Camden Hills State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Take a trip North to Camden Hills State Park in Camden, Maine. Camden Hills State Park has scenic views from atop Mt. Battie where you can see surrounding islands, Penobscot Bay, and on a clear day, all the way to Cadillac Mountain. The park is just over 80 miles from Portland and is ideal for a weekend trip away.
Park your RV and hike along one of 20 different trails in the state park. With over 5,700 acres of wooded hills, there's plenty to explore. Stay for the day or weeks on end to be sure to take in all that Camden Hills State Park has to offer. If you don't want to hike or are unable to, you can enjoy the Mt. Battie Auto Road to tour the scenic views. This is the perfect option to view the fall foliage at its fullest. Camden, ME is within walking distance of the harbor where you can venture off on a whale or puffin cruise. There is plenty of shopping, local museums including a children's museum in nearby Rockland.
Pack up your family or bring a group, this year-round park is the ideal option for your next RV getaway. Camden Hills State Park offers a vast array of outdoor activities for both summer and winter, including bird watching, cross-country skiing, off-road biking, and fishing. No matter what the season, you are sure to enjoy a visit to Hill State Park, which is open year-round.
RV Rentals in Camden Hills State Park
Transportation
Driving
The park is situated just off the US-1, and RVers traveling along the US-1 to the park can enjoy an obstacle-free drive without any height restrictions. The town of Camden is just 1.8 miles from the park, and if you need anything, like supplies or a meal, you'll be able to find it there.
While driving in the park with your RV, some areas may have limited RV access outside of the campground. Additional transportation is recommended to get around to the various trails. Feel free to park your RV at your campsite for extended stays and use an alternate mode of transportation around the park, like a bike or on foot. Road closures may occur with inclement weather from November through May. It is recommended to check the conditions daily for possible closures. Keep in mind that this park is at a higher elevation and some roads may be more narrow than others. So make sure to keep in the appropriate speed limit and be careful.
Parking
Parking is available in seven areas in the park and at the main entrance. Access may be limited with your RV so you'll want to plan to have an alternate vehicle if possible.
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Camden Hills State Park
Campsites in Camden Hills State Park
Reservations camping
Skowhegan / Kennebec Valley KOA
In Maine’s beautiful Kennebec Valley and easily accessible from the Maine Turnpike, Skowhegan/Kennebec Valley KOA offers the region’s gorgeous mountains, lakes, and endless beautiful drives. Local attractions include touring the National Scenic Byway to Canada, swimming, boating, antiquing, golfing, hiking and fine dining. Only five minutes from Lake George Regional Park and beaches, and an hour to Moxie Falls, the campground is perfectly situated to enjoy everything this area has to offer. At the campground, get a snack at the cafe, take a dip in the swimming pool or hot tub or play a game in the arcade. Kids are sure to enjoy the hay and fire truck rides, and the whole family can take a stroll on one of the many nature trails. Bring your pooch to play in the Kamp K-9 off-leash park! Wi-Fi and cable TV are free throughout the campground.
Camden Hills State Park Campground
Camden Hills State Park has over 107 campsites which are suitable for RVers, tent, and trailer campers, and 44 of the sites offer electric and water hookups. Sites that do not have water hookups can make use of the communal water spigots located throughout the campground. A playground is also situated in the campground for children to enjoy during your stay. If you are in need of a dump station during your visit, you will find one in the campground for you to use.
There are two main bathhouses in the campground area with flushing toilets and hot showers if needed. Firewood can also be purchased at the campgrounds, and nearly all the sites have access to Wi-Fi if you need to use the internet during your stay. There are no minimum stay requirements, but reservations are necessary.
While the park is open all year round, the camping season is from April until early December. Check on park conditions before your trip to ensure that there are no road closures due to inclement weather conditions. Some off-season camping may be available with advance reservations.
First-come first-served
Camden Hills State Park Campground
Camden Hills State Park campground has 21 dedicated campsites that do not require an advanced reservation, and some RV sites offer electric and water hookups. Camden Hill State Park is a pet-friendly park, and you are more than welcome to bring along your pets on your RV road trip; just make sure to keep them on a leash at all times.
There are two main bathhouses in the campground area for hot showers if needed. Sites are available from April to early December during the camping season. Check on park conditions before your trip to ensure that there are no road closures due to inclement conditions.
Seasonal activities in Camden Hills State Park
Off-Season
Camden Museums
Should you visit in the winter, be sure to check out Camden area museums. Though open year-round, this is a great option for those bitter cold days with nothing else to do. The Coastal Children's Museum is approximately ten miles from Camden, ideally for those with children between the ages of two and nine
If you're interested in antiques, stop by the Fawcett's Antique Toy and Art Museum, which is approximately 15 miles from Camden Hills State Park. There is a botanical garden and a railway village within 40 miles of the park. There's surely enough to keep everyone entertained.
All Things Snow
If you're into snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, you'll enjoy visiting the park during the winter. Some of the trails are designed specifically for year-round use. With over 200 inches of snowfall in Maine each year, you'll be in a winter wonderland.
Camden Hills State Park offers breathtaking views throughout the park that you won't want to miss. Maine is known for an all-season nature enthusiast getaway. You'll want to check trail conditions ahead of time as some trails may be closed due to inclement conditions.
Bird-Watching
The state of Maine has numerous lakes, more than 3,500 miles of coastline, and is heavily forested. This perfect mix of habitats makes Maine one of the top birding spots to visit in the country. Camden Hills State Park is home to many rare and unique birds that you may not find in other areas. You can print a birding checklist for you to track your findings. The time of year you visit will determine the types of birds you might see.
During your visit, you may see snowy owls, bald eagles, a variety of duck species, green warblers, peregrine falcons, ospreys and many more. You can keep a log if you visit for more than one day as you may see a different variety the longer you stay.
In-Season
Fishing
For the fishermen (and women) in the family, check out Penobscot Bay within minutes from Camden Hills State Park. There you'll find Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Lake Trout, and Salmon. You can purchase or download a fishing guide for more information on equipment, licensing and the best fishing holes in the area.
The park offers a unique fishing environment as you can choose from freshwater or saltwater depending on what you're wanting to catch. If you do not have a boat, you can also hire a charter to take you on a guided tour. With over 50 lakes and ponds, the fishing options are virtually endless during your visit.
Horseback Riding
Your equine friend is welcome to join in on the adventure on the designated horse trails. There are two multi-use trails in the park, which vary in difficulty. The multi-use trail is the longest trail in the park and is roughly five miles long. The other horseback riding trail is Mount Battie Trail, which is a moderate 0.5 miles long.
You can experience the wooded terrain like explorers of the past may have. The multi-use trail is the longest in the park and located in the northern region of the park with several trails leading into it. The trails are well-groomed and labeled and are easy to maneuver.
Hiking and Biking
Make sure to pack your boots in your motorhome to explore the 20 trails within Camden Hills State Park. The hike will be well worth the breathtaking views you will get to enjoy. Whether you're new to hiking or an expert, with over 30 miles of scenic trails available, you're sure to find a trail to your liking.
Some of these trails are quite steep, so make sure to find out about the hike from the trailhead before setting off. There are five trailheads along the way with varying difficulty levels. Make sure to work up some stamina before you attempt one of the tougher trails. Most of the trails are suitable for biking and hiking, so avid bikers can bring along their bikes on their visit to the park.
If it has rained recently, some of the trails may be muddy and potentially dangerous. It is recommended to check trail conditions before venturing out. July tends to be the driest month to visit.
