Dwelley Pond in Baxter State Park: A Remote Trout Pond and Easy Wilderness Trail

Tucked away in the northwestern wilds of Baxter State Park, Dwelley Pond is one of those quiet corners of Maine that rewards those willing to go a little off the beaten path. A small, remote trout pond reached by an easy, nearly flat trail, it offers a lean-to shelter, a rentable canoe, and some of the deepest backcountry peace in the park. For hikers, paddlers, and anglers who want the North Woods to themselves, it is a hidden gem. Here is a guide to Dwelley Pond.

About Dwelley Pond

Dwelley Pond is a small, secluded trout pond in the northwest part of Baxter State Park, deep in the wilderness that former Governor Percival Baxter set aside to remain “forever wild.” It is the kind of place where the loudest sound is often a loon or the wind in the spruces. At the pond you will find a simple lean-to shelter with a picnic table and an outhouse, and — a real treat — a locked canoe available for a small hourly fee, so you can paddle out onto the still water without hauling your own boat into the backcountry.

The Dwelley Pond Trail

Getting to the pond is refreshingly gentle. The Dwelley Pond Trail, together with its McCarty Field extension, runs about 5.2 miles between two trailheads on the Park Tote Road, following a section of the old tote road that has been converted into a foot-and-bike path. The terrain is relatively flat, making this an easy day hike — or a pleasant mountain-bike ride — rather than a strenuous climb. You can walk the whole trail between trailheads, or simply head in to the pond and back for a shorter, family-friendly outing.

Getting There

Dwelley Pond sits well into the park, so the journey is part of the adventure. From Millinocket, drive about 16 miles northwest to the Togue Pond Gatehouse; after entering the park, bear left onto the gravel Park Tote Road and follow it roughly 22 miles. The Dwelley Pond Trailhead is on the right, about 5.7 miles past the Nesowadnehunk Field Campground. The tote road is slow, narrow, and unpaved — drive carefully and give yourself plenty of time to soak in the wild scenery along the way.

Fishing and Paddling

Dwelley Pond is a classic Maine trout pond, prized by anglers for its quiet, cold water and wild brook trout. The shared canoe kept at the pond makes it easy to fish or simply drift and take in the reflections of forest and sky. Bring your own gear and a valid Maine fishing license, and remember that Baxter’s remote ponds have their own special regulations, so check the rules before you cast. Watch the shoreline, too, for moose, which are often seen feeding in the shallows at dawn and dusk.

Baxter State Park

Dwelley Pond is one small piece of a vast wilderness. Baxter State Park covers more than 200,000 acres, assembled through 28 land gifts from Governor Percival P. Baxter between 1931 and 1962 and kept deliberately undeveloped. At its heart rises Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak and the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Scattered across the park are dozens of ponds like Dwelley — each a peaceful destination for those who value solitude over crowds.

Know Before You Go

• Plan your entry. Baxter has seasonal gate hours and day-use parking reservations in the busy season; check current rules with the park before you go.
• Come self-sufficient. There is no potable water, no cell service, and no store in the backcountry; carry in all you need and carry out all trash.
• Leave pets at home. Baxter State Park does not allow pets on its trails or at its campsites.
• Explore more. Nearby are countless other trails and ponds — see our guides to Baxter State Park’s northern half and the cascades of Howe Brook Falls.

Travelers making the long drive north to the park often pass through central Maine and the Kennebec Valley; our own town of Winslow, with its colonial-era Fort Halifax, makes a fitting stop on the way to the North Woods.

Frequently Asked Questions