“Every section of this area is beautiful each in its own way. I do not want it locked up and made inaccessible; i want it used to the fullest extent but in the right unspoiled way.” -Governor Baxter, 1945
Beginning in 2019 any commercial or special use within Baxter State Park will require a permit. Permits will be free. Currently, Baxter Park has insufficient data regarding the number, size, character and demographic of Park visitors that would qualify as commercial/special users. This will be an effort to gather data sufficient to intelligently consider management policy and procedure regarding these uses in the Park.
The underlying motive for monetary or other personal gain defines commercial use in the Park in a way that is distinctly different from individual, family, or group use. Special use is considered to be those activities that provide a benefit to an individual, group, or organization, rather than the public at large.
The Baxter State Park Authority has expressed concern regarding commercial and special uses because:
● The use of the Park for profit by commercial entities was not endorsed by Park donor Percival Baxter in the formal or informal Trust Communications.
● The motive for financial or personal gain may result in abuse of Park resources and inappropriate impact to the experience of other visitors.
● Commercial and special uses could expand to volumes that limit the availability of Park trailheads and facilities to the general public.
Will what I want to do be considered commercial use or special use? Here are the questions to ask yourself:
● is someone getting paid for some service they are performing associated with this trip?
○ if yes, the use will be considered commercial.
● if no one is getting paid, is the trip associated with any type of organization?
○ if yes, the use will be considered special.
● if neither of these apply, the use will be considered normal and will not require permits.
Please note that Park Rule 2.1 states ‘The maximum size of a hiking group shall be 12 persons. Affiliated groups on the same trail separated by less than one mile shall be considered one group.’ Examples of different types of use:
Normal Special Commercial
family groups boy scout troops guided activities
gathering of friends outing clubs college orientation groups
individual visitors weddings photography/media
church groups shuttle/taxi services
company retreats
if you would like to be notified of changes in the commercial use permit process, please call or email Park Director, Eben Sypitkowski @ 207 723 9500,
[email protected].
