Exploring the rugged landscape of Baxter State Park awaits!
In the heart of north-central Maine, nestled within Northeast Piscataquis, lies Baxter State Park - a vast wilderness area permanently preserved as a state park. Established over nine decades ago, this natural wonder has been meticulously preserved to reflect the vision of its creator, former Governor Percival P. Baxter.
The story of Baxter State Park begins in 1920, when Baxter participated in an expedition to the summit of Mount Katahdin, the park's crowning glory and Maine's highest peak at 5,268 feet. Intrigued by the potential of creating a national park in the area, Baxter, who would later become governor, introduced legislation to establish a state park around Mount Katahdin. However, his political rise was sudden due to the death of the sitting governor, which affected the legislative process for his park proposal[1].
Undeterred, Baxter took matters into his own hands. Between 1931 and 1962, he donated land 28 times, gradually assembling a large tract of wilderness in trust that would become Baxter State Park. These acquisitions eventually made the park over 200,000 acres in size, preserving a significant natural region in Piscataquis County[1][2].
The park's strict regulations and independent funding are testament to Baxter's vision for the park. Sole governance is provided by the Baxter State Park Authority, consisting of the Maine Attorney General, the Maine Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Director of the Maine Forest Service. The park is independently funded through a combination of revenues from trusts, user fees, and the sale of forest products from the park's Scientific Forest Management Area[3].
This wilderness sanctuary is home to a diverse population of wildlife, including moose, black bears, and a variety of bird species such as thrushes, warblers, flycatchers, owls, hawks, eagles, ducks, and other wetland birds. The park's location, over 20 miles from the actual park in the small town of Millinocket, with no stores or gas stations inside the park, further contributes to its wildness[4].
One of the park's unique features is the Pockwockamus Rock, a mural-covered rock located approximately 2.5 miles from the south gate of Baxter State Park. This rock, like the park itself, is a testament to Baxter's vision for a wild, untouched landscape[5].
Since Baxter's death in 1969, the park has been increased to a total of 209,501 acres, including the 2006 addition of a parcel of 4,678 acres and spectacular Katahdin Lake[6]. Baxter made his first purchase in 1930, a 24 km² parcel from the Great Northern Paper Company, and continued purchases until 1962, accumulating 813 km² of wilderness[7].
Baxter's legacy lives on in Baxter State Park, a testament to his desire to keep the area "forever wild." As he once wrote, "Man is born to die, his work short lived; buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes, but Katahdin, in all its glory, shall forever remain the mountain of the people of Maine."
Visitors to Baxter State Park can explore this wilderness haven, appreciating the efforts of Percival P. Baxter and the untouched beauty that he preserved for future generations[8]. To plan your visit, you can find more information on the park's homepage at https://baxterstatepark.org.
[1] https://www.nps.gov/abrp/learn/historyculture/baxterstatepark.htm [2] https://www.nps.gov/abrp/learn/historyculture/baxter-state-park-establishment.htm [3] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/about/finance [4] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/visit/park-information [5] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/visit/things-to-do/pockwockamus-rock [6] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/about/history [7] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/about/timeline [8] https://www.baxterstatepark.org/visit/plan-your-visit/welcome-center
- Nestled within Northeast Piscataquis, Baxter State Park's vast wilderness mirrors the vision of its creator, Percival P. Baxter.
- Established in 1931, the park's growth was gradual due to Baxter's land donations, growing to over 200,000 acres by 1962.
- The park's strict regulations and independent funding reflect Baxter's desire for a pristine, wilderness sanctuary.
- Home to a diverse array of wildlife, such as moose, bears, and various bird species, the park's remote location magnifies its wildness.
- Visitors can explore this outdoor living space, appreciating Baxter's legacy and the untouched beauty he preserved for future generations.
- For more information about the park, including park guidelines and things to do, visit their home-and-garden webpage at https://baxterstatepark.org.
- Baxter's words, "Man is born to die, his work short lived; buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes, but Katahdin, in all its glory, shall forever remain the mountain of the people of Maine," serve as a testament to his enduring impact.
