Champ, the Lake Monster
Credit: Cassie Tucker
Origins:
Lake Champlain on the border of northern New York and Vermont, and southern Quebec.
Legend:
Champ is said to be a prehistoric plesiosaur with a long neck and body, large fins, and a resemblance to Scotland’s Loch Ness monster. It’s known to be really shy and pretty much just eats fish and minds its own business. It is said that Champ has natural stealth abilities in order to evade detection around areas with boat traffic. Regardless of whether locals believe the creature is an actual plesiosaur or just a log, both the state of New York and Vermont have passed laws protecting it.
Visit:
Port Henry, New York
Port Henry offers an irregularly updated billboard listing sightings of Champ, the lake monster. The town’s “Welcome” sign at the north entrance of Route 9N also notes it as the “Home of Champ,” and features an image of the monster swimming in peace. If you’re there around mid-July or early-August, the town also hosts an annual “Champ Day” Festival with Champ-themed vendors, music, and a sailboat race.
Burlington, Vermont
There is a tombstone-style granite monument dedicated to Champ located on the end of Perkins Pier.
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