French Island — Islands 18.7 Miles NNE of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Ellis Pond Quadrangle · GNIS 566570
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Ellis Pond quadrangle, the island known as French Island sits 18.7 miles north-northeast of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “island in Oxford County, Maine, United States of America”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists French Island as a island on the Ellis Pond topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 566570. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
French Island sits at 44.66117° N, 70.66951° W (DMS 44°39′40″ N, 70°40′10″ W).
Other islands in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 44 islands catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting French Island itself. The ones closest to French Island:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Wheeler Island | Rumford | 11.3 mi |
| Burke Island | Dixfield | 12.5 mi |
| Spirt Island | Middle Dam | 12.7 mi |
| Hardscrabble Island | Middle Dam | 13.2 mi |
| Pine Island | Metallak Mountain | 14.8 mi |
| Students Island | Oquossoc | 17.4 mi |
| Green Island | Dixfield | 17.6 mi |
| Dollar Island | Oquossoc | 17.6 mi |
| Hastings Island | Bethel | 17.9 mi |
| Bond Island | Bethel | 18.3 mi |
Features on the USGS Ellis Pond Quadrangle
The Ellis Pond 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 24 catalogued natural features alongside French Island. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Meadow Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Hedgehog Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Flathead Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Ellis Falls | Waterfalls | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Mine Notch | Gaps | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Black Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| York Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Record Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.6 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing NNE out of Bethel for 18.7 miles (north-northeast) and you reach French Island; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 32 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late May through early October, when the water is safe for small-boat access. At this latitude (44.661°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 18.7 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at French Island track the nearby Ellis Pond lake (0.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to French Island
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 0.3 mi |
| Meadow Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Hedgehog Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.8 mi |
| Flathead Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Ellis Falls | Waterfalls | Oxford County, ME | 2.1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is French Island located?
French Island is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 18.7 miles north-northeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Ellis Pond topographic quadrangle.
How far is French Island from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 32 minutes, 18.7 miles north-northeast (bearing NNE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is French Island?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies French Island as a island, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 566570 on the Ellis Pond quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit French 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: Q49638511.