Camp Ellis Beach derives its name from the historic fishing village at the Saco River mouth, where U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jetty construction began in 1867 to facilitate commercial navigation, creating one of the East Coast's largest jetties at 2,032 meters though erroneously blocking natural sand movement from the Saco River source. This York County beach suffered severe erosion losing 33-38 properties between 1968-1998 with 400 feet of shoreline loss, prompting 2023 federal approval for 5 million Army Corps mitigation including a stone spur jetty and 92,000 cubic yards of beach sand replenishment, serving Saco's working waterfront heritage with continued fishing, lobstering operations, and charter boat activities.
The beach offers saltwater fishing as a chief attraction with pier fishing off Camp Ellis Breakwater and pier inside the Saco River entrance, with bait shops, pump-out services, boat ramps, and popular striped bass fishing opportunities. Visitors can charter deep-sea fishing boats, swim in gentle waves, kayak up the Saco River to the dams, and photograph stunning views from the scenic pier. The beach provides summer bathrooms and beach access along the working waterfront, where locals bask in the sun and stroll along the breakwater, complemented by ongoing shoreline restoration efforts to intercept wave energy and protect the historic fishing community from further coastal erosion.
Camp Ellis dining includes Huot's Seafood Restaurant for freshly prepared Southern Maine seafood and specialty salads with live entertainment overlooking Saco Bay since 1935, operating with indoor and outdoor dining plus full bar service, while Camp Ellis General Store offers morning coffee and pastries, grab-and-go sandwiches, and classic Maine lobster bake fixings, serving the Saco River entrance fishing community and beach visitors exploring this working waterfront village.
