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BAXTER STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS 2006
Summary: These rules, adopted by the Baxter State Park Authority (the
"Authority") pursuant to 12 M.R.S.A. Sec. 903, govern the use of Baxter
State Park (the "Park") by the public. No provision of these rules
applies to law enforcement or administrative personnel in the course of
their official duties. Any delegation of authority to the Director under
these rules includes delegation to the Director's designee. In addition
to any specific provision contained in these rules, the Director may
restrict public uses or activities within the Park as necessary to
preserve or protect the Park or to assure the safety of Park users.
1. RESERVATIONS: Camping is permitted only by reservation in
authorized campgrounds and campsites. The Authority and Director may
establish administrative policies and procedures for the processing of
reservations.
2. FEES: The Authority may from time to time establish fees for the
use of the Park by the public.
3. VEHICLES: No vehicle over 9 feet high, 7 feet wide, or 22 feet
long for a single vehicle or 44 feet long for combined units may enter
the Park. Oversize units may be authorized to use the Park road system
by special use permit, subject to conditions set by the Director. The
Director may restrict the use of vehicles by persons without camping
reservations.
4. PETS OR RELEASING ANIMALS: Pets or other domestic animals are not
allowed in the Park. Releasing or introducing any animal in the Park is
prohibited.
5. ENTRANCE REGISTRATION: Persons entering or leaving the Park by
road must stop and register at the gate; persons entering by an
unstaffed gate must self-register. Persons entering or leaving the Park
by way of the Appalachian Trail must register at Katahdin Stream
Campground. Persons entering the Park at locations other than a
gatehouse, a self-registration gate, or the Appalachian Trail must
register with Park Headquarters or a gatehouse in advance. From May 15
to October 15 the Togue Pond Gate will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at
10:00 p.m., and the Matagamon Gate will open at 6:00 a.m. and close at
9:00 p.m., unless the Director modifies the gatehouse hours.
6. ENTRANCE PERMITS: All vehicles, other than vehicles that enter by
self-registration, must display an entrance permit while in the Park.
Vehicles parked overnight without an entrance permit displayed may be
towed away at the owner's expense.
7. CAMPING: Camping is permitted only in authorized campgrounds and
campsites May 15 through October 15 and December 1 through March 31.
Tents may not be pitched in lean-to sites. Because campgrounds may be
distant from the gatehouse, campers should check driving times and plan
accordingly. Except as otherwise permitted by the Director, campers must
register at the gatehouse no later than 8:30 P.M. The latest check-out
time is 11:00 A.M., and the earliest check-in time is 1:00 P.M.
8. PARKING: Within each campground or picnic area, all vehicles must
park in designated areas. Only one vehicle may park at each campsite for
which parking space is provided. No vehicle may park on the traveled
portion of any Park road, or obstruct a designated parking space.
9. TRAFFIC: No person may operate any vehicle within the Park so as
to endanger any person or property, nor operate a vehicle in excess of
20 miles per hour, or the posted speed limit, whichever is less.
10. GROUPS: Prior registration is required for day use groups of 12
or more people. Registration may be made by telephone beginning April 1,
and should be made as far in advance as possible.
11. MINORS: All groups of five (5) or more persons under 16 years of
age must be accompanied by at least one (1) responsible person, of at
least 18 years of age, for each five (5) minors.
12. FIRES: Fires or other cooking or heating devices are permitted
only in designated campsites or picnic areas. No person may leave a fire
without totally extinguishing it, nor discard any burning cigarettes,
cigars, matches, or any other burning material within the Park. At
Chimney Pond and Davis Pond, open fires are prohibited and only gas or
propane stoves are allowed.
Any fire outside a designated fireplace must be reported to the
nearest Park Ranger at once.
13. LITTER: All trash and litter must be carried out of the Park. Use
of plastic sheeting is prohibited in outlying sites.
14. WASHING: Use of any soap or detergent, or the disposal of food
scraps, in any waters is prohibited.
15. FEEDING ANIMALS: No person may feed, bait, or disturb any animal
within the Park, with the exception that baiting of animals for trapping
purposes is permitted north of Trout Brook and Wadleigh Brook in T6 R9;
in T6 R10; or in T2 R9 and in T2 R10 north of the West Branch of the
Penobscot River, east to Abol Stream and west to the West Branch of the
Penobscot River.
16. DISTURBANCES: No person may create a disturbance that impairs the
enjoyment of the Park by others. Campground quiet hours are posted and
enforced.
17. CLIMBING OR MOUNTAIN HIKING: Climbing or mountain hiking may be
restricted at the discretion of the Director. Park users must be
reasonably prepared and equipped, and must take reasonable precautions
against endangering themselves or others. Hikers must wear appropriate
footwear and clothing, and must carry a working flashlight. No children
under the age of six (6) years are allowed above timberline.
Registration of technical rock/ice climbers is required. The Baxter
State Park Authority may request reimbursement of search and rescue
costs in cases of reckless hikers.
18. AIRCRAFT: Landing aircraft in the Park is prohibited except on
Matagamon, Nesowadnehunk and Webster Lakes. People landing in the Park
via plane must pre-register for each trip.
19. BOATS: Persons using motorboats must register for day use within
Baxter State Park. All boats and canoes left in the Park and not
registered with Park Headquarters will be disposed of as abandoned
property. The use of motor boats or outboard motors in the Park is
prohibited except on Matagamon and Webster Lakes. Outboard motors of ten
(10) horsepower or less are permitted on Upper and Lower Togue Ponds.
20. MOTORCYCLES, ATV'S, BICYCLES and PARASAILING: Motorcycles,
motorized trail bikes, and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited within
the Park. Bicycles are allowed on maintained roads only with the
exception of roads in the Scientific Forest Management Area (SFMA) where
bicycles are prohibited. No person shall fly, cause to be flown, or
permit any model craft, hot air balloon or hang gliding device of any
kind in the Park..
21. SNOWMOBILES: Snowmobiles may be used on Matagamon, Nesowadnehunk,
and Webster Lakes on the one mile section of the East Branch of the
Penobscot River in T6 R9; and on the following road segments:
a. The Park Tote Road between the southern boundry of T2 R9 to the
beginning of Route159 in T6 R8;
b. The so called Logan Pond Road along the north shore of Lower Togue
Pond;
c. The Park Tote Road between Matagamon Gate and the public road
leading to the northern entrance of the Park;
d. The spur trail between the Park Tote Road and Camp Phoenix; and
e. The spur road south of Route 159 along the west side of the East
Branch of the Penobscot River in T5 R8.
Unauthorized use of snowmobiles in any other portion of the Park is
prohibited. Operators of snowmobiles must comply with all requirements
of State Law.
22. FIREARMS, HUNTING, AND TRAPPING: Hunting and trapping are
prohibited within the Park. Use or possession of any firearm, bow and
arrow, sling shot, or air rifle or pistol is prohibited. Firearms may be
transported through the Park if kept in a car trunk, enclosed in a case,
or otherwise inaccessible to use. Bows may be transported through the
Park if unstrung or enclosed in a case. This rule does not apply north
of Trout Brook and Wadleigh Brook in T6 R9; in T6 R10; or in T2 R9 and
in T2 R10 north of the West Branch of the Penobscot River, east to the
thread of Abol Stream and west to the thread of the West Branch of the
Penobscot River. Hunting with dogs is prohibited as defined in BSP Rule
#4. General laws of the State pertaining to hunting and trapping apply
in those areas, except that moose hunting and baiting any animals for
hunting purposes are prohibited.
23. FISHING: Maine fishing laws and the rules of the Maine Department
of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife apply within the Park. Maine fishing
licenses are required.
24. PROTECTION OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES: No person may
remove any natural or cultural object from the Park. Use of metal
detectors and similar devices is prohibited. No person may deface,
paint, damage, mutilate, or vandalize any natural or cultural object, or
any structure or sign, within the Park. Possession of paint or marking
materials, or tampering with, altering, or removing any sign, marker, or
structure, is prohibited. Driving nails or permanently installing any
object is prohibited.
25. AUDIO DEVICES: Audio devices such as radios, televisions,
cassette players, or cellular telephones may not be operated within the
Park.
26. POWER EQUIPMENT: Chainsaws, generators, and other power equipment
may not be operated within the Park.
27. LIQUOR AND DRUGS: General laws of the State pertaining to liquor
and drugs apply within the Park. Maine law prohibits drinking of
alcoholic beverages in public places.
28. CLOSED AREAS: During periods of forest fire danger or other
emergency conditions, the Authority or Director may close the Park or
any portion thereof. No person may enter or remain in closed areas
except as authorized by the Authority or Director.
29. SPECIAL RESEARCH STUDIES: Research studies within the Park
require a special use permit issued by the Director. Requests for use of
the Park for research studies must be submitted to the Director in
writing nine months in advance of the proposed research, except as
expressly authorized by the Director.
30. VIOLATIONS: All persons violating these rules may be punished in
accordance with 12 M.R.S.A. Sec. 903. Persons violating other applicable
laws within the Park may also be punished in accordance with the
provisions of those laws.In addition, persons violating these rules may
be required immediately to leave the Park, and the Authority may revoke
the privilege of any person who violates these rules to enter the Park
for a specified period.
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