for the mountain being pushed back to late May and even June. We recommend a start date of June 1st or later. Starting in the second half of June can mean more stable temperatures and better stream fording conditions. Starting in July can mean better overall weather and less bugs. Starting in August can mean fewer bugs, far fewer hikers, and “chasing” fall south to Georgia. Starting in September is not recommended and should only be attempted by experienced long distance hikers in great physical condition, as you will need to be through the White Mountains of New Hampshire by the first week of October to avoid hazardous conditions.

• Once a hiker leaves town resources are scarce. Your next chance to purchase gear and a good resupply, without getting an expensive and time consuming shuttle out of the 100-Mile Wilderness, is 115 miles down the trail.

• Taking on a southbound hike is to be taken seriously. Hikers will begin their trek with potentially the most difficult 10.4 miles of their entire Appalachian Trail journey as soon as they arrive at Katahdin. In addition, Maine is far more rugged than most of the rest of the Appalachian Trail. Plan on a slower hiking pace than you are use to.

• Please note that pets are not allowed in Baxter State Park, as it is a wildlife sanctuary. However, Katahdin Kritters Pet Resort will house your dog while you stay with us and summit Katahdin. We can then shuttle your hiking companion to you at Abol Bridge when you exit the Park.

• Food drop information can be found on the Hiker Services page. If you are staying one night, you should have all of your food supplies with you before arrival. If you are staying with us two nights, you do not have to travel with or ship your food supplies. You can purchase food supplies from our Outfitters or the local grocery. If you will be participating in the workshop, we suggest waiting until after the workshop to purchase your food supplies.

• Check out our 2022 SoBo Survey to see what last year’s hikers had to say.

Do I need a reservation in Baxter State Park?

Yes - All SoBo, Flip-Flop and Section Hikers starting at Katahdin need reservations to camp in the park the night they summit the mountain or a day-use parking reservation. Reservations can be made online at https://reservation.baxterpark.org or by calling (207)-723-5140.

Do I need a day-use parking pass for a Katahdin Trailhead?

All hikers wishing to climb Katahdin are required to have a day-use parking reservation or a campsite reservation to be shuttled to a Katahdin Trailhead. You do not need both. Using a shuttle service does not bypass the need for a reservation within the park.

If I am a SoBo, Flip-Flopper, or Section Hiker, should I stay in BSP after hiking Katahdin?

Yes. The climb to Baxter Peak and back takes on average 8-12 hours, with some hikers taking many more. We strongly suggest not attempting to hike out of the park after climbing Katahdin. It would be more than a 20 mile day and there is no stealth camping allowed in Baxter State Park. You can make your reservation for Katahdin Stream Campground on the Baxter State Park website. 

How far is Baxter State Park from AT Hostel & Outfitters?

It is 17 miles (30 minutes) from Millinocket to the BSP south gate and then it is another 8 miles (20 minutes) to Katahdin Stream campground. This shuttle is included in our SoBo Specials.

Where do you have food drops in the 100-Mile Wilderness?

There is no need to carry 7-10 days worth of food while hiking the 100-Mile Wilderness. AT Hostel & Outfitters offers a resupply/food drop at one point approximately halfway through the 100-Mile Wilderness. This will lessen the burden of carrying a heavier pack and give your body the time it needs to adapt to life on the trail. Check out the Hiker Services page or give us a call to get more information about this service. 

Do you carry food for resupply and food drops?

We carry a wide selection of freeze dried meals, standard hiker meals, various bars such as Clif Bars & Kind Bars, electrolytes, and other snacks. We stock the most common fuel sources as well.

Looking for more information?

Check out our Info Hub & this blog post for everything you need to know about hiking the AT Southbound.