ELLSWORTH
Get Outdoors, Inland
Franklin is tucked in along Route 182. Historically the town had a solid reputation for quality granite. Today it is part of the Blackwoods Scenic Byway and a gateway to some of the regions best hiking and paddling spots.
Dedham, Lucerne, and East Orland offer some of the only true mountain biking trails in the entire region at Dedham Trails and Great Pond Mountain.
As you head north on Route 9, Amherst, Aurora, Osborn, Otis, and Waltham sit nestled amongst lakes and hills perfect for paddling, fishing, hiking, and ATV-ing.
The Hub of the Region
Oshima Brothers Concert, Ellsworth
Shop Local
Known for its retail shopping and antiques shops, Ellsworth has something for everyone!
Chicken Barn Creamery Antiques Dream Catcher A1 Relics
View from Tunk Mountain
Rooster Brother
Set along the Union River, the area’ s original industries included lumber and boat building, seen in the elaborate carving adorning the Ellsworth City Hall.
Today, Ellsworth’ s Main Street is filled with retail shops, restaurants, history, museums, cultural attractions, galleries, and more. Ellsworth contains many national brand stores, plus our favorite Maine-grown outlets: L. L. Bean, Renys, and Marden’ s.
Black House Mansion, part of the Woodlawn Museum, Gardens & Park, is lovingly preserved in historical detail with rare period furniture. Shop the gift shop, enjoy afternoon tea, and view their historic carriages and sleighs. Stroll through Woodlawn’ s 180 acres, including gardens, tournament-sized croquet court, a picnic lawn, and walking and running trails.
As you drive east along Route 9, look north to view Silsby Plain and the Whale’ s Back— geological features that were created by the movement of ancient glaciers.
Three Frenchman Bay Conservancy trails are in Ellsworth: The Ellsworth Riverwalk follows the Union River and begins in downtown Ellsworth behind the Public Library on State Street. Across from Harbor Park and Marina on Water Street, is Indian Point Preserve, which provides a scenic view of downtown across the Union River. Nearby is Jordan Homestead Preserve, where an easy 1-mile trail explores one of Ellsworth’ s last remaining large parcels with significant river frontage.
Winter Wonderland
With miles of trails, visitors can enjoy Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the Amherst Community Forest and Branch Lake Public Forest.
With more lake and ponds than we can count, ice fishing is very popular here. Check out Maine. gov / ifw for a beginner’ s guide to ice fishing.
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