“Leaf” No Trace This Fall
Fall leaves on the Appalachian Trail are a great reason to plan a visit. Be sure to know before you go and practice Leave No Trace principles on your fall trips.
Read MoreWelcome to Pennsylvania
Maine is the A.T.’s most challenging, rugged and remote state, and it has the wildest feel of any area of the Trail. Maine offers some exciting features that are uncommon elsewhere on the A.T., including wildlife like moose and loons and pristine lakes. It’s also famous for hosting the hardest mile of the Trail: Mahoosuc Notch
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282
A.T. Miles in State
2-10 Rating
Easy to Difficult
490'–5,267'
Elevation Range in Feet
PA Trail Updates
View AllNeed to Know
River & Stream Crossings
Maine is famous for its unbridged stream crossings, which are often extremely dangerous after spring snowmelt and heavy rains. The Kennebec River, the widest unbridged crossing, has a ferry service in the form of a canoe during hiking season. This is the A.T.’s official and historic route; fording the river is extremely dangerous because the water level can rise rapidly and without warning.
Learn MoreA.T. Visitor Center in Monson
Everyone is welcome. Long-distance hikers are able to obtain information about the Baxter State Park hiker permit. Staff are available to help plan logistics for the 100 Mile Wilderness and Katahdin. Trail conditions posted daily. Community and day hike information also available. Open seasonally from June through October. Visit our Monson Visitor Center page for current dates and hours.
Address: 6 Tenney Hill Rd., Monson, ME 04464
Phone: 413-200-0313
Email: monsonvisitorcenter@appalachiantrail.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/monsonatvisitorcenter
Note to those visiting: The center is located in the Monson Historical Society building on the town’s main street (Route 6/15).
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A.T. Long Distance Hiker Permit – Baxter State Park
A free A.T. long distance hiker permit is required of all long-distance A.T. hikers: Northbound Thru-Hikers (Nobos), Southbound Thru-Hikers (Sobos), Flip-Flop Thru-Hikers and Section-hikers. Long distance A.T. hikers must obtain a permit card in person at the Katahdin Stream Ranger Station before climbing the Hunt Trail (the A.T. route up Katahdin).
The number of AT-Hiker Permit Cards are limited to an annual Baxter State Park quota: 3150 A.T. hikers. If all available permit cards have been issued, “The Birches” long distance hiker campsite will close for the year. Hikers may complete their hike by obtaining a Day Use Parking Reservation (DUPR) or campground reservation. [Note: A hiker’s initial entry into Baxter will be on foot from Abol Bridge, not through Togue Pond Gate, even if “The Birches” is closed.]”
Baxter State Park
Baxter State Park A.T. Hiker Permit FAQs
In 2017, Baxter State Park instituted an Appalachian Trail (A.T.) Hiker Permit system which limits the number of permit cards available to long-distance hikers seeking to climb Katahdin to the northern terminus of the Trail. We have compiled some of the most common questions below about the logistics of this system.
Baxter State Park provides basic information for A.T. hikers. For additional details and recent updates, check www.appalachiantrail.org/updates or get in touch with the Monson A.T. Visitor Center.
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Pennsylvania Clubs & Partners
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At AMC, connecting you to the freedom and exhilaration of the outdoors is our calling. We invite and help people of all ages and abilities to explore and develop a deep appreciation of the natural world. AMC helps you get outdoors on your own, with family and friends, and through activities close to home and beyond. With chapters from Maine to Washington, D.C., including groups in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, you can enjoy activities like hiking, paddling, cycling, and skiing, and learn new outdoor skills. We offer advice, guidebooks, maps, and unique lodges and huts to inspire your next outing. You will also have the opportunity to support our conservation advocacy and research, youth programming, and work maintaining 1,800 miles of trails. We invite you to join us in the outdoors.
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A.T. Communities in Maine
There are 4 communities along Maine’s Appalachian Trail corridor that have been recognized in the A.T. Community™ program. These towns are assets for everyone who uses the A.T., providing food, supplies, recreation, history, volunteer opportunities and so much more. Find special events and promotions, plan your own A.T. adventures — whether for an afternoon or for multiple days — and explore everything these communities have to offer.
Leave No Trace
Report an Incident
While the Appalachian Trail is a relatively safe place to visit, that does not mean that there are not potential dangers while you are hiking or camping. If you see something, say something — this will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible for our visitors.
Online Incident Report Form