Are there any other public areas
 

We have been to Stonedam Island a few times for lunch and to walk around a little, but is that the only island on the lake that has an area that's open to the public? I would love to go exploring on Rattlesnake or someplace else that isn't privatly owned. Do any other places exsist? :confused:

Bear Island
 

See the attached link. The trail from dock parking shown on the map in Deep Cove on the south side of the island near Mark Island leads to St. Johns on the Lake, a fieldstone church that has a converted fire tower for its spire. There trails from there that cover much of the interior of the eastern half of the island.

http://stjohnsonthelake.com/locate.html

Ragged Island
 

You can arrange to visit Ragged island by appointment through the Squam Lakes Science Center.

Bear Island chapel
 

There is a chapel on Bear Island that I've been told is open to the public for summer services. Send a 'private message' to "Bear Island Girl," she may be willing to provide you with more information.

There are also trails between the various landings but I'm pretty certain they are all on private property and may be restricted to islanders. Never hurts to ask though.

Good luck!

Bear Island Access
 

The interior is conservation land, and while not public property, per se, has never been viewed by Bear Islanders as theirs' exclusively. It's a big island! You'll have no problems hiking those trails. The church dock in Deep Cove is available to the public.

Once you hike the hill up from the docks to the chapel, you can take either of two trails (to the right or left of the chapel). It's really a large loop. If you start down the left side, eventually there is a fork in the trail. Stay to the right. You'll eventually reach the other (north side) of the island. I little tricky to find the trail back up the other side. If you reach the power lines, you've gone to far! Just reverse course and look for the split in the trail heading back.

Nice walk -- especially on a crisp fall day!!

5 Mile Island is open to the public. There is no dock. A great destination for kayaks and canoes.


http://www.lrct.org/public-access.html

BTW: Many of the beautiful photos on this website (to which Bear Islander has just directed us) are taken by our photopost friend dcr. Doesn't he do a great job? (.....but I digress).

Mink Islander
Where is Deep Cove. We are staying at Oliver Lodge this month, and I would love to bring the family for a hike on Bear Island. I'm familiar with the area, but don't know just where Deep Cove is located. Any help would be appreciated.

Rinkerfam

Deep Cove is at the southern end of Bear, a little west of Mark Island. On the Bizer chart it is identified by "Pier for St John's Church".

If you would like to walk the trails on the north end of Bear you can tie up at my dock. I am across from Pine, not far from Oliver Lodge. Send me a PM if you're interested.

Where do you access Stonedam Island from?

There is a small (two boat) dock in a cove on the northeast of the island. If you go by flashing light 80 towards Sally's gut it's on your left just before the last two back markers. It's deep water all the way in but the docks are short and shallow.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the directions. I found it. Decided to hike up to St. John's first. Will try Stonedam next week. It was a nice walk up to St. John's. Unfortunately, I could only see it from the outside. I was disappointed to see blue spay grafitti up on the tower and on one of the trees. It was a really neat place.