A New Connection Through Old Mountains
The Camden Hills have always had a fragmented trail network, excellent individual trails on individual mountains, but limited connections between them. The Moon Trail changes that. This relatively new multi-use path links the popular Mount Battie area on the south end of Camden Hills State Park to the Bald Rock Mountain trailhead on the north end in Lincolnville, creating a ridgeline traverse that was previously impossible without road-walking.
The trail follows the interior of the Camden Hills range, weaving through mixed hardwood forest, crossing streams, and climbing over several intermediate ridges. Along the way, it connects to the existing trail network at multiple points, opening up loop possibilities that did not exist before. You can now start at the state park entrance in Camden and walk all the way to Bald Rock without leaving the woods.
The views along the route include glimpses of Penobscot Bay through the trees, and the trail sections near Bald Rock Mountain offer some of the finest open-ledge panoramas on the midcoast. This is not a coastal walk. It is a proper mountain traverse with real elevation gain and loss, rocky footing in places, and enough distance to feel like a genuine day hike.
The Route
Most hikers walk the Moon Trail as a point-to-point traverse, arranging a car shuttle or ride between the two ends. The southern terminus connects to the Mount Battie Trail network at Camden Hills State Park. The northern terminus is at the Bald Rock Mountain trailhead on Youngtown Road in Lincolnville.
The full traverse covers about 5.8 miles with approximately 900 feet of cumulative elevation gain. The terrain is a mix of singletrack trail through forest, rock slab sections on exposed ridges, and well-graded connector segments. The trail is also open to mountain biking, so be prepared to share the path, especially on weekends.
Walking from the Camden Hills State Park side toward Bald Rock Mountain puts the best views at the end of your hike. The open ledges of Bald Rock face south and east, giving you Penobscot Bay spread out below as your reward for the traverse. It is also slightly more downhill in this direction.
The trail is well-marked with blazes and signs at major intersections. GPS or a downloaded trail map is still recommended, as the network of connecting trails can be confusing in places.
Ridgeline Highlights
The middle section of the Moon Trail crosses several intermediate knolls with partial views through the canopy. These are not dramatic overlooks, but they give you a sense of the topography, rolling ridgeline, deep ravines, and the blue expanse of the bay appearing and disappearing between the trees.
The forest transitions from hardwood to mixed to spruce as you gain elevation, and the character of the trail changes with it. Lower sections are wide and smooth, suitable for a fast pace. Higher sections become rockier, with exposed root systems and occasional scrambles over ledge.
The Moon Trail is open to both hikers and mountain bikers. Stay alert at blind corners, especially on downhill sections. Bikers should yield to hikers, but it is smart to listen for approaching riders. On busy fall weekends, the trail sees significant bike traffic.
The approach to Bald Rock Mountain is the payoff. The trail climbs gradually through thinning forest, then emerges onto broad, open granite ledges with unobstructed views of Penobscot Bay, the islands of West Penobscot Bay, and the Camden Hills spread out behind you.
When to Go
Spring
Muddy in April and early May. Wildflowers appear by late May. The trail dries out by June. Mountain bikers may churn up wet sections.
Summer
Fully dry trail, long days, warm temperatures. Shady forest keeps the trail cool even on hot days. Carry plenty of water.
Fall
Peak foliage season turns this into one of the finest ridge walks in the midcoast. October is spectacular. Trail sees higher traffic.
Winter
Accessible with snowshoes. The trail is not groomed. Winter views through leafless trees are surprisingly good. Icy ledges require caution.
For a car shuttle, leave one car at the Bald Rock trailhead on Youngtown Road in Lincolnville and drive the other to Camden Hills State Park. The drive between the two trailheads is about 15 minutes. Or just hike out and back from either end for a shorter day.
Loop Options
The Moon Trail opens up several loop possibilities by connecting to existing trails:
The most popular loop starts at Camden Hills State Park, climbs Mount Battie via the carriage road or Mount Battie Trail, picks up the Moon Trail heading north, then returns via the Ski Lodge Trail or Multi-Use Trail for a circuit of roughly 6 to 7 miles. This keeps you on one side of the park and avoids the need for a car shuttle.
From the Bald Rock side, you can loop over Bald Rock Mountain and return via the Bald Rock Trail and forest roads for a shorter circuit of about 4 miles that includes the best summit views.
What to Bring
Moon Trail Packing List
- Sturdy hiking boots (rocky terrain in places)
- 2 liters of water (limited water sources along the ridge)
- Lunch and snacks for a full day
- Trekking poles (helpful on the rocky descents)
- Trail map or GPS (multiple trail junctions can be confusing)
- Layers (ridgeline can be windy, especially at Bald Rock)
FAQ
How long does the Moon Trail take to hike?
The full 5.8-mile point-to-point traverse takes most hikers 3 to 4.5 hours. Add time for summit breaks and photography. If doing a loop from the state park side, plan for 4 to 5 hours.
Can you mountain bike the Moon Trail?
Yes. The Moon Trail is a multi-use trail open to hikers and mountain bikers. The terrain ranges from smooth singletrack to rocky technical sections. It has become one of the more popular mountain biking routes in the Camden Hills.
Do you need a car shuttle for the Moon Trail?
For the full point-to-point traverse, yes. You need to arrange transportation between the Camden Hills State Park entrance and the Bald Rock Mountain trailhead on Youngtown Road in Lincolnville. Alternatively, you can create a loop using connecting trails or simply hike out and back from either end.
Is the Moon Trail dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are allowed on leash throughout Camden Hills State Park and on the Moon Trail. The trail is moderate difficulty with some rocky sections but manageable for most dogs. Bring water for your dog as sources are limited along the ridge.
