69 acres of spring-fed water. Canoe, kayak, tubes, water mat and swim raft all included. No gas motors or jet skis — electric motors welcome. Peaceful and quiet. There is no public boat launch on Beaver Pond. No boat trailers, no crowds, no strangers pulling up next to you. On most days there are maybe three people fishing the entire pond — us, one neighbor with a kayak, and a guy across the lake. Often it's just you. And the beaver. And the loons. We regularly pull 5-8 pound largemouth bass out of this pond.
🎣 The Secret Fishing Spots — from your hosts:
Largemouth Bass: The tip of the island is one of the best spots on the pond. On the left side of the island there's a drop-off about 50 feet off the far tip — bass love to hang along that shelf. Cast right to the edge and work it slow.
Smallmouth Bass: The back shore has numerous stumps and logs along the bottom — classic smallmouth structure. There's also a large boulder — maybe 8-10 feet tall with a shallow cave worn into it — along that shoreline. Work the whole back shore carefully.
Pickerel: Any of the numerous lily pad fields around the pond. There are four coves on the lake — cast into the pads and work the edges. Pickerel are ambush predators and love this structure.
White Perch: The far cove across the lake from us — look for the large boulders and the overhanging tree. That's where they congregate.
Landlocked Salmon: Occasional winter visitors — they migrate up from Moose Pond through Sucker Brook. Ice fishing only. Maine IFW has documented this migration.
Moose Pond record: The biggest largemouth ever caught in Maine was an 11lb 10oz lunker from Moose Pond right up the road in 1968. Those genes are in our water.
🦫 Wildlife on Beaver Pond:
Our resident beaver enters and exits its lodge right at the marsh point at the right edge of our cove — you'll see it often from the beach, especially at dusk. There's a beaver dam in the marsh where a creek flows in from across the street. The marsh on the right side of our cove is where you'll occasionally spot a moose — early morning is best. We've had several deer swim back and forth to the island over the years. Loons nest on the pond annually. Keep your eyes open — Beaver Pond earned its name.
⛈ Summer storms move in fast — secure the watercraft when leaving and check that windows aren't wide open before you head out.
Larry is a Bridgton legend. Fisherman-owned bait and tackle shop with everything you need for the Lakes Region — rods from toddlers through adults, all the right lures for Beaver Pond bass and pickerel, Maine fishing licenses, and more local knowledge than anyone in the area. Larry will tell you exactly what's biting, where, and on what. He genuinely loves getting kids excited about fishing. Four seasons — summer fishing through full ice fishing gear in winter. He also runs a free kids ice fishing contest at the Highland Lake Winter Carnival every year, donating all prizes himself.
Get your Maine fishing license here — required age 16+. Don't be shy about asking Larry for tips — he loves to help and knows every fish in every pond within 30 miles.
Main Street in Bridgton backs up badly in summer — especially July 4th week and foliage season. Here's the local secret your hosts want you to know: take Willett Road right next to Hannaford — directly across from McDonald's. Head up the hill to High Street, turn right, and go straight until you hit the rotary. At the rotary, the first right takes you down to Main Street, the second right puts you on Route 302 — the way back to the lodge. Completely bypasses Main Street. Locals use this every summer. Worth memorizing on your first day.
Head west (left) on Route 302 about a quarter mile, then turn right onto Sam Ingalls Hill Road. Once you’re off 302 it’s a quiet country road — a hilly up-and-back walk with nice views, charming stone walls, lovely old farmhouses, and a couple of small old cemeteries you can poke around in. Not a loop — out-and-back. A perfect early-morning walk before the day heats up.
April through October — beaches, water, farm stands, day trips
Bridgton's public town beach on Highland Lake — beautiful sandy beach, free to use, perfect for a change of scenery from Beaver Pond. The water is clear, the beach is sandy, and it's right in town so you can grab ice cream at Maine Street Creamery or lunch at one of the restaurants afterward. That's the beauty of this area — you can cruise different beaches, different lakes, different vibes. Within a 20-mile radius of the lodge you've got more than 30 named lakes and ponds plus the Saco River. No two days have to look the same.
Free parking, lifeguards in summer. Great for families with young kids — shallow entry, sandy bottom, very safe swimming area.
The Naples Causeway area on Long Lake has a great public beach — bigger water, more of a scene, boat traffic on the lake. Totally different vibe from quiet Beaver Pond. Grab ice cream or a bite at the Causeway afterward. Great for a half day trip when you want something different.
The best large public beach in the region — long sandy stretch on Maine's second largest lake. Lifeguards, picnic areas, facilities. Worth the drive for a full beach day when you want something more expansive.
Small day use fee. Gets busy on hot weekends — arrive early for parking.
This area is so loaded with beautiful lakes, ponds, rivers and swimming holes that you never know when you're going to come across a spot that's just too good not to jump in. Our honest advice — just leave the bathing suit on all day. You'll thank us later. 😄
Ski Hot delivers kayaks, paddleboards (SUP) and canoes right to your dock or beach — no transport hassle. They cover Beaver Pond, Moose Pond, Long Lake and 20+ lakes in the region. Call ahead to reserve and they bring it, you paddle, they pick it up. Perfect if you want more watercraft than we have on hand.
📞 (207) 803-8472 — book a day or two ahead in July and August. Great for larger groups who want everyone on the water at once.
Another great local paddleboard, kayak and canoe rental service with free delivery to Beaver Pond, Moose Pond, Long Lake and beyond. Choose your watercraft online and they drop it off when you're ready to go.
One of the best summer days in Maine — float the Saco River from Swans Falls down to the Canal Bridge on Route 302. Put in just below the dam at Swans Falls, drift 3.8 lazy miles past the Fryeburg Fairgrounds, and take out at the Canal Bridge on 302. About 3–4 hours on the water. Saco River Canoe & Kayak is right at Swans Falls and handles tubes and shuttle service. Want to bring your own tubes? You can put in below the dam yourself and take out at the fairgrounds or float all the way to the 302 bridge.
Book ahead in July and August — fills up fast on hot weekends. The sandy banks and gentle current make this perfect for all ages.
Park at Swans Falls Campground on Canal Road in Fryeburg. Put in just below the dam at the Swans Falls access point. Float downstream — you'll pass the Fryeburg Fairgrounds on your left. Option 1: Take out at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds (shorter float, ~1.5 hrs). Option 2: Float all the way to the Canal Bridge on Route 302 — 3.8 miles total, ~3–4 hours. Have your second car waiting at the 302 bridge for pickup.
When you want to get out on bigger water with a motor, Long Lake Marina has you covered — pontoon boats, deck boats, tubes, waterskis and wakeboards for rent on Long Lake. Perfect for a full family day on the water. Our pond has no gas motors so this is your go-to for the real boating experience.
Must be 25+ to operate. Book ahead for summer weekends — pontoons go fast.
Maine's second-largest lake with beautiful State Park beaches, swimming, fishing and boat rentals. A great full beach day when you want something bigger than the pond.
Ice cream, boat rentals, shops and the famous Songo River Queen paddleboat on Long Lake. A fun afternoon out with kids.
Open since 1957 — one of Maine's last remaining drive-ins. Double features under the stars. Open through late October, so fall foliage season too! Watching a movie surrounded by peak Maine foliage is genuinely magical.
Cash only at the box office and snack bar. Check their Facebook page for current showtimes. Gates open around 6pm, movies start at dusk.
A Bridgton institution. Pick-your-own apples from late August through November — drive your car right into the orchard. Over a dozen varieties including Honeycrisp, Cortland, Macoun and Jonagold. Also peaches, blueberries and raspberries in season. In winter, 30km of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails wind through the orchard and surrounding fields — one of the most beautiful XC experiences in western Maine.
Open late August–November 9am to dusk for picking. XC skiing from late December through March. Six miles south on Route 107.
Pick-your-own highbush blueberries in the heart of the Lakes Region. Large, juicy berries — bring a container and fill it up. Open mid-July through end of September, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10am–2pm.
📞 (207) 787-2730 — call ahead to confirm picking conditions before making the trip.
Wild "lowbush" Maine blueberries are a different thing entirely from the highbush variety — smaller, more intense, classic Maine flavor. They're raked rather than picked, sold by the pound, and freeze beautifully for winter pancakes. Three good options: Cummings Blueberries (96 King Hill Road, South Paris — see their Facebook page), Intervale Farm (New Gloucester), and Lost and Found Farm (Gray).
A few leaves and tiny stems is fine — Mom used to wash them and throw them straight into a pie, stems and all. Delicious.
Local produce, baked goods, honey, cheese, flowers and crafts every Saturday morning through the summer. A great first stop to stock the kitchen with the best Maine has to offer.
A beloved local farm stand with fresh vegetables, fruits, and seasonal Maine produce. Worth a stop to stock up for cooking at the lodge. Six generation family farm practicing sustainable agriculture since 1799.
A three generation 200-acre family farm right on the Fryeburg/NH border in the Saco River valley — and well worth the drive. Farm-raised natural beef, pork and poultry, fresh vegetables, eggs, local cheese, prepared foods and legendary baked goods. In summer pick your own flowers. In fall a spectacular corn maze — elaborate enough that the kids might not come back 😄 — plus hayrides, pumpkin picking and fall festivals. The flavored milks in glass bottles are famous. Open year-round.
Perfect stop on a North Conway/Kancamagus day trip. Go through Fryeburg, turn right toward North Conway and you can't miss it on East Conway Road.
One of the most magical concert venues in New England — a stunning timber frame barn on top of a hill in the middle of the Maine woods. National acts perform up close and personal in an intimate 200-seat setting. Peter Wolf, Martin Sexton, Adam Ezra Group and many more. Dinner available at the Queen Post Café in the adjacent barn. You drive up a dirt road wondering where you're going — and then there it is, red clapboards glowing against the trees. Completely unforgettable.
Book tickets well in advance — shows sell out fast and ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Check the schedule at stonemountainartscenter.com. Any night of the week. Worth rearranging your whole trip around.
One of Maine's most beloved and baffling roadside attractions — a 1930s signpost at the crossroads of Routes 5 and 35 in Lynchville pointing to Norway (14 mi), Paris (15 mi), Denmark (23 mi), Sweden (25 mi), Poland (27 mi), Mexico (37 mi), Peru (46 mi) and China (94 mi). All of them towns right here in Maine, named during a time when settlers wanted to honor nations fighting for independence. The original sign was stolen so many times by college students it's now in the Maine State Museum — the current steel version is bolted firmly in place. Tourists from around the actual world stop here for photos. There's even a guestbook with entries from Cambodia, Japan, China. A perfect quirky Maine moment.
Norway is just 14 miles away — so on your way home from the sign, swing through downtown Norway for a beer at Norway Brewing. You'll have literally traveled from China to Norway in an afternoon without leaving Maine. 😄
A classic western Maine town on the Saco River — home to Fryeburg Academy (one of the oldest private schools in America), the famous Jockey Cap hike with sweeping White Mountain views, and the Hemlock Bridge, one of Maine's few remaining covered wooden bridges built in 1857. The Saco River here is gentle and perfect for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Weston's Beach is a lovely sandy stretch along the river for swimming and picnicking. And every October, Fryeburg hosts the Fryeburg Fair — the largest agricultural fair in Maine, and a super fun classic-Maine experience: livestock, harness racing, fried dough, the works.
Jockey Cap is a short but rewarding hike — moderate climb, panoramic views of the White Mountains. Worth it on a clear day.
The Saco River through Fryeburg is slow, gentle and beautiful — perfect for a lazy afternoon paddle past farmland and forest. Saco Canoe Rental Company and Saco River Canoe & Kayak both offer rentals and shuttle service. Different vibe from Beaver Pond — bigger water, current, and stunning scenery.
Norway's downtown has quietly become one of the most interesting small town main streets in Maine. The Norway Brewing Company anchors one end — great beer and food in a friendly taproom with a beer garden. Walk Main Street for Katherine’s Bakery & Cafe (NY-style pastries, great donuts), Fiber & Vine (a wonderful yarn-and-wine shop combo), local artisan shops, the Tribune Books & Gifts, Handmade Maine co-op, The Woods Maine lifestyle shop, and Fare Share Market natural foods co-op. Roberts Farm Preserve nearby has beautiful trails overlooking Lake Pennesseewassee with groomed XC ski and snowshoe trails in winter.
Downtown shops often close on Sundays — best visited Monday through Saturday. The New Balance Factory Store is no longer in Norway — it moved to Oxford (19 Industrial Way). Pair a Norway downtown stroll with the Norway Brewing Company for a great half-day outing.
One of Maine's most beloved gardens — two acres of meticulously maintained perennials, lilacs, trees and shrubs surrounding a historic century-old farmstead. Free to visit (donations welcome). Especially beautiful in spring when the lilacs bloom. Nearby Paris Hill Historic District is a beautifully preserved 19th-century village that produced Hannibal Hamlin, Abraham Lincoln's first Vice President.
Hours are seasonal — check their website before visiting. Free admission makes this a perfect spontaneous stop.
A tiny, quiet town just west of Bridgton with beautiful lakes, rolling farmland and the Denmark Arts Center which hosts summer performances and community events. Worth a scenic drive through — the kind of Maine that hasn't changed in decades.
One of the most celebrated scenic drives in the world — 34 miles through White Mountain National Forest with no traffic lights, no commercial development. Stop at Albany Covered Bridge, Rocky Gorge, Lower Falls swimming hole, and Sabbaday Falls. The fall foliage here is legendary.
Fill up on gas and snacks in North Conway first — no services along the highway. Drive west toward Lincoln for the full experience. An absolute must in October.
Outlet shopping, great restaurants, the Mt. Washington Cog Railway, zip lines, kayaking and stunning White Mountain scenery. Book the Cog Railway in advance — it sells out in peak season.
The Cog Railway is a genuine bucket-list experience — the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway, running since 1869.
A New Hampshire institution since 1954 — our daughter loved it and we went as kids ourselves. Fairy tale-themed rides, shows and characters. Over 50 attractions for kids of all ages. A full day the whole family will remember.
Book tickets online in advance at storylandnh.com to save time at the gate.
The L.L.Bean flagship is open 24 hours and is a Maine institution. Dozens of outlet shops nearby. While there, stop at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster for legendary lobster rolls on the water. Cash only — ATM on site.
Rainy day perfect! Shop the outlets and grab lobster. If it's sunny, save this for a rainy day and stay at the beach instead.
Award-winning restaurants, the Old Port waterfront, Portland Head Light. Try Holy Donut for Maine potato donuts, Two Fat Cats Bakery for whoopie pies, Nura Falafel for a great sandwich. Catch a Sea Dogs game — bring sunscreen for day games!
Also the location of Portland International Jetport (PWM) if you’re flying home.
November through March — skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling
Maine's oldest major ski resort — 245 skiable acres, 40+ trails, 7 glades, 3 terrain parks and the most night skiing in New England. You can see the mountain lit up at night from the lodge. Downhill skiing, snowboarding, lessons for all ages. In fall they host an annual Fall Festival with scenic chairlift rides, live music, pumpkin painting, local brews, oysters, chili and donuts — adults $25, kids $10. A perfect October day out.
In summer and fall, 10 miles of hiking trails managed by Loon Echo Land Trust — the Ledges Trail, Bald Peak Trail, Southwest Ridge Trail and the historic Fire Warden's Trail (2.3 miles to the summit fire tower). Views of the White Mountains and the entire Lakes Region from the top.
Wild blueberry picking — the mountain is loaded with wild blueberries in late summer. Your hosts used to fill milk jugs halfway and bring them home for pies — though we'd run down the mountain with blue faces and blue hands having eaten half of them on the way down. Bring a container, bring the kids, and don't expect to come back clean. 😄
No gondola — chairlifts only. Book lift tickets online for skiing to save at the gate. For the Fall Festival check pleasantmountain.com for dates — it sells out. For hiking, dogs on leash welcome, wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Bridgton's go-to ski and snowboard shop right next to Pleasant Mountain. Daily and seasonal ski and snowboard rentals, boot fittings, tuning and repair. Top brands, kids to adults. Much faster and more personal than renting at the mountain itself. Also sells and rents kayaks in summer!
Go here first before hitting the mountain — quicker service and great local advice on trail conditions.
Full ski and snowboard rental packages including helmet at the base lodge. Toddler size 8 through men's size 16. Pre-purchase online to skip the line — you'll get barcodes emailed to you and head straight to the fitting room.
One of the premier ski resorts in New England — 8 trail-connected peaks, 15 lifts, 84km of terrain, and consistently the most open runs on the East Coast thanks to world-class snowmaking. The same company (Boyne Resorts) owns both Sunday River and Pleasant Mountain, so if you want to step up to a bigger mountain after a day or two at Pleasant, this is it. Nearby Bethel village is charming and has been ranked a top ski town in America by USA Today.
Book lift tickets online well in advance for holiday weekends — it sells out. The Oz glades are legendary on a powder day.
Beaver Pond itself freezes solid in winter and offers excellent ice fishing for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch and sunfish. Here's the secret — Beaver Pond's outlet drains into Moose Pond via Sucker Brook, and landlocked salmon from Moose Pond occasionally migrate upstream into Beaver Pond in winter. Maine IFW has documented this. You could catch a salmon right off our beach. Bring your tip-ups, hand warmers and patience.
Maine fishing license required age 16+. The pond is quiet and uncrowded in winter — completely different from the busy summer. Magical in its own way.
In winter, Moose Pond right down the road is dotted with ice fishing houses and snowmobile tracks. Excellent for bass, perch, pickerel, landlocked salmon and lake trout. You'll need a Maine fishing license (age 16+) — pick one up at Hannaford in town. Best in the early mornings.
Ice thickness matters — 4 inches minimum for walking, 8+ for snowmobiles. Always check conditions first.
Bridgton sits in one of Maine's prime snowmobiling regions. The Lakes Region has over 600 miles of groomed local trails plus direct access to Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS) — 4,000 miles of primary trail that connects the entire state. Moose Pond is right on the ITS corridor. The local club is the Bridgton Easy Riders — trail conditions hotline: (207) 647-5255. The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce even provides parking for snowmobile trailers.
Northeast Snowmobile Rentals has a location in nearby Fryeburg if you don't have your own sled — northeastsnowmobile.com. Book well in advance for winter weekends.