There are five seasons in Maine; Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Mud. Mud season begins as all of the winter snow melts and early spring rain falls. One might think that mud season would be an awful time to visit Maine, or that there is nothing to do in Maine during mud season. However, it all depends on your interests and perspective. Keep reading to discover 7 fun things to do during mud season in Maine, in no particular order.
Go Hiking
Although trails might be somewhat sloppy, hiking in Midcoast Maine is always great! There is a saying in Maine, that there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. So, be sure to bring boots and pants that you don’t mind getting dirty. Check out our Top 5 Hiking Trails near Camden.
Go Birding
One of our favorite hikes, Beech Hill Preserves, is on the Maine Birding Trail. April begins Maine’s busiest birding season. With leafless trees, it is easier to see the birds that you hear.
Go for a Drive
Leafless trees give way to some beautiful glimpses of the coast that one would never catch in the summer time! There is also much less traffic! You can drive to any one of the local lighthouses featured in our Welcome Guide. We are also happy to provide a printed guide with additional lighthouses.
Take in the Local History
If you want to be outside but prefer to avoid the mud, consider a walking tour to take in the local history.
In 1791, Camden incorporated as part of Massachusetts. There are buildings in the local community that date back to the early 1800’s. Lonely Planet references a walking tour guide of the downtown Camden historic buildings. If you are staying at the Hawthorn Inn, we provide each guest with a copy of this historic map. Otherwise, it can be obtained from the local Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce.
The first stop on the walking tour is the Megunticook River Waterfall into Camden Harbor. In the spring, the waterfall runs fast and furious. 
The height of the waterfall prevents saltwater from flowing upstream. In fact, Megunticook River is the only Maine river containing fresh water all the way to the sea. During April, fishermen place fine mesh fyke nets (a funnel shaped net) at the mouth of the river to catch glass eels/elvers on their ascent to fresh water. Elvers are a delicacy in Japan fetching up to $2,000 per pound in 2015. The pandemic has since wreaked havoc on this industry, but it is interesting to watch the fishermen pull out the nets and they will often share “fish” stories.
Fyke nets along the far wall just below the benches.
There are several towns within a 1-hour drive of Camden that have Museums in the Streets: Belfast, Wiscasset, and Boothbay Harbor. Each of the towns has signs like the one below placed through out town identifying and describing the history of the building. This makes learning history while remaining outside and socially distant super easy.
Shopping
Camden is a year-round community, which means you can practice a little retail therapy in our shops and galleries or discover a tasty treat. There are no long lines or fighting for parking spaces in April.
In addition, there are a number of antique stores in the Camden, Rockland, and Rockport area.
Visit a Museum
Perhaps you want to totally avoid being outside in any inclement weather in April. If so, then visit one of our word class museums. The Farnsworth Museum and the Owls Head Transportation museum have both been open throughout the pandemic. Be sure to check for current hours and restrictions as things change. Reservations for a specific time are required for both museums at the time of this writing.
The Farnsworth Museum is dedicated to celebrating Maine’s role in American Art. There is a large collection of the Wyeth’s family (N.C., Andrew and Jamie) works.
Read what you need to know about Owls Head Transportation Museum.
Just Relax
Finally, the best thing to do in Camden in April is relax and unwind at the Hawthorn Inn. Pick your favorite room, perhaps one with a jetted whirlpool tub and fireplace. Check out our low rates for weekday promotions. We look forward to seeing you soon!
