Shin Pond Village

Shin Pond Village is a large campground that is located in Mount Chase, Maine. Mount Chase has a deep history of logging and timber. Mount Chase is known for the vast recreational activities that can be enjoyed while staying on the property. Shin Pond Village can be found near Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. The area is known for being a hot spot for tourism while still maintaining a small-town feel. Shin Pond Village is surrounded by a vast amount of forest lands, mountains, and a lake.

About

Shin Pond Village is located on 100 acres of land and is surrounded by noteworthy mountains, dense forests, and several fishable ponds and lakes. There are two waterfront homes, three guest suites, eight housekeeping cottages, 20 water/electric RV sites, and 14 campsites, making a grand total of 47 possible areas for guests to stay. The cabins can be visited at any time of the year, and the campsites are open during the seasonal months of spring, summer, and early fall. RV sites are spacious enough to give guests the ability to "stretch out" during their stay. Every RV site comes equipped with a fire pit, picnic table, as well as water and electric hook-ups.

There is a general store on the property for guests with essential items that guests may need, including souvenirs and supplies that guests may have accidentally left at home. Additionally, there is a restaurant on the site where guests can enjoy burgers and fries, and in the summer, guests have the option of purchasing ice creams and cold treats. Other property-wide amenities include public restrooms and showers, as well as coin-operated laundry facilities. The property gives guests the opportunity to rent canoes, kayaks, ATVs, side-by-sides, paddleboards, and snowmobiles.

A popular time to visit Shin Pond Village is during the winter season because of the great snowmobiling opportunities. Shin Pond Village is also a popular place for family reunions, company gatherings, weddings, or other gatherings. For guests' safety, children need to be with an adult at all times. Pets are welcome with a $15 per night fee, with a maximum of 3 per lodging.

Culture

The culture of the Shin Pond Village is one where guests can come to relax and enjoy time to themselves. Shin Pond offers a wide variety of experiences for those looking to spend their time in relaxation or shift their attention to more adventurous endeavors. Shin Pond Village is more specifically designed for those who love to spend their time outdoors. Guests often come to enjoy the ATV trails, fishing possibilities, canoeing, and kayaking.

Overall, a majority of guests have left good reviews, and the owner, as well as the employees of Shin Pond Village, are proud of how many of their guests are returning guests. Guests have commented on the quality of the staff, the convenience of having a restaurant and store on the property, and the cleanliness and maintenance of the property. One guest recently said this about their stay: "Quiet very clean. It has everything you could need. A store, rentals, restaurant and much more." Shin Pond Village is a very family-oriented place where families can be active and enjoy their time together.

Something that makes Shin Pond Village unique is its central location between two ponds. The main campgrounds are nestled in between Lower Shin Pond and Upper Shin Pond. It also offers quick access to some very well-known monuments like Baxter State Park and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. There are many trails all around the property, including a path to hike Mt. Chase, one to get to Shin Brook Falls, and a dirt road that takes visitors to the Sawtelle Falls and Sawtell Deadwater. Additionally, at Shin Pond Village the staff aims to provide guests a place to enjoy recreational activities. The staff has a variety of activities they recommend to guests to help them to be satisfied with their experience. There are a fair amount of hikes, waterfalls, and lakes that guests can utilize to enjoy nature.

History

Craig purchased 40 acres of land in 1981 from local bank foreclosure, initially intending to build an apartment with laundry facilities, a store, and public showers. Since the purchase, Craig and his brother, Leslie, began working together on developing the property to their design. A little under a year later, in 1982, Craig started to build the main campground area. Craig's parents ended up taking part in the purchase of the property, and Craig and his wife continued to build the campground with their support.

Blaine, who is the son of Craig and Terry, has taken over the duty of maintaining the campgrounds and become a manager at Shin Pond Village. Since then, Craig and Terry have, for the most part, retired, but they still happily support Blaine as he runs the campgrounds.