Things to do nearCamden Harbor

Camden Harbor has been a hub of maritime activity since the eighteenth century, when the town grew prosperous on shipbuilding and the lime trade. The harbor itself sits at the mouth of the Megunticook River, one of the only places in the eastern United States where a river tumbles directly into a saltwater harbor, giving the setting a distinctive character that artists and photographers have long sought out.

Today the harbor is best known as the home port of Maine's celebrated windjammer fleet. These restored wooden schooners, some more than a century old, offer multi-day sailing voyages across Penobscot Bay, calling at island anchorages and quiet coves that can only be reached by water. Day sails and boat tours are also available for those with less time.

The waterfront park at the head of the harbor is a natural gathering place, framed by a stone amphitheater and shaded benches where you can watch the comings and goings of the fleet. Kayaking along the harbor's edges offers a closer look at the moored vessels and the rocky shoreline.

Camden Harbor rewards a slow visit, and its rare combination of mountain backdrop, historic vessels, and genuine working waterfront makes it one of coastal Maine's most compelling destinations.