Millinocket is a town of 4,500 in Highlands (Maine).
Understand
Historically a center for paper production, today Millinocket is best known as being the gateway to Baxter State Park and for its proximity to the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
Get in
By car
Downtown Millinocket is a 70-minute drive north from Bangor via Interstate I-95. The state capitol Augusta is a little over two hours away while Maine's largest city, Portland, is a three-hour drive South. Houlton, on the border with New Brunswick, Canada is about one hour northeast of town.
By plane
If you have your own airplane, for there is a local airport. There is also a float plane service off the Golden Road to the west, near Baxter State Park.
By bus
Several businesses, including the hostel, will pick you up in Medway or Bangor on request if you fly or ride the bus to one of those.
By boat
Maybe you could paddle in on the Penobscot.
Get around
Drive or walk.
See
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Don't miss the view from Baxter Peak on Mount Katahdin, several miles west.
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Ambajejus Boom House is nearby, as is the Antique Snowmobile Museum.
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A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 starts at 3:31PM local time and lasts 3 min. The chances of a clear sky are 30%. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico and Texas to Ohio straddling the Canada–New England border, then across Maine to New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Do
Plenty to do if you like the outdoors, including white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, peakbagging, ATVing, snowmobiling, cc skiing, snowshoeing.
- Baxter State Park, 46.0333°, -68.9333°. Donated to the state by former governor Percival Baxter, this is a very wild park. All camping by reservation (but often openings come available). Everything is carry in/carry out, there is no potable water and no trash cans. Rangers are very friendly and helpful. Lots of hiking trails. Lots of peaks and lakes and chipmunks.
Buy
Two grocery stores east of town, IGA and Hannaford. Also a Family Dollar here. Several smaller general stores around town. A couple of hardware stores.
Eat
- Chinese, there are 2 Chinese restaurants here.
- Pizza in the shopping center with Family Dollar
- Appalachian Trail Cafe at 210 Penobscot Ave.
There are other places.
Drink
Water. But filter it if you're in Baxter State Park.
Sleep
Hotels, There are at least five hotels there. See below. There are also several hotels/lodges/resorts to the west toward Baxter State Park. There are also several Bed and Breakfasts in town.
- Katahdin Inn and Suites Right behind the Right Aid, next to Family Dollar.
- Baxter Park Inn, not associated with Baxter State Park.
- New England Outdoor Centers Lodge on lake Millinocket.
- Pamola Motor Lodge
- Ruthie's Hotel Terrace and Restaurant, looks more like a restaurant, but they do have rooms.
- Appalachian Trail Lodge, a hostel. Also has showers for $3.
Campgrounds
There are plenty of campgrounds out west of town toward Baxter State Park. A couple of those are on the Golden Road, which runs parallel and south of the state park road.
Connect
If you need contact via Internet, there is a public library at the corner of Hill Street and Maine Avenue. They have computers available for public use and have free Wi-Fi access.