Wikipedia lead image (see Wikipedia article for licensing)
Bear River — Streams 5.6 Miles N of Chapman Inn
Oxford County, Maine · USGS Bethel Quadrangle · GNIS 580928
Within Oxford County, Maine, on the USGS Bethel quadrangle, the stream known as Bear River sits 5.6 miles north of Chapman Inn.
Wikidata short description: “tributary of the Androscoggin River in the U.S. state of Maine”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Oxford County, Maine, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Bear River as a stream on the Bethel topographic quadrangle (FIPS 23/017), under Feature ID 580928. Catalogued in GNIS since 09/30/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Bear River sits at 44.48645° N, 70.78535° W (DMS 44°29′11″ N, 70°47′07″ W).
As a linear feature its source lies near 44.59006° N, 70.94646° W (DMS 44°35′24″ N, 70°56′47″ W) — useful for anglers and paddlers tracing the upstream end.
Other streams in Oxford County, Maine
Oxford County, ME contains 296 streams catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Bear River itself. The ones closest to Bear River:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook | Bethel | 0.1 mi |
| Sunday River | Bethel | 2.3 mi |
| Barkers Brook | Bethel | 2.4 mi |
| Meadow Brook | East Andover | 3.1 mi |
| Great Brook | Puzzle Mountain | 3.2 mi |
| Simons Brook | Bethel | 3.4 mi |
| Twitchell Brook | Bethel | 3.9 mi |
| Otter Brook | Bryant Pond | 4 mi |
| Branch Brook | Puzzle Mountain | 4.3 mi |
| Pond Stream | Bryant Pond | 4.6 mi |
Features on the USGS Bethel Quadrangle
The Bethel 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 24 catalogued natural features alongside Bear River. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.1 mi |
| Mount Will | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Swan Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
| Sunday River | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.3 mi |
| Barkers Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 2.4 mi |
| Farwell Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.8 mi |
| Simons Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 3.4 mi |
| Locke Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 3.5 mi |
| Twitchell Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 3.9 mi |
| Barker Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 4.5 mi |
Historical record
The Bear River is a 14.6-mile-long (23.5 km) tributary of the Androscoggin River in the U.S. state of Maine. It rises in Grafton Notch at the northeastern end of the Mahoosuc Range and flows southeast, joining the Androscoggin in the town of Newry. Maine Route 26 follows the entire course of the river. Read the full Wikipedia entry →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing N out of Bethel for 5.6 miles (north) and you reach Bear River; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 10 minutes.
Best time to visit
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible. At this latitude (44.486°), the shoulder seasons are workable — April and November can be comfortable on mild years. The 5.6-mile drive from Chapman Inn makes it practical for a half-day outing — you can check conditions in the morning and still turn back if the weather closes in. Conditions at Bear River track the nearby Stony Brook stream (essentially adjacent) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Bear River
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stony Brook | Streams | Oxford County, ME | 0.1 mi |
| Mount Will | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.4 mi |
| Bean Mountain | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 1.6 mi |
| Jims Pond | Lakes | Oxford County, ME | 2 mi |
| Swan Hill | Summits | Oxford County, ME | 2.2 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Bear River located?
Bear River is in Oxford County, Maine, approximately 5.6 miles north of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Bethel topographic quadrangle.
How far is Bear River from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 10 minutes, 5.6 miles north (bearing N) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Bear River?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Bear River as a stream, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 580928 on the Bethel quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Bear River?
Best observed in late spring and early summer when flow is strong and banks are visible.
How many other streams are in Oxford County, Maine?
GNIS lists 295 other streams in Oxford County, Maine.
Wikidata: Q4876536.