Baxter State Park — Mount Katahdin
Maine · State Park · Northeast Region
Baxter State Park exists because a Maine governor spent 30 years of his own money buying it, then donated it to the state with the condition it remain 'forever wild.' No motels, no restaurants, no paved roads to the summit. Mount Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, the end of 2,190 miles. The Knife Edge trail, a quarter-mile of exposed ridge with 3,000-foot drops on both sides, is the most exhilarating terrain in the Northeast. Couples who earn this one are getting something almost no one else has.
- Best season
- Mid-May–mid-October; summit accessible July–September
- Permit required
- Varies
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Max group size
- 12 people
Permit Information
No formal wedding permit required for small, intimate ceremonies, but you must contact the park to inform them of your plans (group size and location) before your visit. Baxter operates under a 'forever wild' charter that strongly discourages large groups. Day-use parking reservations required for all visitors and fill within minutes when the season opens in April. Call the Park Manager or Ranger at 207-723-5140. Commercial use and media require a separate permit via the 'Research/Commercial Us…
Ceremony Spots at Baxter State Park — Mount Katahdin
- Chimney Pond — Ceremony at a glacial tarn in the granite bowl beneath Katahdin's summit ridges
- Sandy Stream Pond — Accessible ceremony at a wildlife-rich pond with a classic Katahdin reflection in still water
View full elopement guide for Baxter State Park — Mount Katahdin