Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Varnum Pond — Lakes 31.9 Miles ENE of Chapman Inn
Franklin County, Maine · USGS Farmington Quadrangle · GNIS 577700
Within Franklin County, Maine, on the USGS Farmington quadrangle, the lake known as Varnum Pond sits 31.9 miles east-northeast of Chapman Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Franklin County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Varnum Pond as a lake on the Farmington topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/007), under Feature ID 577700. Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 05/12/2018.
Coordinates & physical setting
Varnum Pond sits at 44.65490° N, 70.24559° W (DMS 44°39′18″ N, 70°14′44″ W).
Other lakes in Franklin County, Maine
Franklin County, ME contains 98 lakes catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Varnum Pond itself. The ones closest to Varnum Pond:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Drury Pond | Farmington | 3.4 mi |
| Mud Pond | Farmington | 3.9 mi |
| Wilson Pond | East Dixfield | 4 mi |
| Ballard Pond | Farmington | 4.5 mi |
| Holman Pond | Mount Blue | 4.5 mi |
| Pease Pond | Wilton | 5.1 mi |
| Hills Pond | Mount Blue | 5.3 mi |
| Grants Pond | Mount Blue | 5.4 mi |
| Jessie Pond | Mount Blue | 6.4 mi |
| Locke Pond | Farmington Falls | 8.1 mi |
Features on the USGS Farmington Quadrangle
The Farmington 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 20 catalogued natural features alongside Varnum Pond. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Henry Mitchell Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Gus Mitchell Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 2.8 mi |
| Drury Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 3.4 mi |
| Mud Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 3.9 mi |
| Temple Stream Reservoir | Reservoirs | Franklin County, ME | 3.9 mi |
| Porter Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 4 mi |
| Ballard Pond | Lakes | Franklin County, ME | 4.5 mi |
| Staples Pond | Reservoirs | Franklin County, ME | 4.6 mi |
| Beaver Brook | Streams | Franklin County, ME | 4.7 mi |
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing ENE out of Bethel for 31.9 miles (east-northeast) and you reach Varnum Pond; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 55 minutes.
Best time to visit
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing. Being this far north (lat 44.655°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 31.9 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Varnum Pond track the nearby Varnum Mountain summit (1.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Varnum Pond
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varnum Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 1.3 mi |
| Dean Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 1.9 mi |
| Derby Mountain | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2 mi |
| Old Bluff | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2 mi |
| Voter Hill | Summits | Franklin County, ME | 2.4 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Varnum Pond located?
Varnum Pond is in Franklin County, Maine, approximately 31.9 miles east-northeast of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Farmington topographic quadrangle.
How far is Varnum Pond from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 55 minutes, 31.9 miles east-northeast (bearing ENE) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Varnum Pond?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Varnum Pond as a lake, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 577700 on the Farmington quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Varnum Pond?
June through September for paddling and swimming; January through March for ice fishing.
How many other lakes are in Franklin County, Maine?
GNIS lists 97 other lakes in Franklin County, Maine.