Everything you Need to Know About Camping at South Branch Pond Campground
Name: South Branch Pond Campground
Location: Baxter State Park
Activities: Camping, hiking, swimming, paddling, fishing, nature watching.
Dog-friendly: No
Season: May-October
Camping: Yes
Fees: Yes, click here for fees
South Branch Pond Campground offers a quintessential wilderness camping experience. Nestled in the valley between South Branch Mountain and North Traveler Mountain, it provides explorers unparalleled tranquility. The campground is encompassed by thick forest, mountains, and several picturesque small ponds and streams, making it the perfect home base for your Baxter State Park adventures.
In this blog post, I will be sharing everything you need to know about camping at South Branch Pond Campground—when to make a reservation, how to access the campground, what to bring, the best time of year to visit, campground amenities, my favorite hiking trails, and more!
About Baxter State Park
South Branch Campground is one of several campgrounds based in Baxter State Park, most of which cater to adventurers from all over the world to hike Katahdin, the last peak on the Appalachian Trail, standing 5267’ tall. In addition to campgrounds, the park has over 209,000 acres of forest, lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers, all surrounded by rugged mountains. Baxter State Park is known for its commitment to conservation, maintaining a "forever wild" status with minimal development to preserve its natural beauty and diverse wildlife.
How to Make a Camping Reservation in Baxter State Park
If you are planning a trip during the Summer and Fall (June-October), camping reservations can be made up to four months in advance, either via phone (207-723-5140), in person at the Baxter State Park headquarters in Millinocket, via mail, or online using the Baxter State Park website. Personally, I find calling to make a reservation easiest. Reservations for the month of May have to be made via phone, mail, or in-person.
Accessing South Branch Pond Campground
You can access the campground two ways—either by entering Baxter State Park through the Togue Pond Gatehouse and driving North on the Park Tote Road for about 36 miles (which takes about two hours) or entering Baxter State Park through the Matagamon Gate, and then driving 30 minutes on the Park Tote Road. The choice is yours. Personally, I find entering through Matagamon Gate to be preferable, mostly due to how few people come and go through that gate daily. I also feel it is necessary to share that all the roads in the park are dirt, so make sure your car is in tip top shape before your trip.
Whichever gate you enter through, you will need to arrive at the park before 8:30p.m., or else you will be turned away. All vehicles entering the park are required to stop and check-in with the ranger at the gatehouse. They will ask you if you are visiting for the day or staying in the park. Be prepared to provide them with a copy or picture of your camping reservation, as well as a form of I.D (license, passport, etc.). They will give you a map of the park, a parking pass, a copy of park rules and regulations, and a campground map.
About South Branch Pond Campground
South Branch Pond Campground is located in the NorthWest corner of Baxter State Park, nestled in the valley between North Traveler Mountain and South Branch Mountain. The campground sits at the very top of the Lower South Branch Pond. South Branch is the largest campground in Baxter—with twenty-one tent sites, eight waterfront lean-to sites, four wooded lean-to sites, a bunk house that sleeps eight, and several primitive toilets. It also has a picnic area, dock, and a small rocky shoreline.
Campground Activities
Hiking
There are several hikes you can access right from South Branch Pond Campground.
Here are a few of my favorites:
The Traveler Loop (10 miles, hard)
The Traveler Loop is on par with summiting Katahdin, with an elevation gain of 3,700ft. To complete the loop, start at the trailhead across from site 19 in South Branch Campground. Then, follow the Pogy Notch Trail, the Center Ridge Trail, the Traveler Mountain Trail, and finish by descending the North Traveler Trail. The Traveler Loop is a strenuous 10-mile trek, a lot of which is above treeline, making for an exposed but rewarding hike. The three beautiful peaks offer hikers breathtaking views in solitude, as very few people tend to hike the Traveler Loop.
South Branch Falls (0.8 miles, easy)
South Branch Falls is an easy, fun-for-all-ages waterfall hike! The trailhead is located about halfway down South Branch Pond road, so I would recommend driving there. You’ll see a small sign and kiosk for South Branch Falls and a small roadside parking lot. A short, rocky trail will bring you to several small waterfalls and emerald green pools—perfect for swimming on a hot Summer day.
Howe Brook Trail (4 miles if accessing the trailhead via canoe, 6 miles if accessing the trailhead via Pogy Notch Trail, moderate)
Campers staying at South Branch Pond Campground can rent a canoe for only $1/hour, paddle across Lower South Branch Pond towards Howe Brook Trail and stow their canoe at the landing while they hike. From the landing, hike 0.1 miles to the Howe Brook Trailhead. If you choose not to canoe, start at the trailhead across from campsite 19. Follow the Pogy Notch Trail for 1 mile and then take a left onto the Howe Brook Trail. This trail is a lot of fun—it ascends along the brook for about a mile, providing several picturesque falls, chutes, and pools along the way. Then, the trail breaks away from the brook for the remainder of the hike and gradually inclines until you reach the beautiful Howe Brook Falls. Be sure to bring your swimsuit and wear footwear with good grip.
Nature Watching
There is plenty of wildlife to watch around South Branch Pond Campground. Campers can enjoy bird watching (we saw several hawks, eagles, and loons) search for bunnies around the campground, wake up really early to try and find a moose, or sit on the dock and spot fish in the pond.
Swimming
Lower South Branch Pond is a great place to swim! There is a small rocky beach that beings in front of the picnic area and spans all the way to lean-to number seven. The bottom of the pond is quite rocky, so consider bringing water shoes with good grip if you are unsteady on your feet. Other fun swimming options include the refreshing natural pools and chutes along the Howe Brook Trail and the emerald green pools at the end of the South Branch Falls Trail.
Canoe Rentals
One of my favorite things about Baxter State Park is that they offer canoe and kayak rentals at every pond side campground in the park. The sign out sheet can usually be found at the ranger station, along with life jackets and paddles. Payment is completed using an honor system where you slip cash into a slot at the ranger station for every hour you used the rental. As of 2024, rentals were one dollar per hour.
Insider Tips for Visiting South Branch Pond Campground
What to Pack
South Branch Pond Campground is what I like to call a wilderness campground. Essentially, this means that they provide the “wilderness” (camp site, outhouse, and a fire ring) and you have to bring literally everything else. You will need to bring water (for cooking AND drinking), anything you need for cooking meals and cleaning dishes (pots, pans, a stove, propane, dish basin, garbage bags, etc.), a tent and/or bedding, as well as anything else you will need to be comfortable. I would strongly advise that you bring a tarp, rope, a first aid kit, flashlights and/or headlamps, and a paper map of the park. If you do not camp frequently, be sure to check out my camping checklist to help with packing.
What NOT to Pack
It’s also important to know what NOT to bring camping in Baxter State Park. Pets of any kind are not allowed in the park for the protection of wildlife, plants, and other precious ecosystems. Motorcycles are prohibited inside the park, as are large RV’s, generators of any kind, and firewood from outside the park. Firewood can be purchased at the campground for a fair price.
Parking
Campers are allowed to park one car at your campsite. Any additional vehicles will need to be parked in the overflow parking lot.
Be Smaht and Bring Cash
Having cash on hand is always smart—especially when visiting Baxter State Park. It’s helpful for purchasing firewood and canoe/kayak rentals, paying for gas or a tow in emergencies, or paying campground fees if you decide to change your plans. I usually take out $100-$150 in cash any time I go on a camping trip.
Best Time to Visit
In my humble opinion, Baxter State Park is the most enjoyable during the Summer (June-September) months when temperatures are welcoming to activities such as hiking, swimming, and canoeing.
Leave no Trace
When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. It’s as simple as picking up after yourself, staying on the trails, and leaving nature just as beautiful as you found it. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of places like Baxter State Park for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.
If you’re seeking a wilderness camping experience that involves no electricity or running water—but a whole lot of making s’mores over a campfire, hiking to waterfalls, swimming in emerald green pools, and listening to loon calls—South Branch Pond Campground was made for you. The sooner you make a reservation, the sooner you can start making memorable memories!
Interested in more insider Maine camping tips and recommendations? You can find them all here.
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MyMaine
