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Birch Island — Islands 12.5 Miles SSW of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Center Lovell Quadrangle · GNIS 580937
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Center Lovell quadrangle, the island known as Birch Island sits 12.5 miles south-southwest of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Birch Island as a island on the Center Lovell topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 580937. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Birch Island sits at 44.24062° N, 70.89479° W (DMS 44°14′26″ N, 70°53′41″ W).
Other islands in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 44 islands catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Birch Island itself. The ones closest to Birch Island:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sheep Island | Center Lovell | 0.2 mi |
| Rattlesnake Island | Center Lovell | 0.5 mi |
| Timber Island | Center Lovell | 3.8 mi |
| Loon Island | Fryeburg | 11.2 mi |
| Philbrook Island | Gilead | 11.4 mi |
| Peabody Island | Gilead | 11.5 mi |
| Lary Island | Gilead | 12 mi |
| Bond Island | Bethel | 12.8 mi |
| Hastings Island | Bethel | 13.2 mi |
| Loon Island | Fryeburg | 15.9 mi |
Features on the USGS Center Lovell Quadrangle
The Center Lovell 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 65 catalogued natural features alongside Birch Island. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep Island | Islands | Oxford County, ME | 0.2 mi |
| Great Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.2 mi |
| Pine Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Upper Bay | Bays | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| Cold Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.5 mi |
| Rattlesnake Island | Islands | Oxford County, ME | 0.5 mi |
| Coffin Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.6 mi |
| Gammon Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Bryant Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1 mi |
| Mud Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing SSW out of Bethel for 12.5 miles (south-southwest) and you reach Birch Island; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 21 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late May through early October, when the water is safe for small-boat access. At this latitude (44.241°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 12.5 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Birch Island track the nearby Sheep Island (0.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Birch Island
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheep Island | Islands | Oxford County, ME | 0.2 mi |
| Great Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.2 mi |
| Pine Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Upper Bay | Bays | Oxford County, ME | 0.4 mi |
| Cold Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.5 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Birch Island located?
Birch Island is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 12.5 miles south-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Center Lovell topographic quadrangle.
How far is Birch Island from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 21 minutes, 12.5 miles south-southwest (bearing SSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Birch Island?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Birch Island as a island, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 580937 on the Center Lovell quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Birch Island?
Late May through early October, when the water is safe for small-boat access.
How many other islands are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 43 other islands in Oxford County, Maine.
Wikidata: Q34674013.