Ellsworth Home

An 18-mile drive from Acadia National Park, this two-bedroom Ellsworth vacation home sits just far enough from the Bar Harbor crowds to feel genuinely remote - yet close enough that you're never more than 30 minutes from the park's most popular trailheads and the waterfront bustle of downtown. The house itself is the kind of place that photographs well not because it's trying to impress, but because it genuinely is: a fully equipped kitchen, a private fire pit nestled in a secluded backyard, and the kind of stocking-job (board games, coffee machine, full linens) that means you don't arrive to scrambling.

The reviews here cluster around one theme: families arriving stressed and leaving relaxed. That matters. Acadia week is intense - the parks, the crowds, the logistics of feeding people after a day of hiking. This property absorbs that. William (the owner signs as "Bill" in guest replies) appears to be responsive and gracious when something goes sideways, which is the hallmark of a host who actually cares.

A fully equipped home, not a hotel room. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full kitchen with stovetop, oven, microwave, dryer, and coffee machine. You're cooking breakfast yourself, not waiting in a hotel lobby. Private entrance. No hallways. That distinction matters when you're traveling with kids or staying longer than a weekend.

The backyard is the real amenity. A deck, a fire pit, outdoor dining table, and genuinely secluded grounds. One family called it "out of a magazine gorgeous." You're sitting outside at dusk with a drink, watching the woods darken, not listening to highway traffic. This is why people rent homes instead of booking hotels on the Acadia circuit.

Close enough to everything, far enough from everyone. Three miles to Hulls Cove Visitor Center (Acadia's main entry point), nine miles to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, direct access to both Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. You're not trapped on a back road; you're positioned perfectly to explore without the downtown noise at night.

The host genuinely responds. Bill's replies in the guest reviews are specific, not templated. When a guest flagged the ant problem on a July stay, he contracted with an exterminator and reported back. That's the difference between a host who's in it for turnover and one who's in it for reputation.

Two bedrooms in a single, non-smoking home. The layout is straightforward vacation-rental: bedrooms upstairs (accessible by stairs only - note if mobility is a concern), living and kitchen space on the main floor. Linens and towels are provided and fresh.

The only real constraint: one bathroom. For a group of 5 or more adults, that requires some shower-scheduling. For a family of 4 or a couple of solo travelers, it's fine.

Kitchen & Food: Full stovetop and oven · Microwave · Refrigerator · Coffee and tea maker · Toaster · Full kitchenware and utensils · Dryer for hand-washing delicate items

Bedroom & Bath: Two bedrooms with fresh linens · One private bathroom with bathtub and shower · Free toiletries · Hairdryer · Toilet and bidet options

Entertainment & Technology: Flat-screen TV with cable channels · Board games and puzzles · Free WiFi throughout

Outdoors & Grilling: Barbecue for evening cookouts · Outdoor dining table · Fire pit with deck seating · Secluded backyard grounds

Practical: Private entrance · Air conditioning and heating · Street parking and accessible parking · Washer and dryer · Ironing facilities

June–August (Peak Season): The busiest window for Acadia and Bar Harbor. The fire pit becomes a nightly ritual. Expect warm days (70s–80s) and cool evenings - perfect for the firepit. Book early; weeks fill by April.

September–October (Shoulder Season): Crowds thin sharply after Labor Day. Fall foliage peaks late September through mid-October. The fire pit is essential here. Daytime temps 60s–70s; nights dip to 50s. Fewer bugs, clearer nights.

November–May (Off-Season): The property operates year-round, but Acadia is quieter. Hiking conditions are excellent in November and early December if you don't mind bare trees. Winter means snow - parking and access to the park can be rough. Spring (May) is lovely if you tolerate mud season. The fire pit is less appealing when it's cold and damp.

"The home and location were fantastic. The property and outdoor space was out of a magazine gorgeous - both secluded and relaxing. William was a responsive and gracious host."

• Joshua, United States · Family · 9/10

"Beautiful setting! Very well stocked and supplied. Our host Bill was very responsive when we had questions."

• Connie, United States · Family · 10/10

"Great location, very clean and beautiful house."

• Michael, Canada · Family · 10/10

"Location offered easy access to Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. Secluded backyard with a deck and outside fire pit."

• Jason, United States · Solo traveler · 8/10

The property's single real point of friction: one bathroom for larger groups (5+ people) requires coordinating showers and morning routines. A few guests also noted that the AC can create cold spots in some areas of the house, though the owner has been responsive to feedback. These are edge cases, not patterns.

• 3.7 miles to Hulls Cove Visitor Center - the official entry to Acadia National Park and the starting point for Park Loop Road
• 9 miles to downtown Bar Harbor - waterfront restaurants, the Shore Path, whale-watching charters, and the ferry to Winter Harbor
• 18 miles to Jordan Pond and the famous Jordan Pond Path (Acadia's most photographed hike)
• 20 miles to the summit of Cadillac Mountain - earliest sunrise in the U.S. during peak months
• 25 minutes to Lamoine State Park - quieter beach, less crowded than Mount Desert Island
• 10 miles to Ellsworth downtown - local restaurants, shops, and the Woodlawn Museum if the weather turns ugly
• 9.3 miles to Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport for connections

Is this home right on the water? No. It's a secluded residential property in Ellsworth, set back from the road with woods around it. You're 10 miles from Bar Harbor's waterfront and 9 miles from Ellsworth's downtown; it's positioned for privacy and quick access to both.

Is breakfast included? No, but the kitchen is fully equipped, so you cook your own. Coffee machine, stovetop, full utensils. Most families shop locally in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor and prep meals at the house.

How far is it really to Acadia? Eighteen miles (about 30 minutes) to the main park entrance at Hulls Cove. Jordan Pond and Cadillac Mountain are further. The trade-off is that you avoid the Bar Harbor hotel crowds and have a true home base.

Is there air conditioning? Yes, full AC throughout. Summer temps in Ellsworth can reach the mid-80s; the system works well, though some areas may have cold spots depending on usage.

Can we use the fire pit whenever we want? Yes. It's your private backyard. Check local burn restrictions during drought periods (rare in coastal Maine, but occasionally enforced).

What's the parking situation? Street parking and accessible parking on-site. No lot, but Ellsworth is residential and quiet - parking is not a stress point.

Is this pet-friendly? The listing doesn't mention pets. Contact the owner directly if you're traveling with animals.