Calais (pronounced “CAL-us”) is a small city on the St. Croix River in the far northeastern corner of Maine, directly across the border from St. Stephen, New Brunswick. It is the gateway to Washington County, often called the Sunrise County, and the usual starting point for exploring the Bold Coast, Cobscook Bay and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. It is remote, quiet and rarely crowded, which is exactly why some visitors love it.
Calais is best known as a Canadian border crossing, the home of the St. Croix Island International Historic Site, and the gateway to a major wildlife refuge and the Bold Coast.
Planning your visit? See our guide to things to do in Calais.
Calais Quick Facts
- County: Washington County
- Location: on the St. Croix River, across from St. Stephen, New Brunswick
- Distance from Bangor: about 90 miles via Route 9 (the Airline Road)
- Crossing into Canada: bring a passport or other approved travel document, and check current border rules before you go
- Time zone: New Brunswick is on Atlantic Time, one hour ahead of Maine
Things to Do in Calais, Maine
St. Croix Island International Historic Site
In 1604 a French expedition led by Pierre Dugua de Mons, with Samuel de Champlain as geographer, spent the winter on a small island in the St. Croix River. Nearly half of the men died that winter, and the survivors moved to Nova Scotia the next summer. It was three years before Jamestown. The island itself is not open to visitors, but the National Park Service site at Red Beach in Calais has an overlook and exhibits that tell the story.
Cross the Border to St. Stephen
The Calais-St. Stephen International Bridge is one of the busiest border crossings in Maine. St. Stephen, New Brunswick is just across the river and is known as Canada’s chocolate town, with a chocolate museum. Expect lines in summer and on holiday weekends, and remember that you are on Atlantic Time once you cross.
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
The Baring Division of Moosehorn is just outside Calais, with trails and quiet roads through forest and wetland. It is one of the better birding spots in the Northeast, especially during spring and fall migration, and is known for American woodcock.
Fishing and Paddling on the St. Croix River
The St. Croix is known for smallmouth bass fishing and for paddling. Check the rules before you fish, since regulations on the river are specific. See our Maine fishing license guide.
Calais and the Bold Coast
Calais is the northern gateway to Washington County’s Bold Coast, one of the most dramatic and unspoiled stretches of coastline in the eastern United States. Down the coast are the Bold Coast Trail near Cutler, West Quoddy Head Light at Lubec (the easternmost point in the contiguous United States), and the wild shore of Cobscook Bay. See our Downeast Maine guide for the whole region.
Day Trips from Calais
- Eastport: the easternmost city in the US, roughly an hour away. See things to do in Eastport.
- Campobello Island: a cross-border day trip from Lubec. See our Campobello Island guide.
- Lubec: West Quoddy Head Light and the coast. See things to do in Lubec.
- Bold Coast Trail: the best coastal hiking in Maine. See our Bold Coast hiking guide.
- Machias: the Washington County hub on Route 1. See our Machias guide.
Getting to Calais, Maine
Calais is on US Route 1 at the eastern end of Maine’s coastal route, about 90 miles east of Bangor via Route 9 (the Airline Road), or about 150 miles via the coast. Route 1 continues north from Calais along the border toward Houlton and Aroostook County. The nearest major airport is Bangor International Airport. From the south, Route 1 passes through Machias and near Eastport before reaching Calais.
Best Time to Visit Calais
Summer and early fall are best for the coast, birding and the Bold Coast Trail. Winters are long, cold and quiet, and many seasonal businesses along the coast close.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Calais, Maine?
Calais, Maine is pronounced “CAL-us,” not like the French city (cal-AY). The local pronunciation is a source of pride in Washington County and one of the classic Maine place-name quirks.
What county is Calais, Maine in?
Calais is in Washington County, Maine’s easternmost county, which is nicknamed the Sunrise County.
Is Calais the easternmost city in the United States?
No. Calais is in Maine’s far northeastern corner, but Eastport, about an hour south, is farther east and is billed as the easternmost city in the US. West Quoddy Head near Lubec is the easternmost point in the contiguous United States.
Do I need a passport to visit St. Stephen, New Brunswick?
Yes, you need a passport or other approved travel document to cross from Calais into Canada and to return. Requirements change, so check the current U.S. and Canadian border rules before you go.
Can you visit St. Croix Island?
The island is not open to visitors. You can see it from the National Park Service overlook and exhibits at Red Beach in Calais.
What is Calais, Maine known for?
Calais is known for its Canadian border crossing, the nearby St. Croix Island International Historic Site, and as the gateway to the Bold Coast and Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.
Looking for work in Calais? Browse Jobs in Calais on JobsInMaine.com.