Sandy Stream Pond Trail

Gentle walk to the southeast shore of Sandy Stream Pond with excellent views of Katahdin and frequent moose sightings.
Trail Activity
Walking Hiking
Length
1.50 miles, Round Trip
Difficulty
Easy, Moderate
Town
Mount Katahdin Twp
Surface
Dirt/Forest Floor
Pets
Not Permitted
Fees
Yes

Description

The trail to Sandy Stream Pond provides an interesting half-day hike of 1.5 miles there and back again. The pond is known for its frequent moose sightings and its proximity to Roaring Brook Campground makes it a popular late afternoon or early evening walk. There are excellent views of the east side of Katahdin. No climb is involved. The trail is blue-blazed and has extensive bog bridging in wet areas near the pond.  

From Roaring Brook Campground, the route follows the Russell Pond Trail for less than 0.1 miles, crossing Roaring Brook on a bridge. After the bridge, the Roaring Brook Nature trail departs to the right and the Russell Pond trail bears away to the left. The Sandy Stream Pond trail continues ahead following a well worn path for 0.3 miles until it turns right and crosses the first outlet of Sandy Stream Pond on a narrow bridge. From here, the trail parallels the southeast shore of the pond with several side spurs leading to viewpoints on the shore. The best of these is at 0.6 miles, where a side trail leads down to "Big Rock." The second outlet of the pond is crossed a short distance beyond. A fork in the trail is reached at 0.7 miles at which point hikers seeking a longer trip may continue right to South Turner Mountain or left to reconnect with Russell Pond Trail.

Other Information

Park Fees: See website for entrance and camping fees. [No entrance fee for Maine residents.]

Park Rules: See a more complete list here.

  • All persons entering the Park by road or trail must register their entrance at a gatehouse or self-registration station
  • The maximum size of hiking groups is 12 persons
  • All groups of five or more persons under 16 years of age must be accompanied by at least one adult, responsible for the supervision of a maximum of five youths
  • For all trash: Carry-in; carry-out
  • Where toilets are not available, human waste must be buried at least 200' from water and trails or carried out
  • Pets or other domestic animals are not allowed in the Park, except for service dogs
  • Camping is permitted by reservation only
  • Fires or other cooking or heating devices are permitted only in designated campsites or picnic areas
  • Hunting and trapping are prohibited within the Park (with some exceptions)
  • Maine fishing laws apply within the Park
  • No person may feed, bait, or disturb any animal within the Park
  • Power equipment is prohibited (including generators)
  • All vehicles must display an entrance permit while in the Park

Trail Manager

This trail is within Baxter State Park. For more information and detailed trail maps, please visit Baxter State Park Authority's website.

Baxter State Park Authority

Baxter State Park Authority
64 Balsam Drive
Millinocket, ME 04462
Phone: (207) 723-5140
View website

Nearby Events

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Trail Tips

Minimize Campfire Impacts
Consider using a cooking stove and alternative light source (flashlight, candle, lantern) instead of building a campfire.
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Trailhead Information

The Sandy Stream Pond trailhead is located in Roaring Brook Campground which is best accessed from the Togue Pond Gatehouse (South Gate) of Baxter State Park. 

From downtown Millinocket: Travel 16 miles northwest on the paved Baxter Park Road to the Togue Pond Gatehouse, passing buildings and the Golden Road Crossing after eight miles. After entering the park at Togue Pond Gate, bear right and continue onto the Roaring Brook Road for 7.9 miles. Roaring Brook Road ends at Roaring Brook Campground. Park in the day-use lots straight ahead. The trailhead is located at the north end of this parking area just before the Roaring Brook Ranger Station.

Click on a parking icon to get custom directions
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directoroffantasies
June 27, 2019
This trail starts at a very busy campground so expect the parking lot to be busy & sometimes full. There are spare log cabins that can be reserved in advance (must bring own bedding). Did this hike in late afternoon. We had to walk back to the parking lot as the sun was setting. Wish we could have stayed longer. You cross the stream & walk thru beautiful forest. Some sections have board walk. The pond is beautiful & there were lots of photographers there awaiting moose. However, a screaming 5-year old wandering around without parental supervision made it so there probably wasn't a moose within miles of this place. Best time to see moose - sunrise & sunset when they feed (and when there are no children around!).
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