Scotch Lake
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Quick Facts
| Features | lake, wetlands |
| Access | roadside |
| Route Difficulty | easy |
| Water Body Type | lake |
| Current Type | none |
| Route Type | loop |
| Route Distance | 4 km return |
| Portage Distance | none |
| Estimated Time | 2 hours return |
| Elevation Change | none |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Cell Reception | medium |
| Fees | none |
Description
Note: Weather conditions can drastically vary the speed and difficulty of your trip. Please plan accordingly.
I parked along the road and used the small gravel boat launch to access the water. I watched some birds flying around in the cattails before launching. I turned right and paddled along the shore passing a camp. The sun was getting low in the sky and it looked like it was going to be an interesting sunset.
A beaver showed up to meet me and lead me around the shore. It felt like he was my tour guide. We passed a Great Blue Heron and watched the Red-winged blackbirds in the wetland near the southwest corner of the lake. At this point I lost my tour guide. He stayed behind in the wetland. A bald eagle landed in one of the tall white pine trees along the back side of the lake. From here I could hear noisy geese. I came around the turn and found a bunch hanging out on a camp lawn. Some of them took off. Their loud honks echoed across the quiet lake.
I was only about a third of the way around the lake when the sun started to set. I could tell by the clouds that it was going to be a good one. I positioned myself out in the lake and got the drone ready. I watched two guys launch a canoe and do some fishing down along shore. I could almost make out their conversation that travelled well still air.
The water was like glass around me. As the sun sunk below the horizon, the bottoms of the clouds started to light up. Oranges, pinks, purples. I started to get that peaceful feeling of awe. This is what I came for. I sat there and just took it all in. It was so quiet I could hear my own breathing.
After about 20 minutes the colors faded and it was time to head back to the boat launch. I would have to return another day and explore the wetland near the outlet stream at the far end of the lake.
Map
Directions
There are two ways to get to Scotch Lake. You can access it from Route 615 in Mactaquac or from Route 105 in Bear Island.
Turn onto Route 615 beside the Ultramar gas station in Mactaquac. After 2.5 kilometres, turn left onto the Scotch Lake Road. Drive for 7.9 kilometres. The road will become gravel and you will come to a sharp turn to the left. After another 750 metres you will see the lake on your left and the gravel boat launch. Park along the road.
In Bear Island, turn onto the Scotch Lake Road. This is a gravel road that climbs a hill beside a farm. At the top of the hill the road turns to the right a bit and crosses a cement bridge above Howland Falls. After the falls the road gets rougher. After 3.3 kilometres you will come to a junction with the Old Springfield Road. Turn left onto the Old Springfield Road and soon after that turn right. Drive for another kilometre and you will see the lake and the gravel boat launch on the right. Park along the road.
Fun Fact: on my first visit to this boat launch there was a massive flock of sparrows landing on the powerlines by the boat launch. They were fascinating to watch flying around. You can find photos from that visit below.
Other Routes nearby
Nearby Hiking Trail
Route Last Paddled: May 27, 2025.
Page Last Updated: February 14, 2026.