Lake Willoughby in Orleans County, Vermont
Lake Willoughby in Orleans County, Vermont
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Lake Willoughby in Orleans County, Vermont
This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version
Lake Willoughby is Vermont's deepest and most dramatic lake at 1,653 acres, featuring crystal-clear water plunging to an astounding maximum depth of 328 feet with an average depth substantial enough to keep the surface from freezing until later than other Northeast Kingdom lakes. Carved by glaciers over 12,000 years ago, this five-mile-long glacial lake resembles a Norwegian fjord and is known as the "Lucerne of America" due to its similarity to Switzerland's Lake Lucerne, with sheer cliffs of Mount Pisgah (2,751 feet) on the east and Mount Hor (2,648 feet) on the west rising dramatically from the water to create the iconic Willoughby Gap that takes visitors' breath away. Designated as a National Natural Landmark, the lake supports exceptional fishing for Rainbow Trout (both wild and stocked including migratory steelhead from Lake Memphremagog), Lake Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (mainly stocked), Brown Trout that once produced the world record for largest trout caught through ice at 39 pounds, Rainbow Smelt, Burbot, Yellow Perch, Round Whitefish (native species of extremely limited distribution in Vermont), and various other species thriving in the cold, oligotrophic waters. With two public beaches including a quarter-mile beach on the north shore and South Bay beach, plus a public boat launch on Route 5A, the lake is perfect for boating, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, scuba diving in Vermont's clearest waters, cliff diving at Devil's Rock, and fishing year-round, while the sheer cliffs provide nesting habitat for rare peregrine falcons and over 100 recorded bird species including loons, herons, and warblers
Located in the charming town of Westmore in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom just 30 minutes from the Canadian border, Lake Willoughby sits within the 7,600-acre Willoughby State Forest which includes the dramatic peaks flanking the lake plus Bald Mountain (the highest at 3,315 feet) and Bartlett Mountain with over 12 miles of hiking trails. Named by former Vermont Governor George Aiken in 1949 for its "pastoral setting and natural beauty," the Northeast Kingdom remains Vermont's most authentic and undiscovered destination comprising Orleans, Caledonia, and Essex counties. Visitors can hike Mount Pisgah's three trail routes or Mount Hor's old CCC roads for dizzying panoramic views of the lake below, explore Sentinel Rock State Park's 356 acres with sweeping overlooks, cross-country ski 12 kilometers of groomed Nordic terrain around Bartlett Mountain, and discover natural waterslides along the eastern shore flowing into the lake. The Willoughby Lake Store serves as the area's hub offering everything from bait to Vermont craft beer, made-to-order food, and local products, while the WilloughVale Inn & Cottages provides the only lakefront lodging where poet Robert Frost once camped. Nearby attractions include the world-renowned Kingdom Trails mountain bike network in East Burke just 20 minutes away (consistently ranked among the world's best with over 100 miles of trails), Burke Mountain Resort for skiing and hiking, the quirky Museum of Everyday Life in Glover celebrating household items, Bread and Puppet Theater (one of America's oldest nonprofit political theater companies), the Great Vermont Corn Maze, Jay Peak Resort, and charming towns including Barton with Crystal Lake, St. Johnsbury featuring the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium and St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, plus countless opportunities for fall foliage viewing, snowmobiling on VAST trails, and experiencing Vermont's most pristine wilderness where moose roam and loons call across the water
This magnificent handcrafted laser-cut wooden topographical map of Lake Willoughby would create a breathtaking focal point in your Northeast Kingdom cottage, Vermont home, or office, celebrating your connection to Vermont's most spectacular and photographed lake dating back over 12,000 years. The artistic design features a natural wood top layer that beautifully showcases the lake's dramatic five-mile length nestled between the fjord-like cliffs of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor creating the iconic Willoughby Gap, while the water depths are represented through a stunning gradient flowing from light blue in the shallower areas to rich deep blue at the astounding 328-foot maximum depth, making it Vermont's deepest lake and one of the deepest in the entire northeastern United States. Every contour of the sheer mountain cliffs, Devil's Rock diving spot, the two public beaches, boat launch, Willoughby River outlet flowing north to the Barton River and eventually the St. Lawrence River, Mill Creek inlet, and the distinctive shape carved by ancient glaciers is precisely laser-etched into the multi-layered wood construction, creating a stunning three-dimensional masterpiece that captures the awe-inspiring beauty and world-record fish heritage of this beloved National Natural Landmark known as the crown jewel of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom
Dimensions:
Small: 8"x12"
Medium: 12"x18"
Large: 16"x24"
Extra Large: 20"x30"
XX Large: 24"x36"
Gigantic 30"x45"
HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers
HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers
HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers
The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail.
Cribbage Boards - 10"x14" - Your choice of Maple or Cherry wood, 2 or 3 runs, and your choice of peg colors.
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About our Maps
Every map is designed and built in Minnesota. Nothing is outsourced and nothing is imported.
- Designed in-house. All art files are created by me, not purchased or reused
- True layered 3D construction. Not engraved or printed
- More layers, more detail. Most competitors use 3 to 7 layers. These use 8 or 15 layers
- Original blue depth gradient. Light to dark blue shows water depth clearly
- Handmade hardwood frames. Built from locally sourced rough sawn lumber, not pre-made frames
These are built to be the most accurate and most detailed 3D lake maps available.
Horn Dog Maps vs Others
True layered 3D construction
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: Sometimes
Designed in-house (no purchased files)
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Made in Minnesota
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Number of layers
Horn Dog Maps: 8 or 15
Other Companies: 3 to 7
Etsy Sellers: 3 to 7
Blue depth gradient water
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Handmade hardwood frame included
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Uses multiple depth data sources
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: Sometimes
Etsy Sellers: No
Custom lakes without delays
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Connection to the lakes
Horn Dog Maps: Yes
Other Companies: No
Etsy Sellers: No
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these actually 3D or just engraved?
These are true 3D layered maps.
- Made from 1/8 inch Baltic birch
- Standard maps have 8 layers. 1 land layer and 7 water layers
- HD maps have 15 layers. 1 land layer and 14 water layers
Each water layer uses a light to dark blue gradient so depth changes are easy to see.
Where are these made?
Everything is made in my shop in Minnesota.
- Design
- Cutting
- Painting
- Assembly
- Frame building
The frames start as locally sourced rough sawn hardwood and are built from scratch.
Do you use real depth data?
Yes, as an angler and map nerd, accuracy matters to me. I use multiple data sources, up to six, to find the most accurate lake contours available.
I would not hang an inaccurate map in my house and I will not send one to yours.
Why buy from Horn Dog Maps instead of Etsy or marketplace sellers?
Most marketplace sellers:
- Buy pre-made cut files, often from overseas
- Have no connection to the lakes
- Cannot verify accuracy
- Have long delays if a file is not available
This leads to lower accuracy and longer lead times, often 6 to 8 weeks.
Because I design everything myself:
- I can create a new lake mockup in about 30 minutes
- You get a more accurate map, faster
What is your lead time?
Most orders ship in 1.5 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year.
Tell me about the Cribbage Boards
These are different from the layered maps and are not something you will find elsewhere.
- Made from a solid piece of Maple or Cherry
- The lake is engraved as if drained
- Then filled with blue tinted epoxy that is still transparent
You can see:
- Channels
- Humps
- Points
- Structure
Additional features:
- 2 or 3 track options
- Choice of peg colors
- Hidden peg storage with a magnetic dovetail slider
- Rubber feet so it does not slide on the table
It is a functional game board and a detailed lake model in one.