Climbing on Mountains by Sea…
Rock climbing in Maine has a special east coast uniqueness - it’s mountains formed where ocean waves continue to crash. Mount Desert Island, well known for Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor; Camden, or Camden Hills, known as being one of the top ten places to live in the country. These east coast gems are recreation paradise and the way life should be for locals, while tourism thrives Spring through Fall.
Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor is an A+ destination unto itself boasting one million annual visitors. The rock climbing in Acadia National Park contains some of the highest quality granite cracks in Maine, and combine this with the aesthetic oceanside climbing, you cannot beat this summertime in Maine experience. Imagine a cool sea breeze filling your nose with all of the ocean smells, seagulls culling, lobster boats puttering, waves crashing, sunshine strong, and you (rock climber) right smack dab in the middle of this symphony.
Arriving at Maine’s famous sea cliff Otter Cliff in Acadia National Park.
Climbing the Great Chimney in Acadia National Park.
Climber Climbers are well aware of how busy Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park can be during the busy tourism season, so we at Northern Vertical Climbing Guides recommend climbing here in May / June or the fall months: Sendtember and Rocktober!
Northern Vertical Climbing Guides absolutely love making the 90 minute drive to Acadia, but we have made our home base in the coastal and lakeside haven Camden Hills for several reasons:
Year round rock and ice climbing
Fewer people crowding parking lots and cliffs
Feel good year round living and lifestyle
Thriving community of climbers
Cooler climate with few bugs
Aprés activities like swimming, boating, sailing, great food and bars
Maine’s climbing festival location, the: Camden Climbing Festival
Rock climbing in Camden Hills is the perfect recipe for community, adventure and education. It’s a place for beginners looking to experience rock climbing for the first time with exceptional instruction. It’s also a place for advancing through the climbing apprenticeship. Our guests learn the sport, teach others, and in many cases become professional climbing instructors. Climbing in Camden is like discovering a new welcoming community. By participating, you will find a home away from home to return to year after year, or like most, multiple times a season.
Join our weekly Wednesday night community based climbing experience: Tour de Camden and monthly Women’s Climbing. Join our complete instructional series for learning the basics of rock climbing and beyond. And join our festivals in May and October to kick off and complete the climbing season.
CAN’T WAIT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR PASSION FILLED SPORT OF ROCK CLIMBING - IN MAINE!
Ryan Howes, owner of Northern Vertical Climbing Guides overlooks Lake Megunticook after climbing on Maiden’s Cliff in Camden Hills.