Camden was formed in 1777 from Pasquotank. It was named in honor of Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, who was one of the staunchest friends of the Americans in the British Parliament. It is in the northeastern section of the State and is bounded by the state of Virginia, Albemarle Sound, and Pasquotank, Gates, and Currituck counties. The present land area is 239.85 square miles and the population in 1990 was 5,904. Camden is the county seat.

For the sportsman, Camden County's waters and forests provide excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting. Waters range from small, inviting creeks and lovely rivers, where large mouth bass and perch are found, to the broad Albemarle Sound... a popular area for sports fishermen for its yield of herring, mullet, shad, white perch, croakers and striped bass. Adjacent to the Great Dismal Swamp, Camden is also favored by hunters who come for bear, deer, birds, small game and waterfowl.

The Pasquotank River Yacht Club is located on the Camden Causeway in Camden County and they have a number of sailing events during the year. Boat races are held on the Pasquotank River, as well as water ski competitions. Several marinas are located along the Camden Causeway to meeting boating needs, as well as specialty shops in neighboring Elizabeth City.

Watermark Association of Artisans -- Watermark, organized in 1978, is a member-owned craft producing cooperative. Known nationally and internationally, the association's products are sold across the United States and in England, Italy, France, and Japan. Watermark's buildings, located on US 158 East in Camden County, house a retail shop and craft classes as well as the shipping facilities for its over 700 producers of traditional and indigenous crafts. The Restored Jail and historic buildings -- The jail was built in 1910, and restored in 1986. Adjacent to the Camden Courthouse, the first floor is now used as county offices and the second floor is restored to display the iron cellblock or "bullpen," surrounded by a narrow catwalk.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge -- Located in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was formed in 1974 when Union Camp Corporation donated 49,100 acres of forested wetlands to The Nature Conservancy. This land was then conveyed to the Department of the Interior, and the Refuge officially established. The Refuge consists of over 107,000 acres, with Lake Drummond, a 3,100 acre natural lake in the center of the Swamp.