Camden Hills State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Tucked along the gorgeous stretch of shoreline that makes up mid-coast Maine, Camden Hills State Park is a camper's paradise. It's located just a couple of hours north of Portland and contains enough splendid rustic scenery to keep a family occupied for a week or more. As the name suggests, this area offers several hiking trails over hilly terrain. When you reach the summit of Mount Megunticook, you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of Penobscot Bay, Megunticook Lake, and the nearby towns of Camden and Rockland. Mount Battie, with its iconic tower and ocean views, is another must-climb.
Nearby cities:
Camden, ME
Rockland, ME
Belfast, ME
Portland, ME
Spring 23-63 F
Summer 54-77 F
Fall 32-69 F
Winter 12-37 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Camden Hills State Park
Campground Accommodations
Camden Hills State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40
Other amenities: Showers, picnic area, group picnic shelter
Megunticook Campgrounds
Megunticook Campgrounds on the rugged Maine Coast has beautiful views of Penobscot Bay, and you can see playful porpoises frolick at Porpoise Point.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: pool, playground, volleyball court, lobster bake
Northport Campground
Camping at Northport Campground in Midcoast Maine is just a few miles from fresh and salt water beaches, shops, and restaurants.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wi-Fi: yes
Pet friendly: yes
Other amenities: gift shop/grocery store, showers, hiking trails, laundry, frog pond
What to Do at
Camden Hills State Park
At Camden Hills State Park, you can enjoy wooded hiking trails with glorious views, boating and other water sports, and the briny scent of the sea. The trails here are rated in difficulty from easy to moderate, making the park an excellent choice for families with younger children. While Megunticook Lake isn't officially inside the park, you can launch your canoe or kayak just a short distance from the Maiden Cliff trailhead. The campsites themselves are located barely more than a stone's throw from the shores of Penobscot Bay.
Inside Camden Hills State Park
There are lots of things to do inside the park. Definitely see the view from Mt. Battie, and take a scenic drive. Here are a few other activities to investigate:
Hiking: There are over 30 miles of trails in the park. The trailheads are a little hard to see and you’ll definitely want a map to be sure you know where you’re going. The Maiden’s Cliff trail takes hikers to beautiful views of Megunticook Lake and the surrounding forest.
Birding: There are many birds that flock to Camden Hills that aren’t seen in other areas of Maine. Bring binoculars and keep an eye out for them.
Mountain biking: There are also plenty of trails for mountain and off-road biking. Pick up a map and decide whether to go!
Nature Watching
Keep an eye out for whitetail deer, bald eagles, northern cardinals, eastern bluebirds, and wild turkeys.
Stargazing
This activity is especially appealing if you visit during the winter as long as you bundle up!
Flora and Fauna
The pine trees take center stage here, but in summer, there's plenty of other foliage for the creatures to use as camouflage.
Hiking
Camden Hills State Park contains numerous trails, with most falling within the one- to two-mile range. Maiden Cliff Trail, with its eagle-eye view of Megunticook Lake, is popular among tourists and locals alike. For a longer hike, consider starting at the Maiden Cliff trailhead and trekking the Ridge Trail to the summit of Mount Megunticook. You can reach the summit from the Mount Battie side, but this option will reward you with a more strenuous workout and a multitude of impressive views.
Climbing
Barrett's Cove Cliff is a climber's dream, with a broad expanse and the shimmering blue gem of Megunticook Lake below. Even if you aren't a climber yourself, go for a drive along Route 52 to the lake and see if you can spot any thrill-seekers on the cliff face.
Biking
Take a peaceful pedal amidst the blueberry fields on Cameron Mountain, or up the ante with the more challenging Frohock Mountain Trail. Be aware that the initial segments of these rides consist of a fairly steep uphill slope, so if you're a beginner cyclist, you might have to walk with your bike for part of the way.
How to Get to
Camden Hills State Park
Shortly after you pass through the picturesque hamlet that is Camden, signs for Camden Hills State Park will appear. The rules for parking may vary depending on which side of the park you're planning to enter. You can ask the attendant for directions.
Entering Camden Hills State Park
The entry fee for people who are not Maine residents is $6 per adult and $1 for children aged five to 11. Children younger than five are admitted at no charge. If you'd like to spend the night, RV sites with water and electric hookups rent for $45 per night for non-residents or $35 if you have a Maine ID.
In addition to hiking, picnicking, and exploring, you can enjoy numerous other activities in Camden Hills State Park. For example, the park is stunning in winter as well—and as a bonus, it's also far less crowded. Strap on a set of snowshoes or cross-country skis and explore the frost-covered woods and mountains. There are plenty of other activities you might consider when visiting Camden Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions About Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills State Park is especially lovely in the fall. The vibrant hues of the changing leaves transform the landscape into something truly spectacular. Of course, mid-coast Maine has a special charm during the summer months too, and many people enjoy snowshoeing in the winter.
On days when the trails are quiet, keep an eye out for deer. If you're lucky, you might even spot the elusive moose, which is rarer in this region than in the north. Bird-watching is also a popular pastime here. Look for chickadees, northern cardinals, eastern bluebirds, bald eagles, and osprey.
Yes. Note that a handful of the sites are located in an open field at the front of the campground. If you're looking for more privacy, see if any of the wooded sites are available.
Reservations are recommended for this campground although some of the sites are first-come, first-served. Note that the camping season here runs from mid-May to mid-October, and it's a good idea to check the exact dates on the website before you plan your trip. Winter camping is available in the park, but not RV camping. The only lodging that's offered during these months consists of a series of rustic shelters.
Yes, pets are allowed in the park. You'll need to keep them leashed and under control at all times, even at your campsite. Also, be sure to clean up after your pet.