Adirondack Waterways for Paddlers & Rafters
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"Did you know?"
The Adirondack Park contains more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 6,000 miles of rivers and streams. Adirondack paddling ranges from whitewater chutes to glassy shiny ponds. The Adirondacks remain one of the world's great destination of wilderness canoeing & kayaking. The acquisitions of the Park continue to increase, so we welcome your contribution (or paddling story) of where to go. Below are many enjoy able sites to start enjoying! Please be sure to check your Paddling Guidebooks and maps (see resources below) before heading out. Keep safety in mind at all times. Check out our Guide Services too! Quick Find: Flatwater, Whitewater, Boating Tours, Scuba Diving, Marinas, Public Beaches, Outback Wilderness, Resources |
Flatwater Paddling (up to Class D)
| Ausable Marsh, - Ausable Point State Campgrounds | Ausable River, West Branch (some Class I riffles) - Rt 73 bridge, or 1.5 miles down Riverside Dr, Ausable | Boquet River, Willsboro - below the fish ladder |
| Chubb River - good bird watching too, may need to lift over beaver dams | Lake Champlain - sea kayak. Westport to Split Rock Point to Essex | Newcomb Lake/Camp Santanoni Preserve |
| Rich Lake & Harris Lake, public beach, Newcomb | Saranac Lakes' Chain, Saranac Lake (also Oseetah Lake) | Saranac River, Class II water before Franklin Falls Pond. Franklin Falls Road provides access |
| Schroon River, North Hudson to Schroon Lake, scenic 15 mile trip | Cascade Lakes at the public forest | Eagle Lake, Ticonderoga |
| Lincoln Pond, Elizabethtown | Putnam Pond, Putnam | The Chateaugay Lakes (2 wide lakes connected by channel, 10.5 miles, summer resort, check out Bluff Point) |
| West Branch Ausable River (8 miles of tranquil water w/dense woods, Class I riffles & 1 carry, spring is best) | Raquette River (17 miles from Pearcefield to Carry Falls Reservoir, offers exciting whitewater, 2 waterfalls, borders state land, water level is critical) |
North Branch Grass River (16.5 miles w/mix of rapids and flatwater, Class II & IV to moderate size double hydraulics before Harpers Falls, carry is required) |
| Sacandaga River (empties into Hudson River @ Hadley Lake. Dam is 3 miles w/Class II) | Hudson River*(N. River to N. Creek, 5 miles for Class II rapids then 18 miles to Schroon River for exciting Class III) |
Lower Schroon River (27 miles with mix of long flatwater to some exciting Class III-IV, scout before running) |
Hudson River Trivia: Mt. Marcy's Lake Tear of the Clouds, is the highest pond source for the mighty
Hudson River. From humble beginnings, the Hudson flows 275 miles into New York City to the Atlantic Ocean.
Whitewater Paddling (Class II plus)
| Ausable River, East Branch - carries at Hull's Falls, fish dam at Upper Jay and waterfalls at Jay | Boquet River in the Spring - at Elizabethtown to I-87 overpass becomes Class III drop & rapids. 25 mile stretch thereafter to Lake Champlain (waterfalls at Wadham) | Boreas River (, paddlers in closed boats) remove |
| Upper Hudson River (Class III-IV rapids) guide service available | Hudson River Gorge - no open canoes, Class V rapids w/hydraulics, souse holes and high standing waves at N. River | Lower Moose River (Old Forge Region - 17 miles demanding Class V+ Rapids) |
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Saranac River (starting out as slow moving flatwater up to Class III at Permanent Rapids before Franklin Falls, .4 mile carry) |
"Silver Staircase" (7 mile run of whitewater, advance, Clase IV) |
Middle Branch Moose River (Old Forge Region - float down w/gradual picks up to some exciting Class II rapids) |
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Little River (lower 6 miles technical Class III, upper is quiet Class I, 2 short carries) |
Middle Branch Oswegatchie River (spectacular branch plundges over waterfalls thru gorge, drop 90 ' in 1st 2 miles, adrenalin with Class III rapids. Scouting necessary. 2nd half 12 mile run is calm Class I) |
Lampson Falls Area (spectacular stretch requiring different paddling skills, flatwater to falls, to abrupt changes, drops, cascades and up to Class V. Only experts should try the lower section) |
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Upper Hudson River & Hudson River Gorge (12 miles from Newcomb to Indian River, beautiful remote w/Class III rapids at Ord Falls, blends into the turbulent Hudson River Gorge w/difficult Class V w/hydraulics, souse holes & high standing water. Experts only!) |
Lower West Branch Sacandaga River (8 miles w/up to Class II rapids, spring is best, steep gradient of 55' per mile) |
Sacandaga River (from Rt 30, slalom of almost continuous fast whitewater, up to Class III. Lake Alqonguin 4 miles to run. Best done at high water) |
Outback Country
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Adirondack Guides have been helping visitors since Thomas Jefferson once ventured here. Call upon the services of a guide for your canoe or kayak outing. Adirondack earliest guides were trappers, loggers and native Americans, leading pioneers and explorers. Today's guides are still strong showing tourist through the woods. Many guides share tall tales and are truly enjoyable. Visit our "Guide" Section.) Call Adk. Regional Tourism Council for your Guide (800-487-6867). |
| Little Tupper Lake & Rock pond (William C. Whitney Area, 9 bodies of water, 30 campsites, moderate wind advisory, anglers catch & release) | Santa Clara Tract (along the St. Regis River, above Everton Falls & Deer River Meadows) | Croghan Tract (include Mud Pond, Sand Pond & Gregg Lake in the western ADK) |
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Toley Pond Tract (mixture of flatwater & whitewater on the S. Branch Grass River. Scenic waterfalls.) |
Beaver River Canoe Route (Old Forge Region, 14 mile paddle thru reservoirs & channels 1-877-85-ORION) |
Sand Pond-Mud Pond Area (Old Forge Region - part of the Croghan tract, .2 mile carry in, marshy shores, narrow corridor streams) |
| Cranberry Lake (bays & flows, great hiking too, 46 campsites) Outlet starts 1.8 miles downstream from bridge, windy flat water to Newton Falls Reservoir | Francis Lake (Old Forge Region - 120 acre lake, primitive campsites) | Stillwater Reservoir (Old Forge Region, 9 mile long reservoir surrounded by state campsites) |
| Oswegatchie River (virgin pines, scenic river 40 mile round trip) | Moss Lake (Old Forge Region - small lake at foot of steep mtn, 7 campsites) | Big Moose Lake (Old Forge Region, borders state land, bays/marsh & trails leading to Pigeon Lk Wilderness w/campsites) |
| Tupper Lake (shallow marsh connects Tupper, Simon & Raquette ponds, western shore w/campsites, Bog River Falls for 2 miles stillwater) | Black River (Old Forge Region - Lyons Falls to Carthage Dam, 44 miles of interrupted flatwater) | N. Branch Moose River (Old Forge Region - slow moving stretch of river, 11 miles, isolated) |
| Raquette River (Long Lake to Tupper Lake - 3- miles) meanders and campsites at intervals, outlet to Stony Creek Pond provides access to Upper Saranac Lake) | Forked Lake (Blue Mtn. Lake Region - privately owed, borders state land, 7 mile lake, downstream to Long Lake is mix of flat & fast water) | Fulton Chain of Lakes (Old Forge Region - famous 16 mile chain of lakes from 1st to 5th lake) |
| Lows Lake/Bog River Flow (Cranberry Lake Region - 11 mile paddle w/shore carry at upper dam, marshes w/backdrop of rugged mtns, islands and 39 campsites. Ambitious 3 mile carry on west end leads to Upper Oswegatchie River) | Lake Lilia (Tupper Lake Region - 7 islands, 17 campsites, sandy beaches, climb Frederica Mtn. too) |
Raquette Lake (many bays, great camps, and
2 mile channel at S. Inlet & Browns, connects to 8th Lake on Fulton Chain) |
| Long Lake (prevailing winds, 14 mile lake, campsites available) | Blue Mountain Lake (10 islands, mtn. ringed lake, 1/2 mile carry at west end leads to Marion River) | Big Brook (Long Lake Region - 4.7 mile cruise thru scenic corridor w/fast water sections - pest in spring) |
| Madawaska Flow-Quebec Brook (Santa Clara Tract - accessible Rt 458, remote & scenic, some portaging) | St. Regis River (16 mile winding flatwater, up & down stream) | Lower Osgood River (sm. river meanders thru forest/marsh, starting at Meacham Lake outlet, huge Eagle's nest) |
| Lake Kushaqua to Osgood Pond (12 mile trip w/interesting group of lakes, channels & one .75 mile carry) | St. Regis Falls Flow/East Branch (quiet flatwater, 6 miles above dam. Everton Falls is passable at high water levels with challenging white water w/rapids, some scouting) | St. Regis Wilderness Canoe Area (pond-hopper's paradise, many short carries, traverse 10 kales & ponds) |
| Chubb River (little river w/surprises, 9 mile round trip, 1 carry, numerous beaver dams) | St. Regis River/Santa Clara Flow (just off Blue Mtn Road, some fast water, short carry, windy backwater) | Everton Falls Preserve - E. Branch St. Regis River (waterfalls winding 9 miles flatwater, marsh, short portage trail over wetlands) |
| Hatch Brook (9 mile flatwater cruise thru marsh & scenery) | Deer River Flow (2.7 mile backwater, mtn. views, lots of birds) | Deer River (above High Falls, 10 mile flatwater, below High Falls drops rapidly w/mix of moving water, access Deer River State Forest) |
| Lower Oswegatchie River (starts at Gouveneur, 65 miles to Osdenburg which flows into St. Lawrence River, slow moving, marshes & pasture & Rapids that can be portaged or run by experienced paddlers) | Black Lake (anglers dream, rocky points, weedbeds) | Raquette River Reservoirs (27 mile stretch w/setting of largest inland hydroelectric in Northern NY, picnic areas, ramps, beaches & campgrounds) |
| Indian Lake (14 mile waterway, island camping, Snowy Mtn. cliffs, fire tower, hike Baldface) | South Branch Grass River (part of Tooley Pond Tract, upper section to Rainbow Falls for canoeing, carry trails & around waterfalls. Rainbow Falls suitable for expert kayakers) | Lower Raquette River (14. miles between Raymondville to Raquette River Village, paddle when water levels are adequate, several sets of rapids) |
| Piseco Lake Area (interesting side trips, Fall Stream to Fall Lake, beaver dams, remote Vly Lake) | Sacandaga Lake Area (2 lg. headwater lakes connected by sm. navigable channel, paddle up to Mud Lake or carry to beautiful Fawn Lk., several campsites) | Jessup River (while at Indian Lake, meandering stream 4 mile cruise, picnic, trail to waterfall) |
| Cear River Flow/Moose River Plains (tucked in the mtns., isolated wilderness - brochure at DEC) | Upper West Branch Sacandaga River (Class I flatwater, either direction. Both Chub & Trout Lake have navigable outlets for side trips) | Kunjamuk Creek (7 mile round trip windy river, paddle to Elm Lake) |
| Rich Lake & Harris Lake ( public beach for scenic 7.5 mile round trip) | Schroon River (15 mile from N. Hudson to Schroon Lake, easy Class I flat water, with carry at Schroon Falls, wildlife sightings and empties into Schroon Lake) | Lower Schroon River (27 miles with mix of long flatwater to some exciting Class III-IV, scout before running) |
| Great Chazy River (20 miles section of a 40 mile river, downstream float at Mooers and extend into Kings Bay, some motor boat traffic) | Chazy Lake (4 mile lake nestled at Lyon, Johnson & Ellenburg Mtn., beach & park, firetower at Lyon Mtn.) | Silver Lake & Taylor Pond (secluded lakes, dense woods, short hike to top of Silver Lake Mountain) |
| Ausable Point Wildlife Mgt. Area (interesting 5 mile circuit w/meanders of Ausable Delta & marshes, many species of waterfowl) |
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Lake George Steamboat Company Lake George, 800553-BOAT |
Lake George Shoreline Cruise Lake George, 518-668-3882 |
Juniper Boat Tours Plattsburgh, 518-561-8970 |
| Lake Champlain Scenic & Historic Cruises, 802-897-5331 | Adirondack Marina Boat Tours, 518-523-9704 | |
| Lake Placid Marina Boat Tours, 518-523-9704 | Adirondack Marina Boat Tours, 518-523-9704 |
Old Forge Lake Cruises Old Forge, 315-369-6473 |
| Champlain Canal Tour Boats | Lake Champlain Ferries (Essex, Port Kent, Plattsburgh, and cable ferry at Ticonderoga) | Lake Champlain Scenic & Historic Cruises, 802-897-5331 |
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Lake George Shoreline Cruise Lake George, 518-668-3882 |
Lake George Steamboat Company Lake George, 800-553-BOAT |
Schroon Lake Boat Tours, 518-532-7675 |
| Lake Champlain Underwater Historic Preserve, contact NYS DEC 518-897-1200 | Adirondack Divers | Morin's Dive Center, Glens Falls, 800-924-3483 |
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Champlain Dive Center, Plattsburgh, 518-562-3483 |
Jones' Aqua Sports, Willsboro, 518-963-1150 |
Ontario Scuba, Fulton, NY 315-593-8040 |
Trivia: New York State has over 800 public and private commercial marinas along its coastal zone
and connected waterways.
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Essex Shipyard, Essex, 518-963-7700 |
Chelka Lodge Diamond Point, 518-668-4677 |
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Monitor Bay Marina, Crown Point, 518-597-3235 |
Lamb Bros Inc., Bolton Landing, 518-644-9797 |
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Gilbert Brook Marina, West Chazy, 516-846-7342 |
Hulett's Island Marina, Dresden |
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Chazy Yacht Club, Chazy, 518-298-2797 |
Snug Harbor Marina, Ticonderoga |
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Boats-R-Fun, Willsboro, Klein Drive, Willsboro, 518-963-7276 |
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Chazy Boat Basin Chazy, 518-298-2010 |
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Port Henry Boat Launch, Port Henry, 518-546-9981 |
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Port Henry Marina, Port Henry, 518-546-3428/7850 |
Marinas @ Other Adirondack Lakes
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Ampersand Bay Resort & Boat Club, Saranac Lake |
Blue Mt Lake Boat Livery, Blue Mountain, 518-648-3973 |
Schroon Lake Marina, Schroon Lake, 518-532-7884 |
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Trader Johns, Mayfield, 518-961-5031 |
Boblin Boat Works Lakeside Drive, Mayfield, 518-961-5713 |
Burkes, Raquette Lake, 315-354-4623 |
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Camp Hilary Long Lake, 518-624-2233 |
Camp Of The Woods Speculator, 518-548-6411 |
Cayuga Lake Campground Gloversville, 518-773-7468 |
Dunlop MarineLake Pleasant, 518-548-7954
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Donaldson's, Lake Clear,518-891-4070
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Douglas Corp. Silver Lake 518-647-8061 |
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Keough Marine Sales, Saranac Lake,518-891-2340 |
Cedar Cove Cottages Blue Mountain Lake, 518-352-7742 |
Lees Park, Saratoga Spring, 518-584-6844 |
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Little Wolf Pond, Tupper Lake, 518-359-3000 |
Mayfield Yacht ClubMayfield, 518-961-9900 |
McDonalds Boat Livery Tupper Lake, 518-359-9060 |
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Motel Long Lake, Long Lake, 518-624-2613 |
Pecks Lake, Gloversville, 518-725-1294 |
Saratoga Lake Marine, Saratoga Spring, 518-899-6492 |
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Rocky Dell Cottages, Long Lake, 518-624-2273 |
Fogarty Lake Flower Marina, Saranac Lake, 518-891-2340 | Swiss Marine Inc., Saranac Lake, 581-891-2130 (rentals) |
| Lake Placid Marina, Lake Placid, 518-523-9704 | Union Falls Lake Camp, Au Sable Forks, 518-647-8083 | Crescent Bay Inc. Duso's, Saranac Lake, NY 518-891-2060 (rentals) |
| Clarks Marina, Inlet, 315-357-3231 | Inlet Marina, 315-357-3231 | Lake Pleasant Marine, Lake Pleasant, 518-548-7711 |
| Clark's Indian Lake Marina, Sabael, 518-648-5459 | Adirondack Marina, Long Lake, 518-624-2090 | |
| Long Lake Marina, Long Lake, 518-624-2266 | Bird's Adirondack Marine, Raquette Lake, 315-354-4441 |
| Lake Everest, 518-946-2255 | Lake George, Ticonderoga 518-585-6619 | Lake Harris, 518-582-3211 |
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Lincoln Pond State Campsite, 518-942-5292 |
Minerva Lake, 518-251-2869 |
Mirror Lake, 518-523-2445 |
| Putnam Pond State Campsite, 518-585-7280 | Schroon Lake Village, 518-532-7675 | Schroon River, N. Hudson, 518-532-7217 |
| Ausable Point State Campground, 518-561-7080 | Bulwagga Bay, Port Henry, 518-546-7500 | Noblewood Park, Willsboro |
| Normandie Beach Club, Westport | Port Douglas, 518-834-7292 | Champ Beach Park, 518-546-7123 |
| Willsboro Bay, 518-963-8668 | Rich Lake & Harris Lake |
| Guide Books & Maps |
Adirondack North Country |
Paddling.net Resources |
| Adirondack Paddlers Map, 518-775-2925 | Delorme Mapping Co. | Maptech Waterproof Charts |
| Lake Champlain Nautical Charts, 800-638-8975 | Fishing Hot Spots Maps (Lk. George & Lk. Champlain) | Empire State Marine Trades |
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Club Nautico Boat Rentals @ Westport Marina, 800-626-0342 |
State-wide Emergency Search & Rescue/Fire Hot Line 518-891-0235 |
sponsored by "Rentals by Shawna"
compliments by Adirondack Country Homes Realty Inc.
518.532.7900
* DISCLOSURE: Adirondack Country Homes Realty Inc. is not affiliated with any of the above businesses, locations, state parks, nor can vouch for the quality, and is NOT responsible for the actions of the above. This is brought as a public service message only.