This Quiet New England City Is An Underrated Gem For Nature Lovers

Situated roughly halfway between Portland and Acadia National Park, Camden, Maine, should be on every outdoor traveler’s itinerary. The town is home to one of the most popular state parks in Maine, Camden Hills State Park, and has a waterfront amphitheater that hosts some of the town’s most significant festivals and events. The potential for water-based activities is endless, including sailing charters, kayak rentals, and trout and bass fishing. Although Camden may not be the most well-known town in New England, its potential for outdoor adventure makes it a must-visit this summer.

Parks

Many of the parks in Camden have both cultural and historical significance. Established in 1931, Camden Harbor Park & Amphitheatre has served as a central gathering place in Camden for nearly a century. The park offers panoramic views of the harbor and hosts festivals, concerts, and film screenings throughout the year. From a seat in Harbor Park, visitors can take in scenes of the New England-style village, complete with white steeples and sailboats drifting across the water. In July and August, travelers can attend movies in the park each Monday. The Camden Shakespeare Festival takes place during these months as well, producing several Shakespearean plays in the amphitheater.

Right off of Samoset Road, about 15 minutes south of downtown Camden, travelers will find Breakwater Marie Reed Park, a small park with a sandy beach that serves as a gateway to the Rockland Breakwater. Built with over 700,000 tons of granite to protect the harbor, it also offers incredible views of the ocean and connects the park to the historic Breakwater Light via a one-mile walking path. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this lighthouse was constructed in 1902 and continues to be operational today.

Beaches

Although the coastline in Camden is mostly rocky, the town is home to a few sandy stretches that are great for sunbathing or swimming. Laite Memorial Beach Park, which overlooks the harbor, is a popular place to relax along the coast. At the park’s base, visitors will reach a pebble beach where they can swim or hunt for seashells. There is also a floating platform about 100 feet from the shore that swimmers can visit. Other amenities in the park include picnic tables, swings, grills, a playground, an outdoor shower, and restrooms.

For a freshwater beach option, consider visiting Barrett’s Cove on Megunticook Lake. This is a great beach to visit during the summer as it often has fewer crowds than some of the more well-known beaches. Sitting along this lakeside beach, travelers can appreciate views of steep cliffs overlooking the waters. The beach also features designated swimming areas for both children and older kids and adults. The children's area has shallower waters, while the area for older kids and adults includes a diving platform, floating several hundred feet from the shore.

Hiking Trails

Some of Maine’s most beloved hiking trails are found in the Camden area. Camden Hills State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Maine, covering 5,700 acres and offering 30 miles of hiking trails. Travelers can hike up Mount Battie, whose summit stands at about 800 feet, enjoying panoramic views from above of Penobscot Bay. The hike to the top takes about two hours, although visitors can also drive to the top for a small fee. There are plenty of bird species to keep your eye out for, including Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Northern Parula, Nashville, Magnolia, Black-and-White, and Chestnut-sided warblers. A variety of woodpeckers, thrushes, and flycatchers are common occurrences as well. During hawk migration, travelers may be able to spot hawks along the summit of Mount Battie.

Just an eight-minute drive from Camden, visitors will reach Bald Mountain Preserve, which spans more than 600 acres and features diverse terrain and geological features. Although the mountain’s elevation is just under 1,300 feet, the views from the top are some of the best in Maine due to the mountain’s treeless top, resulting in panoramic views of the nearby oceans and mountains. Some sections of the mountain include Class two scrambling, making parts of the trail a definite challenge. The forested area of the preserve is home to plenty of wildlife, including black bears, birds, deer, and smaller mammals, making it a wonderful place to watch wildlife.

Water-Based Recreation

Camden and the surrounding Midcoast Maine region are home to more than 50 lakes and ponds, along with Penobscot Bay, offering plenty of water-based activities. Anglers have several locations that are great for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Megunticook Lake, which spans over 1,300 acres and is just west of Camden, is a popular place for trout and bass fishing, with some of the species in the lake including rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and white perch. Rockland Breakwater, meanwhile, is an excellent spot for saltwater fishing, with some of the species in the area including striped bass, bluefish, and mackerel.

Travelers wanting to explore Penobscot Bay have several options. Consider booking a sailing charter on Schooner Lazy Jack, a gaff-rigged schooner modeled after a design from 1935. During a two-hour charter, passengers can assist in raising the sails, take a turn steering the ship, or simply relax and enjoy the bay views. During the charter, passengers may be able to spot wildlife like porpoises, seals, osprey, and bald eagles.

If you prefer to explore the water at your own place, you can easily rent a kayak or canoe with one of the town’s outfitters. In the summer, Maine Sport Outfitters offers a variety of rentals, including sea kayaks, lake kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and canoes. They also rent bikes and camping equipment for those in need of land gear!

Final Thoughts

While there are many towns across the New England coast, Camden’s nearby summits and lakes make it one of the most unique cities to explore. Travelers can spend the weekend in a variety of ways, whether it be climbing a mountain, sailing the Penobscot Bay, or lounging on a lakeside, freshwater beach. It is the kind of place where you can pack hiking boots and a swimsuit—and actually use both.