Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
The Sinkhole — Lakes 37.9 Miles SE of Chapman Inn
Cumberland County, Maine · USGS Gray Quadrangle · GNIS 576924
37.9 miles southeast of Chapman Inn, on the USGS Gray topographic quadrangle, The Sinkhole is a lake recorded in Cumberland County, Maine by the federal Geographic Names Information System.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Gray 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places The Sinkhole in Cumberland County, Maine (FIPS 23/005), classified as a lake in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 576924). Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 05/15/2018.
Coordinates & physical setting
The Sinkhole sits at 43.95958° N, 70.34281° W (DMS 43°57′34″ N, 70°20′34″ W).
Other lakes in Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County, ME contains 47 lakes catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting The Sinkhole itself. The ones closest to The Sinkhole:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sabbathday Pond | Gray | 1.3 mi |
| Notched Pond | Raymond | 1.8 mi |
| Chandler Mill Pond | Gray | 2.1 mi |
| Crystal Lake | Gray | 2.2 mi |
| Raymond Pond | Raymond | 4.3 mi |
| Farwell Bog | Raymond | 4.3 mi |
| Crescent Lake | Raymond | 5.8 mi |
| Upper Bay | Raymond | 6.5 mi |
| Nubble Pond | Raymond | 6.6 mi |
| Allen Bog | North Windham | 6.7 mi |
Features on the USGS Gray Quadrangle
The Gray 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 25 catalogued natural features alongside The Sinkhole. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snows Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 0.7 mi |
| Sabbathday Pond | Lakes | Cumberland County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Westcott Brook | Streams | Cumberland County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Mosquito Brook | Streams | Cumberland County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Little Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Brandy Bog | Swamps | Cumberland County, ME | 1.7 mi |
| Chandler Mill Pond | Lakes | Cumberland County, ME | 2.1 mi |
| Crystal Lake | Lakes | Cumberland County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Pumpkin Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| Gloucester Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 2.5 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 37.9 miles southeast (bearing SE) of The Sinkhole. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 65 minutes — comfortably inside a half-day outing window after breakfast.
Best time to visit
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing. At this latitude (43.960°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. At 37.9 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at The Sinkhole track the nearby Snows Hill summit (0.7 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to The Sinkhole
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snows Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 0.7 mi |
| Sabbathday Pond | Lakes | Cumberland County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Westcott Brook | Streams | Cumberland County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Mosquito Brook | Streams | Cumberland County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Little Hill | Summits | Cumberland County, ME | 1.6 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is The Sinkhole located?
The Sinkhole is in Cumberland County, Maine, approximately 37.9 miles southeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Gray topographic quadrangle.
How far is The Sinkhole from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 65 minutes, 37.9 miles southeast (bearing SE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is The Sinkhole?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies The Sinkhole as a lake, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 576924 on the Gray quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit The Sinkhole?
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing.
How many other lakes are in Cumberland County, Maine?
GNIS lists 46 other lakes in Cumberland County, Maine.