Canoe and kayaking opportunities abound across New York State. For many people, the Adirondack Park in upstate New York is a must-visit paddling destination, with over 3,000 lakes and ponds to explore. The fun and opportunities aren’t just in the Adirondacks, though; you can find great canoeing anywhere in the state. Here are some of the best places to visit in the state for flatwater paddling.
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1. St. Regis Canoe Area
The Saint Regis Canoe Area is an 18,400-acre area in the Adirondack Park of Upstate New York. It is the only designated canoe area in the state. There are 50 small lakes and ponds to explore, offering various paddling opportunities, ranging from day trips to overnights. A great place to start your explorations is by putting in at Little Clear Pond and then carrying 0.6-miles to Saint Regis Pond in the heart of the canoe area.
There are plenty of first-come, first-served campsites that make great overnight destinations or a nice place to stop for lunch. The Adirondack Paddler’s Guide is an excellent resource for planning a trip to this area.
2. Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region is rich with paddling opportunities. The southern inlet of Owasco Lake is a great place to paddle, bird watch, or walk the local nature trails. For those looking for a quieter experience, you may want to check out the Hemlock-Candice State Forest. Hemlock and Candice Lakes have completely protected shorelines and are free of motorboats, making them tranquil places to paddle. In addition to the lakes themselves, there are plenty of smaller water bodies and rivers to explore in the region. The Chemung River and Howland Island are two worth checking out and exploring.
If you want to explore the region in more detail, we recommend picking up the Take A Paddle: Finger Lakes guidebook. The book covers 64 locations in the region to explore via canoe or kayak.
3. Lake George
Lake George is one of the most beautiful lakes in New York State, and it is known for its crystal clear waters and dramatic mountains that reach right down to the lake shores. At 32-miles in length and with 176-miles of shoreline, there are plenty of places to explore on Lake George. The lake does receive heavy boat traffic and can be quite wavy, so it is best to be in a kayak and be comfortable in choppy conditions unless you’re staying in a protected bay. Also, if you are crossing the lake or away from shore, be on the lookout for boat traffic.
If you are looking for a guidebook to give you specific recommendations on where to paddle, we recommend the Kayaker’s Guide to Lake George. The guide also includes portions of the Hudson River, Champlain Canal, Great Sacandaga Lake, Sacandaga River, and other locations.
4. Northern Forest Canoe Trail
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail is a 740-mile paddling trail stretching from the Adirondack Mountains in northern New York to northern Maine. 147-miles of the trail are in New York State. The trail starts in Old Forge, NY, and for a good portion of its length, follows a historic canoe route through the Adirondacks. The trail crosses the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Raquette Lake, Long Lake, the Saranac Lake Chain, and the Saranac River. There are countless paddling opportunities along the route, ranging from day trips to multi-day overnights.
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail Guidebook and map series are your best resources for trip planning. The Brown’s Tract and Raquette River are two highlights of the trail.
5. Hudson River
The Hudson River is 315-miles long, originating on the shoulders of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack High Peaks and flowing south to New York City. There are many places along the Hudson River to explore by canoe or kayak. Those that are adventurous may want to go rafting through the Hudson River gorge. There are many flatwater paddling opportunities along the river’s length as well. The Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Red Hook is a great place to explore by canoe or kayak. You can find dozens of paddling locations along the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail.
