Trenton
Trenton
Located ten miles south of Ellsworth on Route 3, Trenton is the gateway to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. Bounded by the Union River Bay to the west and Mount Desert Narrows to the south, Trenton is the last stop on the mainland before crossing the Trenton Bridge onto the island.
Along the road leading up to the bridge, visitors will find a wealth of gift shops, factory outlet stores, craft shops, and antique galleries. There’s mini golf, a go-cart track, water slide, a zoo, and an 18-hole golf course. Numerous lobster pounds have their wood-fired steamers going, waiting to serve up succulent Maine lobsters, chowder, corn-on-the-cob, steamed clams, strawberry shortcake, and other delicious Maine coast fare. Lodging options abound, with a range of restful inns, B&Bs, motels and cabins from which to choose. There’s also a well-stocked grocery store and several campgrounds.
Air travelers can fly into the Hancock County—Bar Harbor Airport, which offers scheduled air service while catering to private flyers. Air tours of Acadia National Park can also be arranged at the airport, and there are rental car services available. The fare-free Island Explorer park shuttle bus makes scheduled stops in Trenton as it connects Ellsworth and Bar Harbor and a variety of destinations throughout Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.
The Thompson Island Information Center is just across the bridge from Trenton, where you’ll find park information, park passes, and maps, books and brochures for making the most of your visit, as well as park interpretive display panels, restrooms and a water fountain. Directly across from the information center is the Thompson Island Picnic Area, where picnickers can enjoy picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and a water fountain, and wonderful views over the head of Frenchman Bay. Bar Harbor is just ten miles further south.