Canoe and Kayak Trips, Route Suggestions & Trip Planning

Located in northern New York State, the Adirondack Mountain Region is the Northeast's last great wilderness. Established as a state forest preserve in 1885, the six million acre park boasts more than 2000 lakes and ponds, over 1200 miles of rivers, and some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States. The abundance of water in the midst of mountains is what makes the Adirondack Region so unique.

The Adirondacks have long been recognized as an outdoorsman's paradise. Many of the lakes, ponds, and rivers connect to form a watery highway through the woods, inviting the boater to explore. Miles of hiking trails provide access to the beauty of the mountain peaks.

Summer and fall are ideal seasons for exploring the Adirondacks. While summer days are hot with temperatures in the 70's and 80's, the nights are refreshingly cool. Summer gives way to the blaze of autumn colors in late September. Fall daytime temperatures remain warm in the 60's and 70's. The reds and oranges of the maples and the golden hues of the birches provide an impressive backdrop for any activity.

In whatever season you choose to come, the Adirondacks offer the best in outdoor recreation and fun!

The Bog River Flow Area/Lows Lake: 1-5 days,1 portage. Beautiful wilderness area with plentiful bird life, several hiking options, nice primitive campsites along the way, a great place to spend time and explore. Good fishing and swimming. No motorboats. Return via the same route or for the Wilderness Adventurer travel through to the Oswegatchie River (see Bog River Traverse). 14.5 + miles one way.

Long Lake to Tupper Lake: 3-4 days,1 portage. A classic lake and flat water river trip. Part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Optional hiking up the remote Cold River Valley, This trip travels through beautiful country. Fish and swim along the way, scenic Raquette Falls. A great 50 mile route. 40-50 miles

Little Tupper Lake & Round Lake (Whitney Park Canoe Area): 1-4 days. Recently opened to the public in 1998 & 2007 by State Purchases. A beautiful motor-less area with plentiful wildlife especially loons and great island campsites. Now Paddle directly into Round Lake for a day trip or over night or portage into remote Rock Pond. Return via the same route or for the wilderness adventurer travel through to Lake Lila via portages and stream travel (see Lake Lila Traverse). This is a great wilderness area to paddle. 14-26 miles.

Lake Lila: A primitive area prohibiting the use of motorized vehicles. Large white pines, natural sandy beaches and island camping. Wildlife in abundance. A wonderful place to base camp. Hiking available up Mt. Frederica. 1 portage.

St. Regis Area to Tupper Lake: 2-3 days, 1 portage. A combination of lakes, ponds, river and stream travel through beautiful scenic waterways. Optional side trip to Raquette Falls. 35+ miles.

Blue Mtn Lake to Tupper Lake or St. Regis Canoe Area: 5-7 days,8-9 portages. A classic trip. A combination of lake, river, and pond travel. Mountain scenes, hikes and good fishing. Makes for a great multi-day trip. 70+ miles

Old Forge to Saranac Lakes: 8-10 days,10 portages. This is a popular historic Adirondack lake, river and pond trip.. Starts in the Fulton chain of lakes enters the Moose River drainage, follows the Raquette River and ends in the Saranac Lakes or Tupper Lake. Can be a busy summer route. Part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. 95 miles

Axton to Raquette Falls on the Raquette River: 1-2 days. River travel. Optional hike. Falls, fine swimming, good fishing, birds, ducks, beaver, otter and deer usually seen along route. Return via the same route. No portages. This is a great day trip. 12 miles.

Stoney Creek Ponds to Axton on the Raquette River: 1/2 -1 day. Small stream, pond, and river travel. Good picnic and swimming spots. Plentiful bird life. No portages. A great beginner trip.

Stoney Creek Ponds to the Crusher via the Raquette River: 1 day. Pond, river and stream travel. No portages. An easy trip. 14 miles.

Paddle to the Wild Center: from our location and enjoy a day or 1/2 day exploring the river viewing wildlife then pulling right up to the Wild Center dock for a museum tour and/or lunch. A great way to see natural history inside and out. www.wildcenter.org

Oswegatchie River (East Branch): 2-4 days. A small stream trip up to beautiful High Falls with optional hikes. Return via the same route. No motorized vehicles. 2 portages (optional).

Bog River-Oswegatchie RiverTraverse: 3-7 days, 4 portages. Begins just South of Tupper Lake on the Bog River at Low's lower dam, enters Lows Lake, portage to Deer pond then a 2.4 mile carry to the Upper Oswegatchie River. This is the Five Ponds Wilderness Area with several hiking options. Two or more days down the river to take out at Inlet. This is a beautiful remote area well worth the effort. 35-40 miles

Little Tupper Lake to Lake Lila Traverse: 2-4 days, 5 portages. A very challenging route with carrys not fully established but flagged. You need good route finding skills in this remote motor-less wilderness trip but worth the effort. 18-22 miles. Can be combined with the Lake Lila to Lows Lake/ Bog River traverse.

Lake Lila to Lows Lake/Bog River Traverse: 2-3 days, 4 portages. A very challenging route with rough carry trails not fully established. You need good route finding skills for this wilderness traverse.

St. Regis Ponds: 1-5 days,10-14 portages. The numerous ponds each one having its distinctive character are remote and prohibit the use of motorized vehicles. A strenuous area requiring many short carries. Hiking available from the shores. Small stream travel. Following Floodwood Pond, Upper Saranac, Hatchery Brook, St. Regis Pond and Fish Pond. 35-40 miles

Fish Creek Ponds Loop: 1-2 days,4 portages. A popular loop exploring 7 ponds and a creek. 6-12 miles.

Paul Smiths through the St. Regis Canoe Area: 1-3 days, 6 portages. A combination of pond, stream and lake travel and a great hiking option up St. Regis Mt. Known as The "SEVEN CARRIES" route including the 3 St. Regis Lakes. 9-12 miles

St. Regis Canoe Area/ Nine Carries: 1-4 days, 9 carries. Classic wilderness trip in a beautiful non-motor boat area. Great fishing and camping. Optional hike up Long Pond Mountain. Strenuous area with several portages. 13-18 miles

The Saranac Lakes: 2-5 days, 1-2 portages. Great camps, mountain scenes, island studded lakes, sandy beaches and mountain hikes, a set of locks between middle and lower Saranac. Designated/fee campsites. 20-30 miles.

Middle Saranac Lake: 1/2-1 day. Small stream, lake and pond travel. Sandy beaches, Island camping, good swimming and fishing. A popular area in July and August. Designated/fee campsites. No portages.

Cranberry Lake: 3-7 days, no portages. A large beautiful lake with 55 miles of shoreline, 46 designated campsites and/or the DEC maintains a public campground and day-use area on the lake, which includes a picnic area, a beach, and bathhouses. The Cranberry Lake region is one of the largest remote areas remaining in the state. This lake has flows and bays extending out in every direction to invite exploration and offer refuge on windy days. Many hiking trails originating on the lake shore lead to remote ponds and overlooks on mountain tops. 5-30 miles

Lake Kushaqua to the St. Regis Canoe Area: 3-4 days,8 portages. A combination of waterways Including Rainbow Lake, St. Regis Lakes and the St. Regis wilderness ponds, ending on Little Clear Pond. Beginning this trip on Little Clear or Upper St. Regis and ending on Kushaqua takes advantage of the prevailing winds. 20 miles.