Advice on hiking plans.

[HumblePuff]

I am trying to plan a week or10 day hike sometime during this summer. I am considering if I will need to stay at a shelter or just set up my tent somewhere. Hopefully if I can i am going to start at baxter state park in Maine. I'd like to see MT Katahdin. I looked up some info about the park and you need to make advance reservations to stay at the campsites and the messege I got was they were usually filled up . If that is the case. Do I have to pay to stay at another shelter along the appalacian trail. How much do shelters cost?If so how much do they cost and do I need to make reservations for another shelter. I sent for a trail guidebook from the appalacian trail headquaters and have read alot of books about the trail. But they dont mention things like this in them.

thanks

[Lone Wolf]

You only have to pay at Baxter. The rest of the shelters and campsites in Maine on the AT are free except Speck Pond which is way south of Baxter.

[TJ aka Teej]

Hopefully if I can i am going to start at baxter state park in Maine. I'd like to see MT Katahdin. I looked up some info about the park and you need to make advance reservations to stay at the campsites and the messege I got was they were usually filled up

You can see and hike Katahdin as a day visitor to Baxter Park. If you'd like to camp and know the date/s, give them a call and ask about availability. The staff is great and very willing to help first time visitors. You might find that it's worth a shot at mailordering for a date and campsite location they tip you on. If you're not yet sure of the date you'll be up there, you can call the Park when you decide. A new policy allows visitors to call within 10 days of the date they want to camp and make reservations with a credit card over the phone.
They a great website at www.BaxterStateParkAuthority.com
hope this helps,