Maine’s Baxter State Park Named One of America’s Top Fall Destinations – Plan Your Adventure Today

There is something special about hiking in the fall here in Maine.

It's a tranquil stroll, with perfectly crisp weather and the unquestionable beauty of fall foliage.

While the entire state is filled with wonderful places to explore, one location is being singled out as one of the best in the entire country to enjoy the season.

Does Maine Have One of the Best State Parks for Fall Foliage?

Outdoors.com recently released an article on the best state parks to experience fall foliage, selecting just 10 in total. And wouldn't you know it—the first park listed was Baxter State Park.

Located in Piscataquis County in north-central Maine, Baxter State Park spans over 200,000 acres and serves as a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is known for its pristine waters, stunning scenery, world-class hiking, excellent fishing spots, unique wildlife, and outstanding camping.

Many of Maine's Best Mountain Trails Can be Found in Baxter State Park

Baxter is also home to many of Maine's tallest peaks, including Mount Katahdin (the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail), as well as Baxter and Hamlin Peaks, North and South Brother, Doubletop, and others. Many of these peaks are easily connected by the park's trail system, making it truly a hiker's paradise.

With all that being said, it's no surprise that when you add Maine's impeccable fall foliage to the mix, it's bound to be recognized—and that's exactly what happened here.

Outdoors.com highlighted Baxter State Park's 300 miles of trails and its most prominent foliage trees, including maple, oak, and birch. It also pointed out that the peak season for foliage is from early to mid-October.

As special as Baxter is to visit in the fall (or really, any time), it somehow remains somewhat underrated. This is probably due to Acadia National Park receiving so much attention, especially from tourists. But I’m not complaining—I’d absolutely hate to see titanic-sized crowds at Baxter. Park officials are wise to limit the number of campers and day passes, which helps keep the park as authentic as possible. It’s a true gift for Mainers.

Congrats to Baxter on its inclusion in this list! Now, all I can think about is my next trip to this amazing park. Soon enough.