There's a lot happening at Camp Ellis

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	June, 2007	Return to newsletter index

Now that summer has arrived Camp Ellis and the surrounding area is very busy with summer visitors, lobster men, recreational boaters and fishermen. The city has facilities at Camp Ellis which include a parking lot, boat ramp, pier, and floats. All facilities ore open to the public and most have a fee associated with their use.

The parking lot is central to all activities as well as area restaurants and there is usually plenty of space available. The lot opens on Memorial Day weekend and is a weekend only operation until the middle of June. At that time the lot goes to daily operation and is open 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days per week. The hourly rate is $2.00 per hour with a maximum of $20.00 for the day, and a flat rate of $3.00 after 5 p.m. Saco residents may obtain a permit which allows unlimited access to the lot for a fee of $10.00, there is no charge for residents 62 years of age or older. Non-Residents may also obtain a parking permit for unlimited access, seasonal permits are $100.00 and monthly permits are $30.00.

The boat ramp is available for launching vessels. There is a fee of $5.00 to use the ramp. Parking for a vehicle and trailer is $5.00 per hour. This is a tidal area and the ramp can be high and dry at times. All boaters should be mindful of this fact and plan their trips accordingly. There is no launch fee for canoes and kayaks, but the parking rates would apply if the lot is used.

The dock is primarily reserved for and used by the commercial fishermen and lobstermen. There is an active fishing community at Camp Ellis and the pier is heavily used. Visitors are welcome to access the pier and there are benches provided for use. All visitors but should use caution when on the pier and keep in mind that this is a working facility and their may be moving vehicles, cranes and other equipment in use. The city has a Dock Master who monitors activity on the dock and is responsible for keeping the area clear for the fishermen.

The floats are utilized by a number of different entities. This includes the commercial fishermen who keep their punts and skiffs tied to the floats when not in use. Charter boats and the whale watch pick up and drop off customers from the floats. The City's rescue boat is berthed here. The floats are also available for boaters visiting the area and wanting to tie up for a few hours or overnight. Fees for this service are $5.00 per hour or overnight for $2.00 per foot with a $25.00 minimum. The Dock Master is there to assist boaters wishing to use the floats.

This is a brief summary of the facilities available in the Camp Ellis area.

This area of Saco is very beautiful and offers a number of activities for both residents and visitors. This includes the beach, restaurants, whale watching trips, fishing charters, sightseeing and fishing from the beach or breakwater. A Shark Fishing Tournament is scheduled for August 24th and 25th. There are usually a number of sharks landed and some are very large. The weigh in is scheduled for 5-8 PM each day. This would be a great opportunity to see these fish up close.