Camden is home to a variety of activities. The harbor business district highlights traditional New England flavors while downtown offers a unique shopping outlet. Visitors can also hike Mount Battie. This historic site is also a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts. A boat tour on Megunticook Lake is also a popular attraction.
Fort Knox State Historic Site
Fort Knox is an amazing place to visit with family and friends. This former fort is now a state park and historic site and is located in Prospect, Maine. It is about 5 miles from the Penobscot River. Visitors can learn about the fort’s history and enjoy hiking and fishing on the grounds.
Fort Knox was built by Major General Henry Knox in the early 1800s. The granite for the fort was quarried locally and floated down river. It was designed to house one hundred and thirty-five cannons, but only 74 were ever brought to the fort. Construction took 25 years and cost almost a million dollars. The fort was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1970. Its original layout included two batteries facing the river. One of these batteries had a hot shot furnace to heat up cannon shots. These shots were designed to set opposing ships on fire, although they were not effective against ironclad ships.
While at Fort Knox, visit the observation tower, which stands 42 stories high over the river. It is taller than the Statue of Liberty. The tower, which was completed in 2003, includes an observation deck and a picnic area. You can also explore the grounds and see an extra cross-section of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. To find out more about the fort, check out the brochure below!
Fort Knox State Historic Site is one of Maine’s largest and most visited historical sites. It is the most complete fort on the New England seacoast. The site also features unique architecture and a rich history. A visit to Fort Knox will give you a deeper understanding of the military construction in New England. Fort Knox is one of the most popular destinations for outdoor activities, including hiking and picnicking. Afterward, take some time to see the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, which offers one of the most spectacular views of the Midcoast Maine region.
Fort Knox State Historic Site is a fantastic place to visit with your family or friends. This fortification was built to defend the Penobscot River valley during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. During the Civil War, the fort was garrisoned with the first troops. However, the fort never saw any combat. Today, visitors can walk through the fortification, climb spiral staircases and wander the grassy ramparts. You can also view the original weapons and artifacts on display.
Hiking Mount Battie
Hiking Mount Battie in Camden is a great way to experience the beauty of Maine’s landscape. It’s a short hike to the top and the views from the top are stunning. It is also a great place to get exercise while getting some fresh air. The trailhead is located near the end of Megunticook Street in Camden.
The Mount Battie hike offers spectacular views of the Camden harbor and Penobscot Bay. It also provides an amazing glimpse of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. The mountain was first built in 1921 as a memorial for World War I veterans who served in the area. Today, the trail is maintained by Camden Hills State Park. It’s one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the state and is well-suited for beginners.
Hiking Mount Battie is an iconic hike in Camden. It is only 1.1 miles round trip, and the trail goes up and down steadily. Along the way, you’ll find interpretive signs about the area’s history. There are many places to take breaks or find shelter. The summit of Mount Battie is 807 feet above sea level, and it’s an ideal place to watch the wildflowers bloom in late spring and early summer.
To begin hiking Mount Battie, start by parking in the Camden Hills State Park parking lot. There are two trails in the park: the Mount Battie trail and the Mount Megunticook trail. Both of these trails start at the parking lot and wind their way through a forest. Another out-and-back trail is the Ridge Trail to Maiden Cliffs Trail. It’s about a mile long and takes you through the forest.
The Mount Battie trail is a moderate half-mile hike that includes scrambling and views of the surrounding area. This trail offers panoramic views of the area, including Acadia National Park and Monhegan Island. The trail also provides an excellent opportunity for a day’s exploration.
Another hiking option near Camden is the Maiden Cliff trail. This trail is just over one mile long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete. It climbs steadily, without many flat sections.
Taking a boat tour on Megunticook Lake
If you love taking boat tours, you can find one in Camden, Maine. The town is located on Penobscot Bay, considered one of the world’s best cruising waters. You can take a two-day sailing trip in Camden, and you can even take a schooner tour on a ship launched five years before Custer’s Last Stand. The town also features a manmade breakwater built to protect the harbor.
Taking a boat tour on Megunicook Lake is an excellent way to experience the beauty of this lake, and you can even find one that is affordable. The tour takes you around the western part of the lake, which gives you plenty of time to swim and relax. Ducktrap kayaks are available for rent at a number of locations in the town. You can also attend a music concert at the Strand every Thursday at 7pm.
If you want to see the area on foot, you should visit the Camden Hills State Park. You can enjoy hiking and biking trails throughout the year. Camping is available in a rustic shelter during the winter months. You can also hike up Mt. Battie, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding area and Penobscot Bay. The town is also famous for the fall foliage.
Another great activity to do in Camden is taking a boat tour on Megunticoook Lake. This lake is surrounded by quaint little towns. Barrett’s Cove Beach, on the east side of the lake, is a great place to take the kids for a swim. Despite its location, the lake is rarely crowded, so you’re likely to find plenty of spots to sunbathe and swim.
If you’re not into boating, you can also take a drive to Mount Battie. This scenic lookout overlooks the town of Camden, Maine and its famous harbor. Take a break and enjoy the beautiful views of Penobscot Bay while you’re here. And while you’re there, be sure to bring your camera and phone!
There are several historical boats on the lake that you can board for a sail. The Schooner Olad, a 1927 sailing vessel, is a classic, historic vessel that offers two-hour tours daily throughout the summer. Passengers can learn about basic sailing techniques, such as how to raise a sail, knot tying, and course reading. There’s also a “build your own boat” contest where kids can make a boat using materials donated by local businesses.
Visiting the National Oz Museum
The National Oz Museum is a must-visit for fans of the “Wizard of Oz.” The Maine museum houses the world’s largest collection of memorabilia from the classic story. The original movie cost nearly $3 million to make and took 20 years to recoup that cost. In fact, it cost nearly three times as much as the average MGM movie.
The museum holds thousands of items, tracing the history of the story of Oz through books, toys, dolls, games, stage shows, cartoons, and movies. It also has life-sized replicas of characters from the movie. You can also watch documentaries about the story.
The museum’s tour guide is Marc Baum. He was previously a volunteer at the Gage House and is full of enthusiasm about the story. Marc loves everything Oz-related. He told me that he once met someone doing genealogy research on L. Frank Baum and found out that Marc was her 7th cousin, twice removed.
The museum also features items from the movie that are not on display at other museums. These include one of Dorothy’s dresses and the only surviving munchkin costume. The museum also displays a wide selection of movie posters and other collateral associated with the Oz movie. Whether you’re a fan of the movie or just a fan of the book, you’ll enjoy a visit to the National Oz Museum in Camden, Maine.
The Farnsworth Art Museum in Camden is an ideal place to view a large collection of Oz-related artifacts. On Saturday, October 14, the museum opened an exhibition of the Wizard of Oz collection, featuring more than 100 pieces of art. The exhibition runs through the spring of 2014.
Camden has many attractions that are fun for the whole family. While you’re in Camden, you can visit the historic waterfront, enjoy the Camden Hills State Park, or go hiking. There are trails for every fitness level, including easy-to-follow, moderate-inclines trails. There’s also a large picnic area and over 100 campgrounds.
In addition to the National Oz Museum, the town is home to Isle au Haut Light, a community-owned ski resort on the Atlantic Ocean. The area also hosts the North American Toboggan Championships each February. There are also several museums and historic buildings in the area.