Reviews: City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: Tony Green on Jun 26, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 26'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

One of our favorite places so far on the Great Loop—definitely worth the side trip! The cleats on the floating dock were more than adequate for our small boat. Did not plug in to electric—your cord will run across the asphalt where the occasional cars drive through the park. Agree with all other details in previous review. The waterfall is stunning, but we saw a boat run aground that got too close. AquaMap chart was accurate at the entrance to Otter Creek, and we never saw less than 7 feet. The rest of the creek is very pretty and easily navigable. Vergennes is attractive and charming, with a few good dining options—we enjoyed Rockers Pizzeria.

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Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Jun 17, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 4

We love this stop!! The seven mile cruise up Otter Creek is beautiful. You will pass lots and lots of people fishing from the bank and several boat with people fishing. The floating dock in front of the bulkhead is tippy. The cleats on it are not sufficient to tie up a big boat. The bulkhead has massive steel cleats for large boats to tie to (This means your dock lines will go across the floating dock. We tied survey tape to our lines for visibility.). The 50A outlet is on a power pole, across the driveway. A 50' shore power cord easily reaches the boat. There is a donation box for those who tie up here. It looks like there are power boxes for boats that tie up across the channel. There is no floating dock on that side and the bulkhead is rusted through in many places. I would not choose to tie up on that side of the channel. The water falls are beautiful. It is a short uphill walk to the main street of town. Unlike other small towns we have visited by boat, the downtown of Vergennes is thriving!! There wasn't a single vacant storefront! Historic buildings have been restored. There are lots of places to shop and eat. There are two ice-cream shops. The town deserves 5 stars. The trip up the Otter River deserves 5 stars. Tied up looking at the falls deserves 5 stars. The floating dock deserves 2 stars. The electrical outlet across the driveway deserves 3 stars (lots of free docks do not even have power). Therefore, I give the location 4 stars AND say it is one of, if not, our favorite stops between Waterford and the Canadian border going through Lake Champlain.

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       Photo courtesy of Lance Williamson, M/V Blessings Flow

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Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: DeeDee H on Jun 19, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 34'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

Beautiful waterfalls and great town. This was a wonderful place to wait out some windy weather. Love the cute town and great food. Sign says free docking for 48 hours. However, there is also a donation box. There is 15-amp and 50-amp power. Too bad we need 30 amps, but that's no problem. Water available. No restrooms. It's a popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Loved it.

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Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: Brian Chapin, Tug Life, on Jun 6, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 25'
Draft: 2.0'

Rating: 4

Quiet overnight tie-up along wall.. Space for 2-3 boats. Our 50 ft power cord easily reached plug in. Water was not yet tuned on. No restrooms or showers. Position boat for view of falls. Donation box for overnight stays. Easy 10 -15 min walk into quaint town. Per locals,, enter mouth of creek slowly and stay in center of creek.

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Review for City of Vergennes Municipal Docks - MacDonough Park

Reviewed by: Robert LeMoine on Jul 22, 2018
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 3

Just a beautiful 7 mile ride up the creek. Very narrow, but plenty deep. We never saw less than 8'. But the city marina is not good at all. Power cords are across the parking lot, and on our visit there was a bass tournament going on, so really no place for us. Do not go too far to the falls or you will hit something. We did as we turned around. Be cautious.

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