Pick Your Own Farms In MidCoast Maine

Fun, Outdoor, Pick Your Own Farm Options

Have you found a new love for cooking and gardening while you have been inside the last couple of months? We are finding that simple, back to the earth pleasures are attracting guests to the Mid Coast of Maine. In addition to forest bathing in Camden Hills State Park, our guests are enjoying strolling around admiring the New England gardens on the coast.  Our guests are also searching out farms for u-pick fresh fruit. The fresh fruit can be brought home for canning, pies and other sweet treats. Maine is famous for their small, delicious blueberries, but did you know that the Coast of Maine also has great strawberries, apples, pears, pumpkins and raspberries? Channel your inner farm and head to Camden Maine. These short-day trips are relaxing as you reconnect with nature. Here is our list of great day trips for Mid Coast Maine Pick Your Own Farms. 

Can’t come this summer, start planning for the fall when the pumpkins and corn mazes are abundant!

Rockport Maine. 

Beech Hill – want to do some hiking and then pick some blueberries and raspberries. Beech Hill is a conservation property in Rockport Maine. The conservation sells the blueberries as a fundraiser to maintain the property, but 1 day a year, they allow a community Free Pick day. The hiking trail through the property culminates at the top with a historic sod roofed stone hut. The hut is open on select days to welcome the community for fundraiser activities. The views in the distance reveal nearby islands and the Maine coastline. The trail is a favorite of locals because the blueberry and raspberry bushes are low allowing the sun to warm you on colder fall and winter days. 

Washington Maine.

Sweet Season Farm -Located in the quaint little town of Washington, this farm has a storefront, cafe, ice cream stand and great views of Appleton Ridge. This sweet, family farm is a short 30-40 minute drive from the Inn. U-Pick hours are from 7am to 7pm Wednesday – Sunday. The farm does not use pesticides 

Hope Maine. 

Hardy Farms Orchards & Hope Orchards- Both of these family farms are located in the nearby town of Hope. You could visit both in one day and come home with apples, pumpkins and pears. Both Farms are a impressive drive up Rt 52 and are great places to watch the sunset as they both have vistas of Camden Hills. Hope Orchards has events during the season, check their website for details. 

Whitefield Maine

Sheepscot General Store and Farm is a unique addition to this list because in addition the delicious, certified organic berries they grow, they also grow hemp, which they harvest in September. This farm is a little further away in Whitefield, but make a day of it, the 1 hour drive over Rt 17 is scenic and easy. You could pick in the morning and then enjoy a delicious lunch from the quaint farm store. 

We love watching our guests enjoy the fruit of the land here in Mid Coast Maine. When they return to our Camden Maine Inn, they relax by the fire-pit and then stroll downtown to enjoy a meal on the water. We are confident that when they return home they will look fondly on their time at the farm and the back to the earth experience they found in Mid Coast Maine. 

Best Picnic Spots in Camden Maine

One of the best ways to celebrate summer is with a picnic. Locals and tourists alike will agree that Maine’s picturesque scenery is the ideal setting for an outdoor feast. The summer flowers are in full bloom and the lakes are the perfect temperature to take a refreshing swim. If you’re looking for the best spots in Camden to enjoy the outdoors and share a meal during your stay at the Captain Swift Inn, you’ve come to the right place. The Captain Swift Inn Innkeepers would be delighted to prepare a picnic hamper for you to take on your outing.

Picnic Spots in Camden Maine

 Laite Beach

First on our list of the best picnic spots in Camden is Laite Beach, located on Bayview Street.

Equipped with its own picnic tables and bathrooms, Laite Beach offers views of Camden’s Idyllic Harbor. Enjoy your lobster rolls that you picked up at the Camden Deli or Graffam Brothers Seafood Market, while watching the schooners sail past Curtis Island. This is a favorite place for locals to dip their feet. At low tide, this rocky - sandy area is ideal to sit, read and refresh. If it’s an especially hot day, follow your meal with a jump in the ocean - guaranteed to cool you off any day. 

 

Camden Harbor Park 

Camden Harbor Park is another favorite picnic spot for locals and tourists that will give you a much more intimate feel for life in Camden. Whether you decide to lay a blanket out on the grass or use one of the new picnic tables available, you’ll be able to listen to the calming sounds of the waterfall while enjoying your lunch in the company of the friendly local ducks and the historic statue of Edna Saint Vincent Millay. The nearby Camden Public Library offers free wifi, making streaming your favorite music or catching up on emails easy.

Mount Battie

 

For a birds-eye view during your picnic adventure, we recommend the top of Camden’s most accessible mountain, Mount Battie. If you would like to work up an appetite before your meal, enjoy the rugged hike through the well-loved Camden Hills State Park. For those who would prefer a more easy-going afternoon trip to the top of this picturesque mountain, there is also an auto road that will take you to the top in a matter of minutes. Plan your picnic for sun set and watch the moon come out of the harbor and the sun disappear behind the mountain.

 

Lighthouse Lookout

By far the most romantic picnic setting in Camden is our Lighthouse Lookout, located on Bay View Street by Laite Beach. The hidden nature of the little path makes this the most exclusive spot for couple’s to enjoy a picnic together on a bench overlooking the stoic Curtis Island Lighthouse. This is the only place on public land that you can see the lighthouse.

Village Green

The new picnic benches in the Village green, located in the center of downtown Camden

Maine, are ideally located for those that want to watch the hustle and bustle of the downtown. All of the great take out spots are a stones throw from this ideal picnic spot. The beautiful trees and well maintained gardens of the village green make for a serene spot is an active downtown. 

Lake Megunticook

            The locals love Barret's Cove, located at the head of Lake Megunticook.  This great, public lake beach area, off Rt. 52, Mountain Street, has picnic benches, bathrooms and a fun dock for the kids to swim out to. This is also an ideal place to watch the sunset behind the mountains. 

Last but not least, guests are always welcome find a comfortable place at the Inn to sit and enjoy a meal. Many of the local restaurants are offering take-out and delivery.  Whether you choose to retire in the outdoors next to our deluxe fire pit to watch the stars or your own luxury suite, you will agree that the Captain Swift Inn and Camden Maine are a great place to celebrate summer.