11 Incredible Things to Do in Camden Maine in Winter
Camden is a beautiful coastal town in MidCoast Maine that is the perfect destination year-round! Although it is known as one of the best places to visit in summer and fall, Camden offers fun activities in winter for the entire family.
Whether you want to ski the day away, snowshoe to the tallest mountain in the town, walk through a light show in a botanical garden, or watch a toboggan race, Camden has something to do for everyone in winter! This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Camden Maine in winter, including the best things to do!
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Tips for Visiting Camden Maine in Winter
I have visited Camden in almost every season, and winter is one of my favorite times to visit. Although some shops and restaurants close for the season, winter is so peaceful on the coast in Maine.
You would think that a coastal town does not offer much in the winter, but Camden does not lack winter activities! You can snowshoe, explore lighthouses, ski, and ice skate, just to name a few things you can do. I fell in love with Camden in the winter, so I know you will love it once you visit!
Important things to know
- Buy any tickets in advance. If you plan on skiing, tubing, taking a tour, or anything that includes buying tickets, I recommend getting them in advance. Typically, you can find the best deals online when you purchase the tickets ahead of time instead of buying them when you arrive. Buying them in advance will also ensure your spot for the activity.
- Pack warm clothes. Winters in Camden are cold and snowy, so it is crucial to pack warm clothes. The weather along the coast can also change quickly, so having the appropriate layers and gear is necessary when exploring. I recommend packing warm boots and multiple layers to prepare for the cold weather.
- Plan ahead. Although there are many things to do in Camden in winter, some places close during the off-season. I recommend researching before you visit to ensure you know what is open and closed to plan accordingly!
- Be careful hiking. Winter hiking in Camden brings many risks, so you must take caution with anything you do and ensure you have the proper equipment and skills for your adventure. If there is ever a situation where you are uncomfortable, please make the safe decision to turn around. There are many tours and guides that you can take to adventure in the White Mountains in winter that provide you with the appropriate gear and have trained guides to ensure your safety. You should have warm shoes with good traction, like insulated hiking boots, layers and jackets to stay warm, and a backpack with water, snacks, and layers. Make sure to also pack microspikes, snowshoes, and the Ten Essentials.
- Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Winter Accommodations in Camden
Camden has year-round accommodations for every budget. Whether you want to stay in a cozy cabin or hotel next to a ski resort, Lincoln has accommodations for everyone!
The Best Things to Do in Camden Maine in Winter
Camden Snow Bowl
Camden Snow Bowl is a ski area in Camden and offers things to do year-round! In the winter, you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding on its 15 ski trails on 105 acres while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and ocean. Although it is a small ski area, you will love spending a day hitting the slopes at the Camden Snow Bowl!
Camden Hills State Park
Camden Hills State Park 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 stunning views every season. It has many incredible trails to choose from for all snowshoeing, winter hiking and cross-country skiing.
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 with arguably the most beautiful views overlooking Megunticook Lake.
If weather permits in the winter, the Mount Battie Auto Road will be open for cars to drive the 1.5-mile road to Mount Battie. When the road is not open for cars, you can walk up the road!
Ice Climbing near Camden
A unique thing to do in Camden in winter is ice climbing! The Equinox Guiding Service offers a variety of guided trips for all levels and provides you with the gear and safety tips you need. Their experienced guides are flexible to accommodate your skill levels, allowing you to have fun ice climbing!
Vintage Room
If you are looking for a place to escape the cold when you visit Camden in winter, look no further! The Vintage Room is on the first floor of the 16 Bay View and offers a cozy place to enjoy delicious food and drinks. The best part is its beautiful fireplace in the Vintage Room, where you can snuggle up on a comfy couch to warm up in winter!
Gardens Aglow
One of the best things to do in Camden in winter is to visit the Gardens Aglow at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. In November and December, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens have a beautiful light display along its 14 acres. You can enjoy a walk through the gardens and quickly realize why it is one of the best things to do in Camden Maine in winter!
Christmas By the Sea
In December, Camden puts on a beautiful holiday festival! Christmas By the Sea has fun winter activities for the entire family, including a parade, tree lighting, and carriage rides. The festival also has a craft fair and Christmas market with beautiful gifts you can purchase. If you visit Camden in December, I highly recommend visiting the Christmas By the Sea!
MidCoast Maine Lighthouses
If you love lighthouses, there are a few to explore near Camden in winter! There are a couple of lighthouses that make the perfect winter day trip from Camden. You can enjoy the scenic views of each lighthouse and explore the nearby towns for additional fun winter activities!
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is in the nearby town of Rockland and requires a 2-mile round trip trail along the breakwater to get an up-close and personal view of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The breakwater in the winter can be slick with ice and snow, so please be cautious!
Owl’s Head Lighthouse sits on top of a cliff, offering expansive views of Rockland Harbor. The hike to the lighthouse follows an easy 0.5-mile round trip trail and is perfect for the entire family. Once you arrive at the lighthouse, you can walk to the top of the stairs to get an up-close and personal view of it and enjoy the views of the harbor.
US National Toboggan Championships
I bet you did not know you could watch toboggan races during your trip to Camden in winter! In February, the Camden Snow Bowl hosts the US National Toboggan Championships, and racers from around the world come to compete. The racers travel down the toboggan chute at the Camden Snow Bowl and onto Hosmer Pond. It is a fun event to watch in winter!
Ice Skating
Since there are many ponds and lakes near Camden, there are plenty of places to ice skate in winter! Once the ice is thick enough, you can enjoy ice skating on Lake Megunticook or Hosmer Pond, with beautiful surrounding views. If you are not too keen on ice skating on large bodies of water, do not worry! The MidCoast Recreation Center has an indoor skating rink.
Beech Hill Preserve
Beech Hill Preserve is a stunning 295-acre preserve in the neighboring town of Rockport that has a beautiful and easy trail for winter hiking. 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 surrounding mountains and ocean and will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in winter.
Farnsworth Art Museum
For those who love museums and want to spend time indoors in the winter, I recommend visiting the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockport. The 20,000-square-foot art museum has over 15,000 works of art. The Farnsworth Art Museum is one of the best museums in the area and one of the best things to do in Camden in winter for the entire family!
If you want to visit Camden Maine in winter, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know, including the best things to do in Camden Maine in winter.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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