First off, let me just make this perfectly clear: Unless you are an active, outdoorsy type—or at least enjoy being surrounded by the raw beauty of true wilderness—you won’t find the Baxter State Park region to your liking.
The attractions are purely of the natural sort, and the definition of “amenities” around here typically equates to serviceable bathrooms and perhaps a meal of comfort food in a diner-style restaurant.
So, if you’re on the hunt for a five-star, boutique lodging experience near Baxter State Park, I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong pine tree. But if you’re just looking for clean, comfortable accommodations at which to lay your hike-weary head at night, read on, my wilderness wanderer.
Distances to the north (Matagamon) and south (Togue) entrance gates, depending on the location of the accommodation, are noted below each listing.
Map of Baxter State Park Lodging
Just because you’re in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to rough it. Check out these Baxter State Park are lodging options.
Penobscot Outdoor Center
If you’re amenable to roughing it, check out the Penobscot Outdoor Center, which is the more rustic part of the larger New England Outdoor Center (see listing below) and is closer to the park. There are cabin tents and bunkhouses available, saving you the trouble of lugging along your tent, air mattresses, and bedding.
There are bathhouses with hot showers, a volleyball court, pool tables at the pavilion, a communal fire pit, and picnic tables with fire rings at every cabin. Note that the POC does not allow pets due to the proximity of Baxter State Park.
Location: 135 Basecamp Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (10 minutes from Togue)
Website Penobscot Outdoor Center
Twin Pines at NEOC
Featuring more lodging options than the POC, Twin Pines is open year-round and offers several types of cabins as well as entire lodges—so you can be as cozy or as spread out as you want, depending on how many people you’re traveling with.
The small cabins sleep between 4-6 people, the large cabins sleep between 8-10, the premium cabins sleep up to 14, and the lodges sleep 8.
Amenities vary widely between all of the different options, but the most upscale are the premium cabins, which have top-quality woodwork, fully outfitted kitchens, leather furniture, two full bathrooms, and gas fireplaces.
There is a restaurant on-site, and canoes and kayaks are free to use on Millinocket Lake; fat tire bikes and paddleboards are available to rent.
Location: 30 Twin Pines Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (18 minutes from Togue)
Website Twin Pines at NEOC
Big Moose Inn, Cabins, & Campground
There’s a bit of everything when it comes to accommodations at Big Moose: Eight suites with private bathrooms, seven rooms with shared bathrooms, sixteen cabins (eight of which are directly on the shore of Millinocket Lake), and there are even two campgrounds on offer here.
Rooms in the Inn come with breakfast to go, and there is also a restaurant on-site that is open for dinner. Cabins do not permit pets and can accommodate anywhere from 2-16 people and all feature AC/heat, bedding, and kitchen utensils.
Note that most of the lakefront cabins and some of the trailside cabins do not have an attached bathroom; if this is the case, a private facility is located behind the cabin.
Location: 5 Frederickas Way, Millinocket, ME 04462 (14 minutes from Togue)
Website Big Moose Inn, Cabins, & Campground
Appalachian Trail Lodge
“Your one-stop hiker service and lodging provider” is how the folks at the Appalachian Trail Lodge describe themselves, and if you are in town to do some serious AT hiking, this is your go-to spot. Lodging options include hostel-style bunks in a shared room, private bedrooms for two (kitchen and bath shared with three other private bedrooms), and a suite for four with private amenities.
Offering all manner of helpful services, like shuttles to a variety of stops in the Katahdin region, food drops, and day trip organizing, the ATL is perfect for hikers of all skill levels. Families are welcome, but leave your fur babies at home.
Location: 33 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462 (27 minutes from Togue)
Website Appalachian Trail Lodge
Hotel Terrace & Restaurant
Affordable and simple, the Hotel Terrace is actually a motel and features basic, clean accommodations without any frills. There is a coffee maker, refrigerator, TV, and microwave in every room, and WiFi is included and available throughout the property.
A family-friendly restaurant and lounge are also on-site and open for lunch, only.
Location: 52 Medway Rd, Millinocket, ME 04462 (27 minutes from Togue)
Website Hotel Terrace & Restaurant
Baxter Park Inn
Offering nearly 50 clean and comfortable guestrooms, a heated indoor pool, an exercise room, and a sauna, the Baxter Park Inn is centrally located to all that Millinocket has to offer—many dining establishments are within walking distance—and less than a half-hour drive to the park.
Rooms feature refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, and free WiFi, and there is covered storage for motorcycles and snowmobiles (direct access to trails on the property).
Continental breakfast is included with your stay, there are pet-friendly rooms available, as well as suites.
Location: 935 Central St, Millinocket, ME 04462 (29 minutes from Togue)
Website Baxter Park Inn
Katahdin Inn & Suites
Located just up the road from the Baxter Park Inn, the Katahdin Inn & Suites offer guests amenities like a heated indoor pool, a game room, and an exercise room.
All accommodation options are non-smoking and come with free continental breakfast, WiFi, a microwave, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, AC/heat, and private baths (some with jetted tubs).
There are plenty of shopping and dining options within walking distance in Millinocket, and the helpful staff members can help you plan your outdoor activities by recommending reputable adventure tour companies nearby.
Location: 740 Central St, Millinocket, ME 04462 (29 minutes from Togue)
Website Katahdin Inn & Suites
Shin Pond Village
In addition to a campground, this 100-acre family-operated resort offers the gamut of lodging options, such as cottages, suites, and entire homes—the latter located right on the shore of Shin Pond. Cottages and homes are all different sizes and feature a variety of amenities; note that some are not pet-friendly.
The property features a restaurant/bar, playground, general store, boat launch, and communal guest area with satellite TV.
The folks here at Shin Pond are also Certified Polaris Adventure Outfitters, and you can rent top-quality, new snowmobiles, side-by-sides, and gear right on-site.
Location: 1489 Shin Pond Rd, Mt Chase, ME 04765 (32 minutes from Matagamon)
Website Shin Pond Village
Mt. Chase Lodge
This secluded, year-round lodging is located on Upper Shin Pond and has guest suites, cabins, and a waterfront townhome available to guests.
All of the recently-updated suites in the Lodge now have private baths and amenities like WiFi, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee makers; there is one cozy little guest room that has a private bath located down the hall.
The rustic cabins do not have WiFi but offer full baths, kitchens, and heat. And the two-story, two-bedroom home features a full kitchen as well as a large porch overlooking the pond, perfect for that first cup of coffee in the morning (or last glass of wine in the evening).
There is a restaurant on-site for breakfast and dinner, and bag lunches are available to pre-order.
Location: 1517 Shin Pond Rd, Patten, ME 04765 (34 minutes to Matagamon)
Website Mt. Chase Lodge
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