Paddling in the Park
Lakes, ponds, and streams in Baxter State Park are waiting for you to dip your paddle in the water.
How To Baxter
Our instructional video series, How to Baxter, provides fun and practical advice for taking on the Park’s best adventures. Narrated by Maine’s own Bill Green, our second episode teaches you how to get on the water safely.
-
Rentals
There are canoes and kayaks available for rent at every campground near water and at most backcountry ponds. Some of the backcountry canoes require a key so be sure to check with the gate or ranger station at the trailhead to get the key before hiking in. Rentals are on the honor system at $1 per hour or $8 per day. Pay at the nearest Ranger station or gatehouse.
-
Where to Paddle
Excellent paddling opportunities can be found throughout Baxter State Park. Waterfront campgrounds (including Daicey, Kidney, and Russell Ponds) each have a dock or launching area and rental canoes available. If you are not an experienced paddler, these ponds are a good place to start. Rental canoes are also available at many backcountry ponds. Here’s a list of all of those great places and where to get the key.
Whitewater Canoeing Most whitewater opportunities in the Katahdin area are outside the Park. Inside the Park, you’ll find Webster Stream includes class 1, 2 and 3 waters and a class 5 drop at Grand Pitch. Water levels in Webster Stream are strongly influenced by rain events as well as changes in the dam gates upstream at Telos Dam. This is a very remote area and camping reservations are required. It’s quite a trip, requiring sufficient time to paddle the 9-mile stream and reach another campsite on Matagamon Lake or exit the Park via Trout Brook Farm.