FAQ

What seasons is the Guest Lodge open?

We are open from April (mud season permitting) through the week after Thanksgiving. We are generally closed for winter, though on occasion we do arrange special winter stays — ask us.

Is there a minimum length of stay?

From Memorial Day through Labor Day we rent by the week, Saturday to Saturday. In spring and fall, shorter stays are welcome.

How do I check accurate availability?

The calendar on our Airbnb listing always shows accurate, up-to-the-minute availability. You can book there or on Vrbo — and if you have questions about dates, reach out any time.

How many people can stay at the Lodge?

The Lodge sleeps up to six in the main house: a queen bedroom, a second bedroom with two singles, and a sofa bed. Maximum overnight occupancy is six.

What boats are available to guests?

Guests have private use of our swimming dock, swim raft, and sandy beach, plus seven kayaks (four adult, three kids), a rowboat, and the original 1960s Grumman canoe. Life preservers are provided. No motors are allowed on the lake. See them all on our Pictures page.

Does the Lodge have WiFi?

Yes — fully symmetrical gigabit fiber internet. Use any network beginning with "GuestLodge"; the password is posted inside the Lodge.

Is there a TV?

Two: a 52-inch TV in the living room and a 40-inch TV in the master bedroom, each with Apple TV, Roku, and a DVD/Blu-ray player, plus a movie collection. There is no cable — streaming works beautifully on the fiber connection.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes — housebroken, well-behaved dogs are welcome, with a nominal extra charge that helps cover the additional cleaning. Please keep dogs off the beds and furniture — full details on our Rules & Information page. We’re sorry, but cats cannot stay at the Lodge: one of the owners is highly allergic.

Can I bring ATVs, quads, or side-by-sides?

Absolutely. The town of Temple allows ATVs on its public roads, so you can ride straight from the Lodge onto the Temple Trail Riders club trails, which connect to Maine's statewide ATV network. There is trailer parking at the top of the hill, and the property has its own trail network for riding and hiking. Machines must be Maine-registered, and riders under 18 must wear helmets. Full riding guidelines are on our Rules & Information page.

Is the Lodge accessible for older guests?

Getting to the water is easy: four-foot-wide wooden steps run from the Lodge all the way down to the water's edge, with a walkway to the outdoor shower — gentle going for every generation.

When do door codes work?

Your door code begins working at 4:00 PM on arrival day and stops working at 10:00 AM on your checkout date, so please be fully out by 10:00 AM. More arrival details are on our Rules & Information page.

Is there a dishwasher or laundry?

There is no dishwasher — the full kitchen has a gas range, oven, refrigerator, microwave, and all the cookware and dishware you need. There is no washer or dryer at the Lodge, but Depot Laundry in nearby Farmington offers both wash-and-fold and self-service and is our recommended option.

Can I fish on Santa Claus Lake?

Yes — we keep the lake stocked with brown trout, and it also holds pickerel (a smaller cousin of the northern pike), horned pout (brown bullhead — a small catfish), and smelt. Fishing requires a Maine state license — buy one online in minutes at Maine IF&W.

What are the closest airports?

The closest airports with commercial service are Augusta, ME (45 miles, about 45 minutes), Portland, ME (90 miles, about 1 hour 45 minutes), Bangor, ME (105 miles, about 2 hours), Portsmouth, NH (145 miles, about 2 hours 10 minutes), Manchester, NH (165 miles, about 2 hours 40 minutes), and Boston Logan (195 miles, about 3 hours). For pilots, nearby general aviation fields include Lindbergh Airport in Avon (a grass strip, 20 miles, about 30 minutes), Central Maine Regional in Norridgewock (30 miles, about 40 minutes), Steven A. Bean Municipal in Rangeley (45 miles, about 1 hour), and Auburn-Lewiston Municipal (45 miles, about 1 hour). The Lodge is in Temple, Maine, about ten minutes from Farmington in the western mountains — see the map on our homepage.

What is there to do in the area?

A great deal — waterfalls like Smalls Falls and Angel Falls, the Height of Land scenic loop, Mt. Blue State Park and Tumbledown Mountain, the Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes narrow-gauge steam railroad, ATV and snowmobile trails from the Lodge itself, gold panning at Coos Canyon, boat rentals on Rangeley Lake, championship golf (nine courses within about an hour or so, from Belgrade Lakes to Sugarloaf), registered Maine fishing and hunting guides, and excellent restaurants from Farmington to Rangeley. See our Things to Do and Places to Eat pages for the family's full guide.

Are there churches nearby?

Yes — a rich variety within 20 to 60 minutes, from Baptist and Bible churches to Catholic parishes (including a periodic Traditional Latin Mass in Augusta). Our own recommendation is Calvary Hill Baptist Church in the Wilton/Jay area, about 20 minutes away — Pastor Barry is terrific. See the full list with addresses and phone numbers on our Things to Do page, and verify service times before you go.

Is the lake really shaped like Santa Claus?

It really is. Seen from the air, the lake — legally named Staples Pond — looks like Santa mid-stride with a pack on his back. Check the satellite view on any map app and you'll see him — and see the chart and the whole story on our homepage.