Valcour Island is a 968-acre island in Lake Champlain in Clinton County, NY. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh. It is within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park and on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the longest in-land water trail in the nation.
The two mile-long and one mile-wide island is rich in history ranging from before European settlement through recent times, including the periods of exploration and settlement, the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
The main action during the 1776 Battle of Valcour Bay, one of the first naval battles of the American Revolutionary War, and one of the first fought by the Continental Navy, took place in the narrow strait between the New York mainland and the island.
Bluff Point Lighthouse is located on the island’s western shore and the Seton House is located on its southwestern shore. The island has hiking trails, 29 designated primitive tent sites, picnic areas and beaches.
A multiyear collaboration between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) is working to rehabilitate outdoor recreation infrastructure on Valcour Island.
The NFCT’s roving stewardship crew returned to Valcour Island in June for year four of the ongoing project. The crew consists of NFCT Assistant Trail Director Alex Delhagan and three seasonal interns — Nathan Lennard, Isla Chadsey and Lillian Cadwell. The NFCT also received support from DEC staff and 11 volunteers.
This year’s projects were funded with support from a Lake Champlain Basin Program Education and Outreach grant as well as revenue generated by the NFCT’s Adirondack Race Series, which includes the ‘Round the Mountain Canoe & Kayak Race, the Long Lake Long Boat Regatta and the Adirondack Canoe Classic, more commonly known as the 90-Miler.
“Our appreciation for Valcour Island grows each year we return,” Delhagen said. “Valcour is a bridge between past and present: it’s a recreation area that allows us to connect with history and enjoy a wild place that’s easily accessible, right off the coast of the Plattsburgh and Peru communities. We’re thrilled to see more and more people enjoying the paddling, hiking, fishing and camping opportunities Valcour provides in abundance.”
To date, the focus of the collaboration has been the rehabilitation of old camping, hiking and paddling infrastructure. Previous work included replacing old privies; rebuilding campfire pits, bog bridging, and pathways from shoreline to campsites; and general maintenance on campsites.
This year’s work saw crews rebuild 150 feet of boardwalk on the Cross Island Trail. The NFCT also repurposed slate native to the island to rebuild four concrete fireplaces. Trash and debris was also collected and transported off the island to be disposed of properly.
As the only dedicated water trail crew in the Northeast, the NFCT’s stewardship crew specializes in projects at the interface of land and water, including campsites, portage trails and access points. The NFCT’s roving crew works in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine throughout the paddling season; a second crew is based in the Allagash.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, all 29 designated primitive campsites on the Island are restricted to camping by permit only, which are available on a first come – first served basis obtainable at the campsite. Sites are marked with a yellow “Camp Here” disc and a site number.
Campers can set up at any vacant, designated campsite and the DEC Valcour Island caretaker will visit your campsite to provide a permit. Give yourself plenty of time for a return trip as it is possible all sites may already be occupied.
Learn more about visiting Valcour Island at DEC’s website.
To learn more about the NFCT’s stewardship work, including volunteer opportunities, contact Trail Director Noah Pollock at noah@northernforestcanoetrail.org. For more information about the NFCT, visit northernforestcanoetrail.org.
Photo of Northern Forest Canoe Trail’s stewardship team enjoying a sunset on Valcour Island following a long day of work provided.
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