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Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake

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The entire camp had a design refresh in the summer of 2024.
Exterior
Back of the camp... plenty of parking!
Living room
Living room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View in a map
West Newfield, ME
  • Place, Balch Pond
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Shepherd Island
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Hidden Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Sanford, ME (SFM-Sanford Seacoast Regional)
    ‪40 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

3 Twin Bunk Beds

Bedroom - master

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Dining area

About this property

Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake

If you are looking to escape to a summer getaway... tucked away within the sprawling pine trees and nestled upon a beautiful lake amidst the loons and the flora and fauna that is quintessential Maine ... then look no further. The HI Camp, located on beautiful Balch Lake in the Lakes Region of Southern Maine in the quaint village of West Newfield, is a lovely, newly renovated 1930's two-bedroom cottage. While the camp does not sit directly on the water, a private dock with 30 feet of shoreline is part of the property and is just a few steps away.

The home and grounds are being continually renovated, and while it boasts all of today's modern conveniences, it still maintains the antique charm of a bungalow originally built in the 1930s.

Bring your personal small watercraft to ski, fish, boat, kayak or rowboat to explore the lake (If you don't have your own, there are a single and double kayak and a rowboat for you to use), enjoy loon watching, go swimming, hike up Mt. Chicorua in neighboring New Hampshire, go outlet shopping or take a scenic 30 mile drive to Maine's famous coastline for a lobster dinner. There is much to see and do while vacationing here and it is all nearby. In addition, the Hi Camp is located in a quaint lake community of cottages called Shady Nook, which provides for your unlimited and free use of tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, basketball court and a recreation center that hosts summer events such as community cookouts, parties and celebrations, movie nights, a triathlon in September and even a weekly kid's camp. Or, you could come with a good book, relax in an Adirondack chair and take it all in!

Keywords: Camp, Cottage, Cabin, Lake House, Lakes Region in Southern Maine, New Hampshire
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
We are a kid friendly community!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
Up to one under 40lb - addl $50 fee. Dogs only.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely no smoking is allowed inside the home.
No outdoor fires/fire pits are allowed - however the home comes equipped with a gas grill for outdoor cooking.
Kayaks and boats available - to use, you must bring the signed addendum - located on last page of attached rental agreement - with you upon check in.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 300867
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

West Newfield

West Newfield is home to this cottage. Hansen Pond Preserve and Goat Hill Trail reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Acton Fairgrounds and Heritage Park Railroad Museum. New Hampshire Boat Museum and Stand Up Paddleboard NH are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain climbing and horse riding nearby.
View more Cottages in West NewfieldOpens in a new window
Map
West Newfield, ME

What's nearby

  • Balch Pond - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Shepherd Island - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
  • Hidden Lake - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Old Orchard Beach - 57 min drive - 83.3 km
  • Old Orchard Beach Pier - 62 min drive - 84.7 km

Getting around

  • Sanford, ME (SFM-Sanford Seacoast Regional) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Poor People's Pub - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Blue Bay Seafood & Steaks - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Lino's - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Country Goods & Groceries - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Knotty Pine Grill & Tavern - ‬26 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake?

As of May 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake on May 22, 2026 start from $185, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Quaint Summer Vacation Home on Beautiful Balch Lake located?

Situated in West Newfield, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Balch Pond and Hidden Lake. Shepherd Island and Great East Lake are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Camille-Yvette W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage is charming with lots of antiques and thoughtful touches. Well-stocked kitchen, comfy beds, and drinkable water. Spent a lot of time on the porch with its huge old windows(3 season porch). Very responsive and kind owners, both in person and in communication
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen D.

Quaint, lovely cottage, nice dock, clean water

We loved our stay, and my husband had an opportunity to connect to beloved faces and places. We hope we will be able to return soon. The rooms were clean, neat, and there was everything you need to make the stay a pleasant one. There were several TV with cable, a laundry room, and a dishwasher as well. The hosts can't be beat, and Elaine is a published author, having written an extensive account of the camp.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Thanks you! So glad you enjoyed your stay at the HI Camp! We pride ourselves on making sure that the Camp is equipped with everything you need so you can relax and enjoy! Hope you can come back soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Danna G.

Relaxing Cottage Weekend

What a wonderful cottage for a long weekend get-away. We relaxed, read, kayaked, antiqued, relaxed, walked around the lake, drake coffee and did we say relaxed? The cottage was well stocked with everything we could think of. The decor was charming, the couches so comfortable, and the setting ideal. We sat and read in the sunroom with the vintage windows wide open and turned on the electric fireplace in the morning while we sipped our coffee. Thank you everything was perfect!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
We are thrilled that you all were able to enjoy your weekend and our camp! Thanks for staying with us!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

jesse m.

Cozy lake cabin amongst the pines

From the second we pulled into the Shady Nook community we felt at home. It was a beautiful drive in from the main road with an amazing view of beautiful Balch Lake. The cabin was super cute and cozy and the caretakers felt like family! They took care of our every need and then some! One rainy morning we woke up to find a printed mapquest and a local paper stuck in our door with a note "places to go for a rainy day". Beautiful lake, beautiful house and beautiful people. Is there anything else you could ask for on your vacation?
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Thank you! We love that guests feel so at home and part of the community. This is the "Shady Nook way!"
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

Stellar location. Private. Peaceful. Pristine setting. Friendly community.

My family and I have had the pleasure of renting Hi Camp on and off for a number of years. It is indeed a gem among the pines. Balch Lake is just gorgeous. The location is conveniently located close to the White Mountains and it is not far from the ocean. Hi Camp is well appointed, cozy, clean and has everything you need to enjoy your stay. The owners Kristen, Bob and Elaine are so pleasant and helpful with anything you need. We have many fond memories of this special place. That is why we have returned so often. Shady Nook is such a family friendly community where all feel welcome. Thanks for another great stay!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Barbara S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Lovely trip, make sure it's the right specific location for you

The community is wonderful, we had lots of nice conversations with those who have been there for a long time. Elaine and Bob who welcome you are very nice and approachable. The cottage was incredibly clean. I appreciated Kristen's "openness" to use what we needed and that significant parts of the cottage were not locked off like you sometimes find with a rental. The bunk beds especially were really comfortable. The location of the cottage right by the rec center and two small community beaches is great. The loons on the lake are amazing - you are almost guaranteed to see them (at least from when we went in July 2020). It's also hard to find pet-friendly rentals so I always appreciate that, and the community was very dog-friendly. Another bonus, at least when we were there, is that there were very few bugs. There weren't many kids but that wasn't a problem for our three year old. She had a great time. Two things to think about before you rent. The wifi is pulled from another camp and is not reliable. The cottage is also across the street and blocked by another house from the water. The path down is alongside the property of the other house. While the price Kristen is asking is comparable to others in Shady Nook, just make sure you understand how the property is set up and its location to the lake. The docks in the area are very close to each other as well so if you are looking for a private more remote location this probably isn't for you.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Time Away

Clean, neat, handy, well-equipped with all you need plus the sounds of nature surrounding you. It's a great get-away destination for family time, and the teal-lime green color scheme adds to the charm of this wonderful cabin with a dock across the quiet road to use whenever you want.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Time Among the Pines

We had a fabulous time at the HI cabin. It was wonderful. The colors are bright and the decor welcoming down to the towels and washcloths. All teal and green! Meticulously clean and neat throughout. The sheets (we went for the linens option) were soft and pleasant. We loved the dock and the clean water was refreshing to swim in. You can sit by the water across the way and bring a cup of coffee to enjoy. You can read a book. Our grandaughter was as in love with the place as we were!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ellen D.

We had a great time. Our first family vacation with our adult children and grandchild.

Everything we could possibly need was available. Spacious cottage had space for everyone to gather together or spend time apart.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin J.

A beautiful getaway in the lakes region

The cabin itself is beautiful, well maintained, and easy to get to. The lake is quite, clean, and private access puts it right at your fingertips. There isn’t anything more you need! The caretakers for this place live just up the hill, so if you need anything at all they are right there for you. They were friendly and professional. There is a store just a short drive away that provides most of the things you would need while staying here. There are also several other options if you are willing to drive just a bit further. This was the perfect summer getaway for me and my family. We liked it so much that we will be back in the fall!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hilary B.

Wonderful cabin, had everything you could need! We really enjoyed our stay.

Thanks so much for a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leslie D.

Perfect weekend getaway!

This cabin was perfect. Very clean and beautifully decorated. Owners were very helpful and friendly!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
We are thrilled that you enjoyed it Leslie! Hopefully you can stay again soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kendra T.

Great little camp

Four gal pals stayed here and enjoyed it very much. It is well equipped and had great sleeping options. Even tho the lake is across the street we enjoyed the walk down the hill and fun having munchies and drinks in the sun on the dock. Having the part owners next door was a comfort and they were there to welcome me when I was the first to arrive. Loved the peaceful setting and heard the loons calling in the night. Loved some of the vintage touches and was happy to have wi-fi and tv (we only watched it 2 times to catch the news on Irma). My bed was very comfortable.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

Robert C.

Nice cabin owners very nice had a great week

Enjoyed stay cabin was great owners very friendly and helpful
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 14, 2020
Thank you! We're so glad you enjoyed your stay.
Archival

8/10 Good

Allyson l.

Wonderful weekend

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend at this property.......everything was great and we totally enjoyed ourselves.......we would recommend this property........
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Thomas M.

Doogle Returns!

Even better than last month's stay....perfect cottage, perfect weather, perfect lobster....perfect friends who hosted the visit. I miss the place already and I will be back for multiple weeks again next year!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Thomas M.

"Doogle & Family"

Wonderful return visit...excellent cottage, great location, owners very helpful and friendly. We had a great time enjoying all that Balch has to offer. I am returning later this summer and I plan on being there every year I am able...been coming to Balch for nearly 20 visits since first coming up in 1955...now my children and grand wee ones know what a joy it is, and this cottage is ideal.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
We are thrilled that year over year, you continue to make great memories with your family at this special place!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Cozy retreat nestled among the pines!

Hi Camp is by far our favorite family get away. It is in a quaint and lovely setting. So peaceful and the views of Balch Lake are perfect. The people in this wonderful community are very welcoming and pleasant. Bob and Elaine have always made our stay so comfortable and enjoyable. Hi Camp is a most cozy setting and very inviting. The kitchen is well stocked and the cabin has everything you would need. The real plus is the recreation center right down the road from the camp. Our family loves basketball so it is a treat to have the rec.center so close by. There is of course plenty of opportunity to swim and to enjoy lovely Balch Lake. What can I say - we found a hidden gem among the pines!!! Looking forward to our stay this summer. Dawn C.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 30, 2020
Thank you Dawn! We are so glad you all are continuing to make such fond family memories at Balch Lake and the Hi Camp. See you again this summer!

About the host

Hosted by Kristen Ingmire

Host profile image
The HI Camp is owned by two sets of related families, one from Georgia (Kristen and David) and the other from Connecticut (Bob and Elaine).

Why they chose this property

Four generations of our families have been 'summering' here, and because of that, the Lakes Region holds special significance to us. As we to continued to foster this nostalgia with our expanding families, it became more difficult for all of us to vacation together. So when the HI Camp became available in 2008, we decided to purchase it as a family investment. When not rented, we will continue to bring future generations of families to Balch Lake to experience this special place.

What makes this property unique

The advantages to staying at the HI Camp are that you will enjoy the lake living, your own private dock and a private shoreline ... without having to pay lake-front prices.

Languages:

English
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