Maine’s Rock Climbing Festival: A Recap of Camden Climbing Festival 2026

The Camden Climbing Festival hosted by Northern Vertical Climbing Guides celebrated it’s annual return to the Camden Hills State Park over Memorial Day weekend.

NVCG founder Ryan Howes and his team of Camden climbing ambassadors launched their fourth annual event by collaborating with the State Park to mitigate existing trail erosion. With Eriks Brooks, Trail Crew Supervisor, at the helm, several festival attendees and ambassadors closed an old trail while creating a new one to a popular cliff called the Ramparts. This new path reduces erosion, while bringing climbers on a beautiful walk.

“Stewardship is one of three pillars of the festival and the heart of our ethos, alongside Education and Community” says Howes. Climbers regularly travel on two mediums: trails and rocks. Howes followed up with, “There’s an educational aspect to learning how to climb and there’s an opportunity to instill a sense of place and duty of care for the wild places we inhabit. Many climbers need permission to steward the lands we recreate on. At the Camden Climbing Festival, we say it’s okay to take care of your climbing areas, and here is how it’s done effectively”.

CCF trail crew

The fourth annual Camden Climbing Festival in the Camden Hills State Park is not just a festival, it’s a growing community of local and regional climbers, seeking new learning opportunities and connection. Think of the festival like a retreat, a staycation of sorts. Climbers come every year, far and wide, to enjoy the idyllic Camden Hills—”where mountains meet the sea”. Attendees pay a sliding scale fee for the weekend experience. The “donation” covers group camping, instructional climbing clinics at all levels, inspirational climbing films, guest presentations of Maine climbing legends, a constant roaring fire, and food—amazing food all weekend long.

Local businesses support the festival via coffee, food, and climbing equipment. Stickers and tees are given away to each attendee, while raffle tickets at low cost reap high rewards in the form of future climbing adventures with Ryan and NVCG.

Kick off dinner

If stewardship, education and community are elements you are seeking in life than look no further than the Camden Climbing Festival. Here are some photos demonstrating various educational components on and off the rock.

Climbers often ask why host a climbing festival in the Spring when it rains? The answer is simple—the festival kicks off the climbing season. It’s a community builder and skill builder that sets the stage for more. Speaking of more, Northern Vertical Climbing guides offers multiple events to foster growth in the sport of rock climbing Spring through Fall. With Ryan at the helm and his team of ambassadors, attendees become leaders and teachers of the sport.

Evening video series under the Picnic Shelter—the climbing festival’s hub within the Camden Hills State Park.

We look forward to our 5th annual festival, May 2027 and hope you will join our growing community! Until then, check our climbing offerings and let us know how we can support your goals this climbing season.