Camden Hills State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camden Hills State Park |
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Camden from the summit of Mount Battie
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 Camden Hills State Park
Location in Maine
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| Location | Maine, United States |
| Area | 5,710 acres (23.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 259 ft (79 m) |
| Established | 1947 |
| Operator | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
| Website | Camden Hills State Park |
Camden Hills State Park is a huge park in Maine, United States. It covers about 5,710-acre (2,310 ha) of land. The park looks out over Penobscot Bay in the town of Camden. It's a great place for outdoor fun!
The park has many trails for exploring. You can hike to the top of Mount Battie or Mount Megunticook. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry takes care of the park.
Park History
How did Camden Hills State Park get started? It was built in the 1930s. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped create it. The CCC was a group of young men. They worked on public projects during the Great Depression.
The CCC camp in Camden Hills was active from 1935 to 1941. They built roads, trails, and buildings. They also made other fun places in the park. The land became a state park in 1947.
Later, more improvements were made. The road to the top of Mount Battie was finished in 1965. In 1990, a stone staircase was added. This staircase makes it easier to get to the ocean.
Fun Things to Do
Camden Hills State Park offers many activities. There are lots of trails to explore. You can go hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking. In winter, you can try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Snowmobiling is also popular.
You can drive almost to the top of Mount Battie. There's a parking area near the summit. From there, you get amazing views of the bay. Mount Battie is nearly 800 feet (240 m) high.
Mount Megunticook is the tallest peak in the park. It stands 1,385-foot-high (422 m). The trail to its summit is a bit longer.
There's also the Maiden Cliff Trail. This mile-long trail leads to a special monument. It honors a 12-year-old girl named Elenora French. Her adventure in 1864 gave the spot its name.
Besides trails, you can also go camping here. The park is a great place to spend a night under the stars. Rock climbing is another exciting activity.
