To hike Katahdin from the main trailheads in Baxter State Park, you generally need a reservation called the Katahdin Trailhead Pass (KTP). It replaced the older Day Use Parking Reservation. Here is how it works: which trailheads need one, when booking opens, the limits, and what to do if you don’t have one.
Planning your days? See our guide to things to do in Millinocket, from Katahdin and rafting to the national monument and winter trails.
Do You Need a Reservation to Hike Katahdin?
Usually, yes. A KTP is required for anyone hiking from a Katahdin trailhead who isn’t camping in the park the night before. One pass covers all passengers in a vehicle. KTPs are not required in May.
Which Trailheads Require a Katahdin Trailhead Pass?
Only the three Katahdin trailheads: Roaring Brook, Abol, and Katahdin Stream. Trails from these lots that don’t climb Katahdin, such as The Owl and South Turner Mountain, also require a pass. All other parking lots in the park are first-come, first-served.
How KTP Reservations Work
- When booking opens: April 1, for any summer day. You can book online, by phone, or in person.
- Limit: 2 reservations per calendar month for June through October.
- Cost: the fee was $10 per vehicle for the 2025 season. Confirm the current amount when you book.
- Refunds: sales are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Expiry: your pass expires if you are not in the line at the Togue Pond Gate by 7:00 a.m. on your hike day.
For the 2025 season, the park reserved most of each day’s passes for Maine residents (70% to 100%) and allowed non-residents up to 30%. Check the park’s reservation site for how the split works this year.
Do You Need a Pass If You’re Camping in the Park?
Not if you’re already camping in the park the night before your hike. Campers who enter the park the same night they plan to hike do need a KTP. Backcountry campers with a reservation, for example at Russell Pond, may park at Roaring Brook without one. These rules are from the park’s 2025 season page, so confirm them before you go.
No Reservation? The First-Come Line
You can still try the first-come line at the Togue Pond Gate. The park is open for day use from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the gate opens at 6 a.m. with KTP holders entering first. After 7 a.m., passes that weren’t claimed go to people without reservations. On all but the busiest summer days, most people in line by 7 a.m. can hike Katahdin, but trailhead lots can fill within the first two hours after the gate opens.
Entrance Fee for Non-Residents
Maine residents enter Baxter State Park free. Non-residents pay a per-vehicle entrance fee, which was $20 on the park’s 2025 season page. The park’s fees page has the current amount.
When Do Katahdin Trails Open?
It varies with snow. In 2026, the first Katahdin trails and the Traveler Mountain ridge trails opened about two weeks before the park announced all trails open on June 10, according to the Bangor Daily News. Spring conditions such as lingering snow and fallen trees can last into early summer. Weather near the summit can change quickly, with strong winds and cold temperatures even in summer.
How to Contact the Reservation Office
Call 207-723-5140. Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week, and winter hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours can change without notice. Reservations are also available at reservation.baxterstatepark.org and park information is at baxterstatepark.org.
Baxter State Park Reservation FAQ
What is the Katahdin Trailhead Pass?
It is the day-use parking reservation for the Roaring Brook, Abol, and Katahdin Stream trailheads. It used to be called the Day Use Parking Reservation.
How many passes can I reserve?
Two per calendar month for June through October. One pass covers every passenger in your vehicle.
Do I need a pass in May?
No. KTPs are not required in May.
Can I transfer or get a refund on my pass?
No. Sales are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Do I need a pass for trails other than Katahdin?
Only for trails starting at the Roaring Brook, Abol, and Katahdin Stream lots. Other parking lots in the park are first-come, first-served.
Planning more time in the area? See our guides to Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Reservation rules, limits, and fees are set by Baxter State Park and can change each season. Confirm the details with the park before you go.