The Best Things to Do in Camden Maine: 8 Fun Camden Maine Attractions

Camden is a stunning coastal town in Midcoast Maine on Penobscot Bay that should be on every New England bucket list! The beautiful town offers many things to do year-round and is the perfect spot for a getaway in every season.

We have visited Camden in the summer and winter and loved our time in both seasons! You can enjoy shopping in its downtown, sailing on a cruise, hiking in Camden Hills State Park, or relaxing by the ocean.

This guide is here to help you plan the best getaway in Camden, Maine! It has everything you need to know, including when to visit, where to stay, places to eat, and the best things to do in Camden, Maine!

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Best Time to Visit Camden, Maine

Winter

Camden is a perfect place for a winter getaway if you want to ski and snowboard while being by the ocean. Camden is home to the Camden Snow Bowl and has 15 ski trails on 105 acres. If you enjoy winter hiking, Camden offers many trails for snowshoeing.

Although some stores and restaurants shut down in the winter, it is still a great time to visit! We loved visiting in the winter and enjoying a peaceful getaway along the coast.

Spring

Spring in Camden has beautiful weather and wildflowers, and the beginning of spring is a great time to ski without many layers. If you plan on hiking in the spring, I highly recommend reading recent trail reviews and packing layers and extra traction. The snow and ice can linger on the trails through spring, so it is crucial to have the appropriate gear!

Summer

Summer has endless activities and things to do in Camden. All hiking trails are open in the summer, so the hiking opportunities are endless. We hiked our days away when we visited in the summer.

You can also enjoy relaxing on a beach, swimming in the ocean, or touring on a cruise boat. Summer is a popular time to visit Camden, so I recommend arriving at the must-see attractions early to secure a parking spot.

Fall

Fall is one of the most popular seasons to visit Camden because of the beautiful fall foliage it offers. The foliage paints the mountains and valleys in beautiful colors and will leave you speechless. The weather is beautiful with low humidity, making fall one of the best times to hike in Camden!

Because fall is one of the most popular times to visit, many of the best things to do in Camden will have crowds. I highly recommend visiting the must-see attractions early in the day to avoid most crowds.

Best Places to Stay in Camden, Maine

There are many beautiful inns in Camden , so you really can’t go wrong with anywhere you choose to stay!

Best Hotels in Camden, Maine:

Best Campgrounds in Camden Maine:

Best Restaurants in Camden, Maine

Camden has many restaurants with fresh and delicious seafood! And if you do not like seafood, Camden has delicious restaurants for you, too. We have never had a bad meal in Camden, so I know you will not be disappointed with the food options.

18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill
Scott’s Place
Graffam Bros Seafood Market
Fresh and Co
River Ducks Ice Cream

What to Pack for a Trip to Camden, Maine

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

The Best Things to Do in Camden, Maine

Camden Hills State Park

One of the best things to do in Camden, Maine, is Camden Hills State Park. Camden Hills is a 5,710-acre state park that overlooks Penobscot Bay and has some of the most beautiful trails in Camden.

And the best part? It offers year-round fun! You can enjoy the stunning views every season. We have hiked in Camden Hills in summer and winter, and the views did not disappoint!

If you want to hike, Camden Hills State Park is the perfect place. It has many incredible trails to choose from for all levels. Mount Megunticook is the tallest mountain in the park, standing at 1,385 feet tall, and offers stunning views overlooking downtown Camden, the ocean, and the surrounding mountains. The 3.6-mile loop is more strenuous than other trails in the park but is worth it for the stunning views.

If you are looking for shorter hikes, you can hike Mount Battie or Maiden Cliff. Mount Battie is a 1.1-mile roundtrip hike that offers iconic views overlooking Camden. Maiden Cliff is a 1.7-mile roundtrip hike that has arguably the most beautiful views overlooking Megunticook Lake.

If you don’t want to hike but still want to experience the beautiful views, you are in luck! There is a 1.5-mile auto road that brings you to the top of Mount Battie, and you can enjoy the stunning views without hiking!

Barrett’s Cove Public Beach

If you are looking for one of the best places to enjoy a day by the water, Barrett’s Cove Public Beach is perfect! This beautiful beach is on the shores of Megunticook Lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

And the best part? It’s surprisingly not that busy. Even though Camden has high visitation in the summer, Barrett’s Cove Public Beach tends to be quieter. You can enjoy a beautiful day swimming in freshwater without many crowds.

Laite Memorial Beach

If you would rather swim in the ocean, you have plenty of beaches to choose from! One of the best beaches in Camden is Laite Memorial Beach. The beach has a beautiful park just minutes away from downtown Camden and offers stunning views overlooking the bay. The pebble beach is a fantastic swimming area in the summer and is one of the best things to do in Camden, Maine!

Megunticook Falls

Did you know Camden has a waterfall in its downtown? Megunticook Falls is a stunning waterfall along the water and is one of the best things to do. We found the waterfall during our walk around downtown and were in awe of it!

And the best part? It’s easy to access and does not require hiking. You can view Megunticook Falls from the parking lot near Camden Town Landing or Harbor Park. I recommend going to both because each viewpoint offers a different view of the beautiful falls!

Curtis Lighthouse Overlook

Curtis Lighthouse is a beautiful lighthouse that marks the approach for ships to the harbor of Camden. Although the lighthouse is located on Curtis Island, and you cannot access it by car, you can view it from a small overlook area off Bay View Street.

The small parking area is in a neighborhood, so please only park in the appropriate parking area and respect the residents and their homes. If the parking lot is full, come back to visit it later.

curtis lighthouse overlook in camden maine

Camden Harbor Cruises

You cannot visit a coastal town without spending some time out on the sea! Camden Harbor Cruises offers a variety of tours and are some of the best things to do in Camden, Maine. You can learn about lobstering, explore lighthouses, or experience wildlife from their cruises. And the best part? These cruises run year-round, allowing you to enjoy them every season!

Beech Hill Preserve

Beech Hill Preserve is a stunning 295-acre preserve in Rockport's neighboring town with a beautiful and easy trail. Beech Hill is a 1.8-mile roundtrip loop that gradually ascends to the summit over a beautiful path that is less rocky than others in the area.

The top offers stunning 360-degree views of the mountains and ocean and will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in Camden, Maine. We love hiking to Beech Hill when we visit Camden!

Ragged Mountain Preserve

Ragged Mountain Preserve is a stunning preserve and is home to some of the steepest and most strenuous trails near Camden. Ragged Mountain is known for being home to the Camden Snow Bowl ski area and doubles as a fun hike!

The first mile is relatively flat and is a nice warm-up for the final stretch to Ragged Mountain, which is steep and will make you break a sweat. But it is worth it for the stunning views that await you on the summit, overlooking the surrounding area and the ocean.

Camden Snow Bowl

Even though Camden Snow Bowl is a part of the Ragged Mountain Preserve, I want to keep this as a separate thing to do in Camden, Maine, because it offers so much! Camden Snow Bowl is a ski area in Camden and has something to do year-round. If you love skiing and snowboarding, you can enjoy its 15 ski trails on 105 acres.

If you visit Camden in the warmer months, you can go to Camden Snow Bowl to enjoy a scenic chairlift ride or mountain biking. Camden Snow Bowl is one of the best things to do in Camden, Maine, no matter what season you visit!

the best things to do in camden in winter

view of camden snow bowl from mount battie in camden maine

Bald Mountain Preserve

Are you looking for another beautiful preserve to visit and hike? Bald Mountain Preserve is across from the Camden Snow Bowl and is one of the best things to do in Camden, Maine! It is one of our favorite areas to hike near Camden.

The Bald Mountain Trail ascends steeply up exposed granite and has beautiful alpine plants. Because Bald Mountain is one of the tallest mountains in the area, standing at 1,280 feet, the summit views are stunning, overlooking the surrounding mountains, Camden Snow Bowl, the ocean, and Penobscot Bay. Bald Mountain will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in Camden, Maine!

This guide is a great place to start planning a trip to Camden! It has everything you need to plan a getaway, including the best things to do in Camden, Maine.