The Guest Lodge at Santa Claus Lake

Secluded, log-sided cabin just 40 ft. from pristine lake shore. In addition to modern amenities, comes with lovely stone fireplace, private swimming dock, an enclosed outdoor shower with dressing room, a rowboat, canoe, kayaks and loons to serenade you! The cabin was built in 1970 by Rob's father and grandparents when there was no Lake Drive or Christmas Lane; they brought the materials across the lake by boat and cleared the lot by hand to start. Then they built Lake Drive to make it easier. The mason who built the stone fireplace for them did so by hand, using stones he spent over a year searching for and finding one by one within 20 miles of the Guest Lodge; none were hewn, but used just as they were found. The Lodge was since renovated in 2013 and 2014, adding many improvements while carefully maintaining the cabin's original simplicity and charm. There are families who have been coming to the Guest Lodge since the 70's, with children who now return as adults with their families. The 81-acre lake, known by locals as 'Staples Pond,' was immediately dubbed Santa Claus Lake by Rob's father upon seeing an aerial view - it looks just like Santa with his pack on. Whether your great love is hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, antiquing, fishing, riding an antique steam train, renting a jet ski, or photographing the beautiful mountains, lakes and wildlife, the Franklin County area holds many interesting and fun things to see and do. Although many guests simply prefer to rest and enjoy the mesmerizing peace and quiet, wildlife and fishing or hiking right on this beautiful forest property, and only leave to go to Giffords' for some ice cream. You will have the whole cabin and property to yourself, private access to the lake with swimming dock, and use of the canoe, row boat, kayaks and enclosed outdoor shower. (Note: outdoor shower is in use between Memorial day and Labor Day.) We are only a phone call away if you have any questions or concerns. We also provide you with lots of information about the cabin and the surrounding area before you go, to help you plan your trip...and there is a big looseleaf notebook in the cabin, filled with brochures and info on area attractions. The Lodge is at the end of a dirt road surrounded by woods on an 81-acre lake about 20 minutes drive from the nearest town (which is Farmington, a fun little college town). There are about 9 camps around the lake, but none within sight of the Lodge except for the cabin across the lake. The tap water in the cabin flows from the well and tastes like Poland Spring (which is not that far away). You need a car to access the Guest Lodge and to get places. But you can also enjoy beautiful hikes through the woods right from the property. Nearest train is in Portland (2 hours drive) and nearest airport is Augusta (1 hour), then Portland (1 hour, 50 minutes) and then Bangor (2 hours), Manchester, NH (3 hours, 15 minutes), Boston Logan Airport (3 hours, 30 min.). There's a charcoal grill on the back porch you are welcome to use. There is no cable service in Temple, Maine at all, but we have a DVD/BlueRay player (with some movies) and Apple TV (use your own NetFlix/Apple/Prive accounts) and Televisions in the master bedroom and living room. The television in the living room also has a VHS player and Roku. The bookshelves are filled with books, and some games and puzzles are in the bench under the window in the dining area that you are more than welcome to enjoy. There is a printer/scanner/copier on the desk in the living room. The great room has a big, strong ceiling fan which is wonderful when the temperature rises and keeps the heat circulating when the weather is cold as well. There is central A/C that keeps the temperature down on those rare hot days in Maine, as well as two ceiling fans out on the back porch. And central heating keeps the cabin warm when the weather turns chilly in the Fall. We are a seasonal property - open from Memorial Day through Thanksgiving and closed during the winter months. During the summer we rent only by the week (Saturday to Saturday), and in the fall we have a 3-night minimum.