Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps in Maine
Remote Cabins in Baxter State Park — Get Away From it All
Nov 10, 2009
A former sporting camp, the Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps is now on property absorbed into Baxter State Park, Maine's premier wilderness park.
Remote Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps
Once a sporting camp for hunters and fisherman, Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps can trace its roots back to 1885. The cabins and dining lodge are on the southern crescent of beautiful Katahdin Lake.
No roads make this a deliciously remote spot to vacation. And the view of Katahdin (Maine's highest mountain) is gorgeous — unlike any other view in the park. No wonder the camp has been home to many a painter and photographer. A prominent figure in the Hudson River School of landscape painting, Frederic Church (1826-1900) created an iconic painting of Katahdin's skyline (Knife Edge, Great Basin, and North Basin) from Katahdin Lake.
The Katahdin Lake property is the last piece of wilderness that former Maine Governor Percival Baxter had sought to include in Baxter State Park. In an ambitious parry, lovers of the Maine wilderness raised millions of dollars to facilitate the acquisition of the 6,000+ acre parcel (accomplished with no public money in 2006). The park now totals 210,000+ acres.
Four Seasons at Katahdin Lake
The camp is open year-round and is strikingly beautiful in the autumn with fall foliage season (September and October). The cabins are cozy and heated with wood. Lights are propane (no electricity). The beds are large, comfortable bunk beds. Each cabin varies in size (smallest is Traveler, largest is Purgatory Lodge). Some are situated on the water, some sit back a bit with a short walk to the lake's edge. Certain ones are set up as housekeeping cabins for those visitors who provide their own meals.
Make reservations directly with Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps (not through Baxter State Park staff) — e-mail works the best. The camp hosts are friendly and accommodating. They are always ready with a smile and a pleasant chat (and a helping hand with anything you need).
The dining lodge is rustic and includes a small library with attractive photos and books on Baxter State Park and Maine (and holds a variety of games for those rainy days). Meals are family style (everyone eats at one big table), providing ample opportunity to converse with others, some of whom may have traveled from very far away. The food is hearty and homemade (delicious!). The hosts can handle different dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian) — just inform them in advance.
How to Get to Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps
No roads! This is not the typical drive-to-and-camp experience. Visitors have two options in warm weather months: hiking the 3.3 miles in from the Baxter State Park tote road (enter Baxter via Togue Gate and park in the former Avalanche Field lot) or fly in via float plane. If flying in, visitors make their own arrangements. One local firm is Katahdin Air Services, based at Ambejesus Lake near Millinocket.
Those visiting in snow season (December - May) can snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe into the camps. Visitors can arrange with the camp hosts to haul in their gear via snowmobile. Once there enjoy the idyllic quiet, the sparkling snow, and the wood-fired sauna.
Whatever time of the year and whichever method chosen to get there, visiting Katahdin Lake Wilderness Camps is an experience that will become a treasured memory.
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