Ocean Lookout Loop at Camden Hills State Park

A moderate, 3-mile loop featuring grand views, cascading streams and stone stairs.

Just outside of downtown Camden in Midcoast Maine, the hiking at Camden Hills State Park includes a range of options, from easy drives up carriage roads to rocky climbs with clifftop overlooks.

If you look at a map of the state park, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the endless route options in this extensive trail network. To spare you decision fatique, I’m going to share a great hike to start with: Ocean Lookout via Nature Trail. I did this moderate, 3-mile loop with my husband and our dog last week and loved it for the following reasons:

• Easy (ish) hike for our lazy (getting lazier) dog

• Mossy woods, stone stairs, streams and ocean views

• Ability to connect with longer hikes and more views

• Easy parking, minutes from Camden’s scenic waterfront

If you’re looking for an introductory hike to Camden Hills, here it is. For those seeking a full-day adventure, I’ll share two trails that connect to this loop and lead to intriguing monuments: Mount Battie and Maiden Cliff. By adding both of these to your 3-mile loop, you’ll cover a total of 8.6 miles.

To find the trailhead, follow Route 1 about two miles north of downtown Camden. Take a left into Camden Hills State Park, then follow the road to the main gate and ranger's station, ignoring the road to the left leading to a small parking lot. Pay the small entrance fee, then follow Mount Battie Road for 0.7 miles to the trailhead parking on the right. There is an outhouse here if you need it!

We are going to follow the Ocean Lookout via Nature Trail Loop clockwise. Moments after starting your hike, cross a long boardwalk. At your first junction, go left towards Mount Battie, following the Nature Trail. The path becomes increasingly rocky with sections of ledge, but the steepest parts include stone steps that allow for an easier ascent. 

At .84 miles, reach a junction with the Mount Battie Trail. Go right towards Ocean Lookout, following the Tablelands Trail marked by blue blazes. At just under a mile, you’ll reach a junction with Bubba’s Trail. Stay right on the Tablelands Trail here, following it all the way to the Ocean Lookout at 1.6 miles. The views of Penobscot Bay and the town of Camden are spectacular from these ledges.

From the overlook, bear right towards Mount Battie Road on the Mount Megunticook Trail. At two miles, arrive at a crystal clear stream, cascading over the rocks to the left of the trail.

Continue straight, ignoring Adams Lookout Trail on the right, then bear right towards Hiker’s Parking Lot at 2.6 miles. At just under three miles, go left and cross the boardwalk returning you to the trailhead. 

To lengthen this hike and add more views and monuments, here are two options:

1. Mount Battie: Begin on the Nature Trail Loop. At .84 miles, reach a junction with the Mount Battie Trail. Go left here and follow it for one mile to the summit of Mount Battie. Return in the way you came and continue following the loop clockwise. The total length of this hike is five miles.

At the summit of Mount Battie, you’ll find an impressive 26-foot stone tower. Climb the internal staircase of the tower, leading to panoramic views of Camden and Penobscot Bay from its roof.

This was once the location of the Summit House Hotel, built in 1898 by Columbus Bushwell. Summit House was purchased by the Mount Battie Association in 1899 and turned into a clubhouse and social center for wealthy summer residents, including the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt. In 1918 a forest fire destroyed the summit and although the Summit House was undamaged, it was torn down two years later due to a decline in use. In 1921 the stone tower was built in honor of soldiers from Camden who served in WW1, built on the exact location where the Summit House once stood. For the easiest route to the summit, drive up Mount Battie Road and park near the tower.

2. Maiden Cliff: For the longest hike, traverse to the far west of the park to Maiden Cliff, marked by a large white cross on the cliffs overlooking Lake Megunticook. This monument was erected in honor of Elenora French who fell from this cliff in 1864. The cross has been replaced several times, but continues to be cared for by the community to honor the young girl’s death.

Begin on the Nature Trail Loop. After reaching the Ocean Lookout at 1.6 miles, follow the Ridge Trail northwest to the summit of Mount Megunticook, marked by a large stone cairn. Although this summit does not offer views, the scenic path leading to it is filled with an abundance of lime green moss.

Continue along the Ridge Trail for another 2 miles to the 0.5-mile Scenic Trail leading down to Maiden Cliff. Return via the Ridge Trail or take the Jack Williams Trail, which runs parallel to it. Maiden Cliff can also be done as a separate, shorter hike from the tralhead off of ME Route 52.

Here is a map of the trail network to help with orientation: Camden Hills Guide

Enjoy this gorgeous state park!