Our location is hard to beat - world-class fishing out front, paddling or floating around the corner, the White Mountain National Forest next door, alpine and nordic skiing minutes away, miles of trails for bikes, snowmobiles, ATVs.... tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you find it nearby, the options are endless!
Winter
Amazing downhill skiing is close by - Sunday River and Mt. Abram are about 15 minutes away, and Wildcat is about 20 minutes in the other direction. Or give alpine touring (aka ‘uphill’) skiing a try by joining a program hosted by Inclusive Ski Touring - first timers always welcome!
For you nordic types, Bethel Village Trails (10 miles), Carters XC Ski Center (10 miles) and Great Glen Trails (20 miles) offer extensive networks of groomed trails, or if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Granite Backcountry Alliance has cut and maintains glades nearby in Gorham, Randolph, and Chatham, with more to come!
Fat biking (including bike rentals) is also available at Carters XC Ski Center and Bethel Village Trails, or bring your own bike and head up the Notch road, which is closed off for the winter about 1.5 miles past the Lodge.
Ice fishing is an option at Songo Pond in Bethel (rte 5) or one of the many ponds in Greenwood (rte 26).
If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, snowmobile trails circle the property, with easy access by the railroad bridge across Route 2 - head north to Canada, south to Fryeburg, just out the door.
But our favorite way to enjoy the Notch in the winter is the easiest - snowshoe out the door or up one of the trails around the corner - just wear your orange if you are hitting the woods!
Spring
Sometimes spring takes its own sweet time coming to the Notch, but once the snow melts and the river ice-out is complete, it’s go time.
The newly hatching insects are not always welcome around the campfire, but the local fly fishing community is ready to celebrate and claim their space in the Wild River (across the road) or float their boat in the Androscoggin (boat ramp around the corner), at Songo Pond in Bethel (rte 5), or in one of the many ponds in Greenwood (rte 26). Just don’t forget to pick up your fishing license first!
Spring is a great time to get back out in the woods. Hikes like the nearby Roost trail, Mt. Crag or any of the family-friendly adventures on the Shelburne Trails Club network are bound to please even the most reluctant recreationists.
The Mahoosuc Land Trust also maintains trails in and around Bethel, many of which reward hikers with spectacular views after short- but blood-pumping ascents.
Rainy day? Don’t despair, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in Bethel is a great place to while away a few hours learning about the mining history and geological features unique to the area - or just checking out the gorgeous tourmaline jewelry and the largest display of lunar and Martian meteorites on Earth!
Summer
When the weather gets steamy, we like to keep our hikes local and head to East Royce or Blueberry Mountain on the other end of the Notch. And of course, we always follow up a sweaty hike with a swim or tube in the Wild River, just across the road.
Speaking of water, summer is a great time to paddle a section or two of the Androscoggin River or better yet, visit one of the many nearby waterfalls or swimming holes. Whether you’re jumping cliffs at Frenchman’s Hole or stopping for blueberries on the way to Rattlesnake Pool, you’re bound to cool off and have a ton of fun.
The dry summer months are also a great time of year to mountain bike the established trail system at Bethel Village Trails (rentals available behind Bethel Inn) or skip the uphills with lift-serviced riding at Mt. Abram just 15 miles up the road (rentals available on-site).
If all that activity sounds too exhausting, you can always look forward to a scenic drive up the Mount Washington Auto Road, only 20 minutes away. Or if you prefer your driving to be a little more ‘down and dirty’, make sure to check out the Jericho ATV Festival in August.
And on the off-chance you need a break from building campfires and cooking on the grills at the Lodge, or forget that all-important bathing suit or fishing tackle, the Lodge is just minutes away from the great restaurants and shops in Bethel, Maine and Gorham, New Hampshire!
Fall
In our humble opinion, fall is the BEST season to be in Evans Notch!
September is the perfect month to go big or go home with an epic hike - we have AMC White Mountain, Shelburne Trail Club, and Randolph Mountain Club maps and guidebooks for your perusing pleasure in the Lodge, or just head down the Notch road with some sturdy boots and snacks and take on the epic Baldface Circle loop - a long, exposed ridgeline with 360 degree views rivaling the famous Franconia Ridge, but without the crowds.
If you’d rather pedal your miles, the Cross NH Adventure Trail begins in Bethel and crosses Gilead into NH, extending to the Presidential Rail Trail and further west to the Vermont border.
And don’t forget to check out the Coos Cycling Club trail system in nearby Gorham, New Hampshire for extensive mountain biking terrain and trails for all abilities.
Ready to party? Racers might be interested in the annual Ridge To The River trail run in September, while the rest of us will enjoy the many fall festivals and events hosted in Bethel and Gorham.
It’s not too late to get that last fishing trip in and float the Andro before the snow flies!