Growing up in Boston, I spent my childhood enjoying beaches in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I became a kayaker. Living by the Hudson River, kayaking was the easiest way to get out and enjoy the water. Since I took up kayaking seven years ago, I’ve been able to explore many of the lakes and rivers across the very large, very rural state that I now call home. That’s right, most parts of New York are nothing like NYC โ and I am passionate about helping people escape the city and experience the rest of New York. So keep reading for the best places to kayak in New York state, from an unforgettable urban adventure to multi-day trips along the New York-Canada border.
1. Circumnavigating Manhattan
Journey Details: Get a whole new angle on Manhattan by paddling the entire way around the island. A 32-mile kayak trip circumnavigating Manhattan takes you along stretches of the Hudson River, the East River, and the Harlem River. Along the way, you’ll paddle underneath New York’s bridges, from the George Washington Bridge to the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge (plus many others). You’ll also kayak past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Wildlife: Mostly sea birds.
Conditions and Fees: This is a lengthy kayak trip through often choppy waters with significant boat traffic. As such, it’s not a novice journey. I strongly recommend you go with a group. Outfitters like Manhattan Kayak Company have prerequisites for attempting this paddle, so make sure you plan ahead for this bucket list paddle and have all my recommended kayaking safety gear.
Launch Points: Manhattan Kayak Co tours leave from Pier 84 Boathouse in Hudson River Park. Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club leads an annual kayak trip around Manhattan, which leaves from Tubby Hook on the Hudson River.
2. Thousand Islands region, St. Lawrence River
Journey Details: Along the US-Canadian border, the Thousand Islands offer a maze of islands perfect for multi-day kayaking trips on the St. Lawrence River. Paddle through calm channels, explore hidden coves, and camp on secluded islands. While a multi-day kayak tour the best way to experience this unique area, a day trip also makes for an epic paddle. After camping in the 1000 Islands on a road trip from Toronto, this has been on my kayaking bucket list.
Wildlife: Wildlife includes ospreys, bald eagles, and various waterfowl. You might even spot the occasional river otter.
Conditions and Fees: There’s no fee to paddle the 1000 Islands, but camping on state-owned islands requires a permit. The Thousand Islands attract a lot of boat traffic, so you may be dodging speed boats or jet skis during your paddle.
Launch Point: On the New York side of the border, Wellesley Island State Park is a popular launch point to explore the Thousand Islands.
3. Lake George, Adirondacks
Journey Details: Lake George is one of the most peaceful lakes I’ve visited. Surrounded by mountains, the lake has a mellow feel that is completely different from the crowded downtown area. Paddle past boutique hotels, quiet coves and lake beaches on day trip on Lake George. If you’re looking for a longer adventure and don’t mind portaging your boat, Lake George offers some very secluded backcountry paddles.
Wildlife: Look out for loons, ospreys, ducks, and eagles.
Conditions and Fees: There’s no fee to kayak Lake George, but some launch sites may have parking fees. Wind can create challenging paddling conditions, especially if you venture away from the sheltered shoreline to the wider sections of the lake.
Launch Points: Many Lake George vacation rentals come with private docks that let you access the lake. There are many public docks, including at Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton Landing, which is home to kayak rental companies if you’re on an Adirondacks vacation and need to rent a boat. When I took a day trip to Lake George and didn’t yet own a kayak, that’s what I did!
4. Cayuga Lake, Finger Lakes
Journey Details: The second-largest Finger Lake, Cayuga Lake, offers 38 miles of paddling with picturesque views of rolling hills and vineyards. Come fall, the forested banks blaze with reds, yellows, and oranges.
Wildlife: You may spot water birds and fish as you paddle.
Conditions and Fees: The Finger Lakes can be quite choppy if there is wind. I’ve paddled in whitecap conditions. I would not recommend this paddle for beginner kayakers, unless the lake is calm and there is no wind. There’s no fee to paddle, but some you may have to pay to park at certain launch sites. The Empire Pass is accepted at some launch sites, which reduces the cost to kayak Cayuga Lake.
Launch Points: Myers Park in Lansing, NY, as is Taughannock Falls State Park on the opposite shore.
5. Upper Niagara River (Upper)
- Journey Details: Paddle beneath the Peace Bridge and the International Bridge on an upper Niagara River kayak that offers views of both the American and Canadian shorelines!
- Wildlife: Look out for waterfowl, including mergansers and mallards.
- Conditions and Fees: There’s no fee to paddle. The current can be strong in this area; this isn’t a suitable journey for beginner kayakers.
- Launch Points: Launch from Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island. From the NYS Thruway, take exit 53 to I-190 North, then exit 19 for NY-384/Grand Island Boulevard.
6. Saranac Lake, Adirondacks
- Journey Details: Not one lake but a chain, Saranac Lake is connected by the Saranac River. The Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge offers five potential routes to challenge and inspire you. Choose your adventure, with some possible portages between bodies of water, surrounded by the Adirondack mountains.
- Wildlife: Look for loons, eagles, and possibly even moose.
- Conditions and Fees: There’s no fee to paddle, but camping on state land requires a permit if you are planning a multiday journey. Be prepared for potential portages between lakes.
- Launch Points: Launch from Lake Flower in Saranac Lake village.
7. Hudson Highlands
- Journey Details: Paddle through the Hudson Highlands, where the river cuts through mountains creating a fjord-like landscape. While the attempt to build a shoreline fjord trail for cyclists and hikers has hit a snag, you can kayak through this beautiful landscape, enjoying its steep cliffs and forested shores. This is an unbeatable Hudson Valley kayaking experience, if you ask me!
- Wildlife: Keep an eye out for bald eagles, hawks and peregrine falcons soaring overhead.
- Conditions and Fees: You will have to pay for parking in the Cold Spring Foundry Dock Park. The Hudson is an active river, with power boats, jet skis, barges and sail boats. The Hudson has a strong tidal current as well.
- Launch Points: Cold Spring Foundry Dock.
8. Black River, Watertown to Brownville
- Journey Details: This mix of calm water and mild rapids beckon kayakers โ and locals who enjoy watching them float through the rapids. The river flows through a mix of urban and natural landscapes.
- Wildlife: Watch for herons, kingfishers, and songbirds.
- Conditions and Fees: While you should always wear a PFD when you paddle, the rapids make it a must. Be cautious of fallen trees in the river.
- Launch Points: Launch from Watertown’s Whitewater Park.
9. Sacandaga River, Adirondacks
- Journey Details: The West Branch of the Sacandaga provides a gentle float with Adirondack mountain views.
- Wildlife: Look for deer coming to the river’s edge and various bird species. The river is stocked with trout.
- Conditions and Fees: There’s no fee to paddle. While some sections of the Sacandaga are rough, the West Branch is pretty gentle.
- Launch Points: Launch from the Northville Boat Launch.
10. NYS Canalway Water Trail, North of Albany
- Journey Details: A 450-mile canal way trails links New York’s waterways from Albany north to the Vermont border and west to Buffalo. This section of the canal way allows kayakers to experience the serene beauty of the historic canal trail, while imagining what the river looked like before the lock system was put in. Put in at Little Falls, then paddle upriver to Lock 18 enjoying Mohawk Valley views.
- Wildlife: You’ll mostly see ducks, herons, and fish.
- Conditions and Fees: The water is generally calm. There is no fee to paddle, but there may be a small fee for using the locks.
- Launch Points: A popular launch point is Little Falls Rotary Park.
Well, there you have it – 10 epic kayak trips through New York! I hope this list inspires you to add some new kayak adventures to your travel bucket list.
Whether you are renting a boat on vacation or travel with your own kayak, a day on the river is much more comfortable when you have the right gear. So don’t forget to check out my kayaking gear list when planning you trip!
