Canoe & 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 Adirondack waterways. 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.  Often 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!

For some paddle trip ideas please see below. Feel free to give a call for other area trips not listed below.

  • Paddle to The Wild Center

    From our Tupper Lake location enjoy a day or 1/2 day ( 4 hrs min) exploring the river viewing wildlife then pulling right up to the Wild Center dock for a museum tour and/or lunch. Enjoy the rare opportunity to paddle around a naturally formed oxbow in the river for a fun addition to the trip. 5-6 miles. A pre- reservation for The Wild Center is required, please call them directly in advance. Look at Route

  • Simond Pond and Raquette River Loop

    A great 1-2 hour loop starting from our Tupper Lake location. This is the perfect trip for beginners, families, birders or anyone looking for a quick outing on our beautiful neighboring pond and river. 2 miles

  • Stony Creek Ponds to Axton Landing

    1/2 -1 Day -Easy, small winding stream, pond, and river travel. Good picnic and swimming spots. Plentiful bird life. No portages. A great beginner trip. 3-4 miles. Look at Route

  • Bog River Flow/Lows Lake

    1-5 Days and 1 Portage - Beautiful non-motor boat wilderness area with a gentle river, quiet ponds and a large island studded lake. From scenic overlooks to remote ponds with plentiful bird life, optional side hikes and nice primitive campsites along the way, a great place to spend time and explore. Good fishing. 6-25 miles. Look at Route

  • Stoney Creek Ponds or Axton Landing to the Crusher(Raquette River Access Site) via the Raquette River

    1 Day - Pond, river and stream travel. No portages. Good picnic and swimming spots and plentiful bird life. An easy, relaxed day trip down the scenic Raquette River. 11-14 miles. Look at Route

  • Little Tupper Lake & Round Lake

    1-4 Days - Little Tupper Lake & Round Lake (Whitney Park Canoe Area): 1-4 days. A beautiful motor-less area with plentiful wildlife especially loons and great island camp sites. Paddle directly into Round Lake for a day trip or over night or portage into remote Rock Pond at the far end of Little Tupper Lake. 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 and explore. 14-26 miles. Look at Route

  • Axton Landing to Raquette Falls on the Raquette River

    1-2 Days - Scenic river travel. Unobstructed, gentle current. Optional hiking along the falls and beyond. Fine swimming, good fishing, birds, ducks, beaver, otter and deer usually seen along route. Return via the same route. 12 miles Look at Route

  • The Crusher to Tupper Lake (Moody Launch or RRO)

    1/2 - 1 Day - A nice flat water paddle on the Raquette River. Enjoy the rare opportunity to paddle around a naturally formed oxbow in the river for a fun addition to the trip. Good wildlife viewing along the way especially around the Moody Marsh. 9 miles.

  • Lake Lila

    1-3 days - 1 Portage - A primitive area prohibiting the use of motorized vehicles. Large white pines, natural sandy beaches and island camping and optional hike up Mount Frederica. Wildlife in abundance and good fishing. This is best done as an overnight trip to truly enjoy the area and to compensate for the time and effort to access it. Look at Route

  • Middle Saranac Lake

    1-3 Days - 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 if launching from South Creek. Can be accessed via a portage from Upper Saranac Lake or Lower Saranac Lake via lock system. Look at Route

  • Fish Creek Ponds Loop

    1-2 Days and 4 Portages - A popular loop exploring 7 ponds and a creek. Small portages, relatively flat and well used. Great for those looking to become more comfortable portaging a boat. Several ponds of varying personalities, striking creek travel that adds contrast to the more open water of the ponds. 6-12 miles. Look at Route

  • Paul Smiths through the St. Regis Canoe Area

    1-3 Days and 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 Look at Route

  • St. Regis Canoe Area/ Nine Carries

    1-4 Days and 9 Carries - Classic wilderness trip in a beautiful non-motor boat area.Occassional beaches with sandy swim spots, great fishing and camping. Optional hike up Long Pond Mountain. Strenuous area with several portages of varying difficulty rewarded with a greater sense of remote. 13-18 miles Look at Route

  • St Regis Ponds Area

    1-5 Days and 10-14 Portages - The numerous ponds each one having its distinctive character are remote and prohibit the use of motorized vehicles. How deep into this area you travel is limited only by how far you are willing to portage your boat. Whether it is one portage or five, this area doesn't disappoint. Look at Route

  • LONG LAKE, NY TO TUPPER LAKE, NY

    3-4 Days and 1 Portage - A classic lake and flat water scenic river trip. Part of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, this trip follows a historic Adirondack canoe route that was frequently used by early guides and Natives alike. 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. Look at Route

  • Bog River-Oswegatchie River Traverse

    3-7 Days and 4 Portages - Begins just South of Tupper Lake on the Bog River at Lows lower dam, enters Lows Lake, 1 mile 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 Look at Route

  • Cranberry Lake

    3-7 Days and 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 and hiking opportunities not this vast wilderness abound. The third largest lake in the Adirondacks, caution should be taken with winds. Look at Route

  • St. Regis Canoe Area to Lake Kushaqua

    3-4 Days and 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. A more challenging trip, while not the most remote route, it provides great introduction to a trip with multiple portages and beautiful mountain views. 20-23 miles. Look at Route

  • Little Tupper Lake to Lake Lila Traverse

    2-4 Days and 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. Look at Route

  • Lake Lila to Lows Lake/Bog River Lower Dam

    2-4 days, 4 portages. A very challenging but beautiful wilderness route with rough carry trails not fully established. You need good route finding skills for this wilderness traverse. Look at Route

  • St. Regis Canoe Area to Tupper Lake

    2-4 Days and 1 Portage - A combination of lakes, ponds, river and stream travel through beautiful scenic waterways. Optional side trip to Raquette Falls. 35+ miles. Look at Route

  • Oswegatchie River (East Branch)

    2-4 Days - A small remote wilderness stream trip up to beautiful High Falls with optional hikes into the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. Return via the same route. No motorized vehicles. 2 optional portages, although occasional carries over beaver dams should be expected. Wildlife in this remote area include beaver, muskrat, numerous boreal birds, deer and even moose. Look at Route

  • The Saranac Lakes

    2-5 Days and 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. Look at Route

  • Blue Mtn Lake to Tupper Lake or St. Regis Canoe Area

    5-7 Days and 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 Look at Route

  • Old Forge to Saranac Lakes

    8-10 Days and 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 in the summer route so plan for late spring or early fall to take advantage of quieter waters if desired. Section 1 & 2 of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. 95 miles Look at Route

  • Whitney Wilderness Loop

    6-7 Days and 17 Carries (some sections of this route include whitewater/carry skills). This is a strenuous route which includes Round Lake, Little Tupper, Lila, Bog Lake, and the Bog River through Lows Lake to Lows Lower Dam Access. It travels through a remote and rugged wilderness area with several unmarked, long and rough Carrys requiring good route finding and portaging skills. Many people shorten this by doing the Little Tupper Lake to Lake Lila route and/or continue on to Lows Lake and Lows Lower Dam to make it a 5-6 day trip.

Start your Adirondack
Adventure Today!

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost

RSVP