Sand Pond & Hancock Pond Are Two For One in Denmark, Maine

by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
Via bike or car, a scenic drive through the lakes regions of Maine offers places for spectacular photo opportunities.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Hancock Pond

View Vacation Rentals in Denmark

This loop drive offers views of Long and Sebago Lakes, Crooked River, Hancock Pond and the surrounding countryside.
Begin at the Causeway in Naples, where you’ll find the Songo River Queen II, water sports, eateries, shops and galleries to explore.
Continuing on Route 302 East, you might take some time to visit the Raymond/Casco Historical Society Museum. Within the museum is an organ from Richard Manningʼs house. Mr. Manning was Nathaniel Hawthorneʼs uncle. Some Hawthorne memorabilia is also exhibited.
In the Victorian corner of the museum youʼll see muffs made of raccoon and mink, heads, tails and feet included, guaranteed to keep hands warm on a cold winter day. Ladiesʼ dresses and shoes, furniture, a silver tea set and steamer trunk are also shown in this area.
Farm tools and kitchen utensils each have their own section. A wheel found in Whittemore Cove on Raymond Cape, was from the control of steam valves on the steamboats that used to journey from Portland to Harrison.
And there are drums plus photos of Princess Goldenrod and her husband, Chief Half Moon. In the 1950s they operated a gift shop in a Teepee on Route 121 in Raymond.
One wall is dedicated to Ernest Harmon Knight, a historian who wrote several history books and documented the births and deaths of early residents. Over 20 scrapbooks make for perfect rainy day browsing. They include letters, postcards, photos and newspaper clippings on a variety of topics related to Casco, Raymond and many other area towns. This is only a small portion of the items housed in the museum, all of which were donated.
Back on the road, at Alyssa’s Motel on the Casco/Raymond town line, sit for a moment on Nathaniel Hawthorne’s granite seat overlooking Thomas Pond. (of course, you’ll pass by the office of Mr. Lakefront, so stop in and say hi) Just down the road, turn right onto Hawthorne Road. At the junction of Hawthorne and Raymond Cape Roads is the boyhood home of Nathaniel Hawthorne. (Side trip: Turn left on Raymond Cape Road and continue to the Frye Island Ferry.)
Turn right onto Raymond Cape Road to Route 302 West. Heading back toward Naples, look for signs for Sebago Lake State Park. Turn left onto State Park Road, which meanders beside Crooked River.
After the road crosses over the Songo River above the Songo Locks, you might park your car and watch the lock open and close during the summer season. Constructed in 1830, Songo Lock is the only remaining lock of the Cumberland-Oxford Canal and it connects Sebago Lake to Brandy Pond and Long Lake. Beginning about May 1st each year, the lock is in use and hand-operated.
About two miles further, look for signs leading to Clement Road and on to Route 114. Turn left onto Route 114 toward Sebago.
The road narrows and includes many twists and turns as you pass by Trickey Pond on the right and catch a quick glimpse of Sebago Lake on the left.
In Sebago, slow down to take in the panoramic vista of Sebago Lake. After crossing the Northwest River, turn right onto Long Hill Road toward Route 107 and Sebago Center. Turn right onto Route 107, pass through Sebago Center and turn left onto Hancock Pond Road.
Hancock Pond will eventually be on the left and Pickerel Pond, further along which you’ll follow back to Route 302.
To view lakefront properties for sale on Hancock Pond, click on the green box above.
To learn more about the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine, check out the blog links below.
Hancock Pond and Sands Pond, Denmark, Maine – Two for One for Lakefront Property Owners
Sebago, Maine, Located on Pristine Sebago Lake’s Western Shore
The Sebago Lake Region Offers Plenty of Fine Fishing for the Summer Vacationer
The Glorious Ruins of the Cumberland and Oxford Canal in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine