Lake Champlain Land Trust

The Lake Champlain Land Trust is a member-supported land conservation organization. Since 1978, we have protected the lakeshore, islands, wetlands, water quality and natural areas of Lake Champlain.

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Derway Cove

Walkers, paddlers, anglers, and birders will find plenty of wildlife and beautiful scenery at Derway Cove!

From the parking area, it’s just a short walk to reach the Cove and Winooski River shoreline. Follow the dirt road to the gate, walk around it, and continue heading down the road toward the River. You will reach a kiosk describing the unique history and ecology of the property. From here, you can walk the short riverfront path, try your luck at fishing, or just enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Looking to Launch Your Cartop Boat? Paddlers can park at the parking area and carry or pull their canoe or kayak approximately 500 feet from the gate to the launch site. All are welcome to use the canoe carts stored at the gate. (Be sure to check the Current Lake Temperature before heading out.) Email us at for more information.

Directions

From Points South or East: Take Interstate 89 to Exit 14W (US-2 W toward Burlington).  Follow US-2 / Main Street to Battery Street.  Follow Battery Street to North Avenue. Continue on North Avenue for 4 miles. The Derway Cove / Derway Island Natural Area parking area sign will be on your right.

From the North: Take Interstate 89 to Exit 17. Follow Route 2 South to Route 127. Follow Route 127 through Malletts Bay towards Burlington’s New North End.  Take a right onto Plattsburgh Avenue, then another right onto North Avenue. Continue on North Avenue for 1.2 miles. The Derway Cove / Derway Island Natural Area parking area sign will be on your right.

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Project History

The Derway Cove project started in late 2016 when the previous owner, the Bowler family, who operated River’s End Marina on the site for over 40 years, agreed to give the Winooski Valley Park District (WVPD) and the Lake Champlain Land Trust the opportunity to fundraise and acquire the property for public use.

In September 2018, the Bowler family sold the property to the WVPD with the support of the Lake Champlain Land Trust, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and the Burlington Conservation Legacy Program.

All buildings and infrastructure on the site were removed and remediated in 2019 thanks to funding from FEMA that was facilitated by the State of Vermont DPS Division of Emergency Management. Thanks to a grant from the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, the site has now been transformed to an ecologically-sensitive public access area. (View a video of the demolition and before and after images.)

The Lake Champlain Land Trust will continue to work with the WVPD to renaturalize key portions of the site to protect rare species, improve water quality, and absorb floodwaters.

Partners

Derway Cove was conserved in partnership with the Winooski Valley Park District, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, and the Lake Champlain Land Trust. Government agencies and organizations providing critical support included the Burlington Conservation Legacy Program, FEMA, the State of Vermont Division of Public Safety Emergency Management Division, and the Lake Champlain and Tributaries Restoration Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation.

(Before you visit, be sure to sign up for our Lake Champlain Land Trust E-newsletter!)

(802) 862-4150