Camden is 230 miles NE of Boston, 8 miles N of Rockland, and 18 miles S of Belfast.
Traveling east along the Maine coast, those who pay attention to such things will notice they're suddenly heading almost due north around Rockland. The culprit behind this geographic quirk is Penobscot Bay, a sizable bite out of the Maine coast that forces a lengthy northerly detour to cross the head of the bay where the Penobscot River flows in at Bucksport.
You'll find some of Maine's most distinctive coastal scenery in this region, which is dotted with broad offshore islands and high hills rising above the mainland shores. Though the mouth of Penobscot Bay is occupied by two large islands, its waters can still churn with vigor when the tides and winds conspire.
The Penobscot Bay's western shore gets a heavy stream of tourist traffic, especially on Route 1 through Camden. It's still a good drive to get a taste of the Maine coast. Services for travelers are abundant, though during peak season, you need a small miracle to find a weekend guest room without a reservation.
