So with my eyes I traced the line
Of the horizon, thin and fine…
These lines from Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem Renascence, written in l912, could have been inspired by the expansive view she saw of the Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay beyond. Millay lived in Camden during her childhood years before she gained literary prominence and won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1922.
She is honored with a statue in downtown Camden and a memorial at the peak of Mount Battie in the 6,500 acre Camden Hills State Park.
While many writers, artists and crafters have been drawn to Camden’s tree shaded streets, elegant homes, white painted churches and colorful flower gardens, don’t be mislead by its genteel appearance. You’ll find a lively selection of first-rate accommodations, restaurants and shops.
Sports enthusiasts embrace its hills, lakes and harbor for biking, hiking, sailing, kayaking and canoeing. More than a summer vacation place, Camden has become a year round attraction. In winter ponds and lakes freeze over to the delight of ice skaters. With 71 mountain peaks in Camden the hills are alive with cross country and downhill skiers.
During February the Camden Snow Bowl hosts the U.S. National Toboggan Championship. What started as diversion from the stark winter doldrums has emerged as a major New England snow competition. To add to the festive spirit of the games look for the colorful costumes most teams wear.
In summer Camden is a hiker’s and camper’s paradise. Trails take you to the top of 800 foot high Mount Battie and Mt. Megunticook, the highest point in Camden at 1,375 feet. When the weather is clear you can see Monhegan Island and Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island.
Summer also brings out one of Camden’s most famous attractions – Windjammers.
In 1935 artist Frank Swift converted fishing schooners into crafts to take visitors on scenic cruises. Each year the romance and popularity of these sleek vessels has grown. Today Camden has the largest windjammer fleet in the world.
Along with schooner races you can enjoy art shows, lobster festivals and musical and theatrical productions. The Summer Harp Colony of America brings world famous musicians to perform. The Opera House, built in 1894 and once the tallest building in Knox County, provides ideal facilities for local and visiting stage productions.
Camden’s country scenery provided the setting for the 1957 movie production of Peyton Place.
Neighboring Rockport was part of Camden until 1891. You’ll discover Rockport has an unruffled atmosphere, yet filled with excellent summer and year-round attractions, such as golf, sailing, camping and sightseeing. If you love searching for antiques you’ll tarry a while in Rockport.
Take a moment to walk the breakwater that overlooks an expansive view of Penobscot Bay. The much-loved Andre the seal, made famous in books and film, cavorted in the harbor and became the town’s mascot.
During the 19th century the production of lime for the construction industry became a major industry in Rockport. Visit the Rockport Marine Park to see replicas of kilns and a locomotive used to transport lime.
You can get a sense of Rockport’s active artists’ community with a visit to the Maine Coast Artists Gallery. It features contemporary art housed in a remodeled 19th century livery stable. The town’s famous Bay Chamber Concerts perform in both Rockport and Camden. The Maine Photographic Workshops have achieved international acclaim for its classes in photography, film and graphics.
Don’t leave Rockport without a visit to the Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel. A popular sight of weddings, its open-air design set in beautiful landscaped gardens gives a spectacular view of Penobscot Bay and Rockport Harbor.