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Major city · United States

Ellsworth, MaineEllsworth

Use Ellsworth as a 1-night supply base for Acadia, not a sightseeing stop: groceries, gas and cheaper beds 30 min from Bar Harbor.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Ellsworth is the county seat of Hancock County and the practical gateway to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island, about 30 minutes from Bar Harbor. It has the region's biggest supermarket and shopping strip, a compact downtown on the Union River, and motels that cost less than Bar Harbor in July and August. Most travellers pass through; a night here works if you want cheap beds, a full grocery run and an early park start.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep for park access; late Sep–Oct for foliage with fewer crowds
avoid Jul–Aug traffic on Route 1/Route 3 ('The Triangle'); Nov–Apr when many seasonal businesses close
Airports
BHB · BGR
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ellsworth, Maine911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Maine statewide information (211)211

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Ellsworth, Maine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$200

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Gateway to Acadia National Park and Bar HarborHancock County shopping and supply baseUnion River downtown and 1933 Art Deco City HallWoodlawn Museum (the Black House)
Airports
BHB Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport (Trenton) (About 5 mi / 8 km (5 mi) from Ellsworth; small seasonal regional service, check current routes) · BGR Bangor International Airport (About 30 mi / 48 km (30 mi); larger airport with year-round flights, check schedules)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    0°C (32°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    18°C (64°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  7. Jul

    Care

    26°C (79°F)

  8. Aug

    Care

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best*

    21°C (70°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

Best: Jun, Sep–Oct. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Ellsworth, Maine: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−1°C (30°F)

−11°C (12°F)

11 rd

Feb

0°C (32°F)

−10°C (14°F)

9 rd

Mar

5°C (41°F)

−5°C (23°F)

11 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

1°C (34°F)

11 rd

May

18°C (64°F)

6°C (43°F)

12 rd

Jun

23°C (73°F)

11°C (52°F)

11 rd

Jul

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

9 rd

Sep

21°C (70°F)

10°C (50°F)

9 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

4°C (39°F)

10 rd

Nov

8°C (46°F)

−1°C (30°F)

11 rd

Dec

2°C (36°F)

−7°C (19°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is close to essential: sights, the supermarket strip and Acadia are spread along Route 1 and Route 3. Downtown Ellsworth is walkable in 10–15 minutes. Downeast Transportation runs seasonal bus service linking Ellsworth with Bangor, Trenton and Bar Harbor — check the current timetable. There is no intercity train to Ellsworth.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Acadia National Park / Bar Harbor

go

Door to door: About 30–45 min

Drive Route 3 south, about 20–30 min to the park entrance

Start before 08:00 in summer; park entry needs a pass, and Cadillac Summit Road needs a separate timed reservation — check recreation.gov.

Blue Hill

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Drive Route 172 south, about 30 min

Village, galleries and a small beach; good half-day when the park is crowded.

Castine

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Drive Route 175/166 south, about 45–55 min

Historic coastal village with a maritime academy; quiet, walkable centre.

Bucksport

go

Door to door: About 35 min

Drive Route 1 south, about 30 min

Penobscot Narrows Bridge observatory and Fort Knox; check seasonal opening.

Winter Harbor / Schoodic Peninsula

go

Door to door: About 1–1.25 h

Drive Route 1 east then Route 186, about 1 h

The quiet side of Acadia; far fewer cars than Mount Desert Island.

Surry

caution

Door to door: About 25 min

Drive Route 172 north, about 20 min

Mostly a rural residential town; go only for a specific farm, gallery or waterfront stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

High Street / Route 1 strip

Motels and chain hotels on the road to Bar Harbor; drive-to-everything, best for one night with a car.

Downtown / Main Street

Walkable to the Union River, City Hall and cafés; fewer beds, book early in summer.

Route 1 west / Ellsworth Falls

Quieter motels and cabins toward Bangor; cheapest rates, 5–10 min drive from downtown.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$100–170 excl. bed
High
$170+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180US$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110US$220
Acadia National Park 7-day vehicle pass1 × US$35 · checkUS$35
Groceries for a self-catering day2 × US$25US$50
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$52
Trip total≈ US$284 per person per day, bed includedUS$567

2026 estimate in US dollars; park passes and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Lobster rollSeasonal; cheaper outside July–August.$20–32
Diner breakfast$10–16
Gallon of petrol$3.20–3.80 (check)
Motel double room, summer weekend$150–300
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Ellsworth is a low-crime small city; the real risks are summer road traffic, black ice in winter and wildlife on rural roads at dusk. Standard US precautions apply.
  • Summer traffic backs up at the Route 1/Route 3 junction known as 'The Triangle' — add 15–20 min at peak times.
  • Many seasonal restaurants, museums and motels close from late October to May; check before you book.
  • Woodlawn Museum is generally open May–September only; confirm dates and hours before going.
  • Cell coverage is fine in town but patchy on back roads toward the park; download offline maps.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Maine statewide information (211)
211

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Ellsworth, MaineEllsworth

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Maine statewide information211

Embassy

No embassies in Maine; nearest consulates are in Boston. US visitors: your own consulate is in Boston or New York.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi or rideshare, Ellsworth to Bar Harbor: about $35–55, 30 min (check)
  • Downeast Transportation, Ellsworth to Bar Harbor: low fare, seasonal, check the timetable

Say or show

  • Where is the supermarket? — Where is the supermarket?
  • Is this open in winter? — Is this open in winter?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • How far is Acadia from here? — How far is Acadia from here?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ellsworth, Maine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for park access; late Sep–Oct for foliage with fewer crowds · avoid Jul–Aug traffic on Route 1/Route 3 ('The Triangle'); Nov–Apr when many seasonal businesses close · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BHB and BGR: last connections, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking cluster for downtown Ellsworth: Main Street, Union River bridge, City Hall, library and Woodlawn.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Woodlawn Museum, Birdsacre Sanctuary, Grand Auditorium) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Acadia access fixture: park pass, Cadillac timed reservation and summer traffic windows so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources