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Bear Island — Islands 26.5 Miles NNW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Umbagog Lake South Quadrangle · GNIS 865448
Within Coos County, New Hampshire, on the USGS Umbagog Lake South quadrangle, the island known as Bear Island sits 26.5 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “island in Coös County, New Hampshire, United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Coos County, New Hampshire, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Bear Island as a island on the Umbagog Lake South topographic quadrangle (FIPS 33/007), under Feature ID 865448. Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Bear Island sits at 44.73839° N, 71.05619° W (DMS 44°44′18″ N, 71°03′22″ W).
Other islands in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 8 islands catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Bear Island itself. The ones closest to Bear Island:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Blake Island | Umbagog Lake South | 0.3 mi |
| Metallak Island | Umbagog Lake South | 0.8 mi |
| Big Island | Umbagog Lake South | 0.8 mi |
| Seven Islands | Teakettle Ridge | 6 mi |
| Wentworth Island | Teakettle Ridge | 9.3 mi |
| Evans Island | Shelburne | 23.3 mi |
| Buck Island | Berlin | 24.7 mi |
Features on the USGS Umbagog Lake South Quadrangle
The Umbagog Lake South 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 16 catalogued natural features alongside Bear Island. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Tidswell Point | Capes | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Metallak Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Big Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Tyler Cove | Bays | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Thurston Cove | Bays | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
| Tyler Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Sargent Cove | Bays | Coos County, NH | 2.2 mi |
| Dead Cambridge River | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.6 mi |
| Hampshire Hills | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.7 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing NNW out of Bethel for 26.5 miles (north-northwest) and you reach Bear Island; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 45 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late May through early October, when the water is safe for small-boat access. Being this far north (lat 44.738°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 26.5 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Bear Island track the nearby Blake Island (0.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Bear Island
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Tidswell Point | Capes | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Metallak Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Big Island | Islands | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Tyler Point | Capes | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bear Island located?
Bear Island is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 26.5 miles north-northwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Umbagog Lake South topographic quadrangle.
How far is Bear Island from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 45 minutes, 26.5 miles north-northwest (bearing NNW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Bear Island?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Bear Island as a island, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 865448 on the Umbagog Lake South quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Bear Island?
Late May through early October, when the water is safe for small-boat access.
How many other islands are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 7 other islands in Coos County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q34665539.