The Appalachian Trail’s northern terminus is the summit of Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak.
Katahdin is in Baxter State Park and is not accessible via public transportation. Along with being in a remote, rugged area, Baxter State Park also has regulations for entering the park and climbing the mountain to protect the special wilderness character.
This guide contains information for northbound hikers leaving the park after finishing their thru-hike and information for southbound hikers entering the park to start their hike. Friends and family meeting their hikers in Baxter State Park should read through our A.T. Friends & Family Guide to Baxter State Park.
Visit Baxter State Park’s website for more information about the park and reservations.
Northbound A.T. Hikers
Congratulations on summiting Katahdin! Whether you’re finishing an A.T. thru-hike, finishing a multi-year section hike, or completing part of your ongoing hike, we hope you had an incredible experience on the mountain.
Step 1: Get a ride to Millinocket
Your next step is to get to the nearest town, Millinocket, which is nearly an hour’s drive southeast of Baxter. There are usually daily hiker drop-offs and pick-ups in the park from local private shuttlers and hostels. Options are listed in FarOut, the Thru-Hiker’s Companion, and other guidebooks.
It’s important to arrange for your ride out of the park in advance, as there is no cell reception in the park (or in most of the 100-Mile Wilderness). You may be able to share a ride with other hikers to cut down on costs. Many of the hiker hostels and nearby lodging options offer rides to guests or bundle transportation with your stay.
Step 2: Arrange for a ride to nearby Medway or further south
After grabbing a shower and some town food in Millinocket, most A.T. hikers leaving the Trail will get a ride to nearby Medway, which is a ~15-minute drive from Millinocket and offers bus service to the larger town of Bangor or even further south to Portland, Maine. Both Bangor and Portland have an airport. Portland also has bus services to other points south like Boston and New York City.
Again, most of the hiker hostels and nearby lodging options offer rides to guests or bundle transportation with your stay. Some will even take you directly to Bangor rather than stopping in Medway. Visit the shuttle options section of our Transportation page for more options for private shuttle services from Millinocket.
Step 3: Take the bus to Bangor
Cyr Bus Lines has daily service from the Medway Irving to the Concord Coach station in Bangor.
Step 4: Take a bus or plane from Bangor home
From Bangor, you can either catch a flight from Bangor International Airport or take a bus from the Concord Coach station. The airport is a mile from the station.
Concord Coach offers service throughout New England, including to Portland International Airport in Portland, ME, which may have less expensive plane tickets than Bangor Airport.
Greyhound offers service across the U.S. from Bangor
Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
ATC Staff Tips for NOBO Hikers:
Don’t book bus or plane tickets directly after your planned summit date. Weather, crowds in Baxter, or any number of things could delay your summit date. Leaving a day or two of buffer time after your hike gives you flexibility to have a stress-free summit and end to your hike.
Stop at our Monson A.T. Visitor Center before heading into the 100-Mile Wilderness to talk through more options for summiting Katahdin and getting home.
For southbound A.T. hikers
We hope you’re getting excited for your climb up Katahdin! Those beginning their A.T. adventure in Baxter or checking off another section of the Trail will delight in the park’s rugged beauty and stunning views.
Step 1: Get a reservation in Baxter State Park
All southbound A.T. hikers entering Baxter State Park need to get either a Katahdin Trailhead Pass or a campground reservation for Katahdin Stream Campground (or other campground near Katahdin Stream). The A.T., known locally as the Hunt Trail, goes up the mountain from the Katahdin Stream Campground.
Katahdin Trailhead Pass (KTP) reservations and campground reservations can be made up to four months in advance. Note that it’s easier to get campground reservations early in the season (June), mid-week, and after Labor Day.
- If you plan to summit on the first day of your campground reservation, you’ll also need a KTP for that day.
- If you plan to summit the day after your campground reservation starts, you do not need a KTP.
- We recommend a two-night campground reservation if possible (for the night before and after your summit). This gives you the most flexibility and then you don’t need a campground reservation and a KTP, and you won’t have a nine-mile hike the same day you have already climbed up and down the mountain (10.4 miles roundtrip, 4,600+ foot elevation gain and loss).
Visit the park’s website for reservations or call their reservation line: 207-723-5140
Oliver Hudgins
Step 2: Prepare for starting in northern Maine
Millinocket and other small towns in northern Maine have limited services. There is one outfitter in Millinocket. So, it’s important to properly prepare and bring everything you need for your hike with you or call the outfitter ahead to make sure they stock what you need (for example, you cannot fly with fuel canisters).
There is no cell service in Baxter State Park and no running water or electricity. There are also no trash cans, resupply options, or ATMs in the park.
If you’ll be continuing south through the 100-Mile Wilderness, come to the park with 7-10 days’ worth of food and supplies. You will not have another chance to resupply until you reach Monson.
Step 3: Get to the park
Reverse Steps 1 – 4 of the northbound hiker portion of this guide to arrange for getting to Millinocket and then into the park: Take a plane or bus to Bangor and either arrange for a shuttle to pick you up in Bangor or take the Cyr Bus from Bangor to Medway and get picked up by a shuttle there.
James Davis
ATC Staff Tips for SOBO Hikers
It is easier to get campground reservations early in the season (June), mid-week, and after Labor Day.
Be sure to let friends and family know that you will likely be out of contact during your time in the park and the 100-Mile Wilderness since cell service is extremely limited.
Stop at our Monson A.T. Visitor Center when you reach Monson to pick up your A.T. hangtag and talk about Trail conditions, getting through the White Mountains, and local advice!
