Stoneham, Maine: Home to Picturesque Keewaydin Lake and the Peaceful Waters of Virginia Lake

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Stoneham, Maine: Home to Picturesque Keewaydin Lake and the Peaceful Waters of Virginia Lake


Virginia Lake in Stoneham, Maine
Tucked away only 30 minutes from Bridgton and about the same from North Conway, New Hampshire, is Keewaydin Lake in Stoneham.


The breathtaking scenery, mountain views, big sky and sparkling water make this 307 acre lake a gem to spend time on. Few large boats are found on the lake and jet skis are not allowed, adding to its tranquility.


During July and August, the water temperature averages around 75-82, just right for a refreshing dip. And a dip is the perfect way to end the day if you’ve been out on the lake.
Joan Lundin, a lakefront owner, loves to explore the Striped Ledge. According to the Maine Geological Survey the Striped Ledge is “an unusual bedrock outcrop . . . this ledge consists of metamorphic rock (gneiss) intruded by granite and granite pegmatite. The white pegmatite in turn is cut by a complex swarm of many narrow black basaltic dikes, giving the outcrop an unusual striped appearance.”
Visitors can access the ledge to view the cross-cutting basalt dikes by pulling a boat up to it.
Joan says, “The best thing I like about the lake is the quietness. It is so peaceful, even on supposedly the busiest weekends of the year, i.e. July 4th, there might be only three boats on the water.”
The day I visited, a loon was calling. Joan said there has always been a set of loons on the lake and some years she has seen a baby riding on its mother’s back.
If fishing is your thing, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks Keewaydin Lake with brook trout, landlocked salmon and splake.
Another quiet fishing spot is located less than a mile away on Virginia Lake. Because of its small size at only 145 acres, and maximum depth of 28 feet, Virginia Lake doesn’t see much boat traffic. Bartlett Brook flows into Keewaydin Lake from Virginia Lake, but is not accessible via boat.
The White Mountain National Forest borders this area, so hiking trails are easily accessible.  
From Keewaydin, you can hike through Albany Notch, the natural passage between Peter Mountain and Albany Mountain, to Crocker Pond Road. You’ll also find yourself close to Evergreen Valley, Blueberry Mountain, and others hiking trails in Evans Notch.
“The trails go on forever!” says Joan.
If you want to get away from it all, this is the place to visit. Stoneham is a “small town overflowing with tradition.”
And part of that tradition is located just up Route 5 from Keewaydin Lake. A.J.’s Everything is a mom and pop operation where you’ll find canned goods, bread, milk, newspapers, video rentals and great food in their dining room. Just remember, they don’t accept credit cards, but they do have an ATM machine.
To view Maine lakefront property listings for sale on Keewaydin Lake, just click on the green box above.

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