ADIRONDACK WATERWAYS

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ADIRONDACK REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCIL VisitAdirondacks.com

Adirondack Waterways

Paddle the Waters of a Wilderness Like No Other There are more than 3,000 lakes and ponds and 6,000 miles of rivers and streams in the Adirondacks. Paddling ranges from roiling white- Adirondack Region Information Centers water chutes to glassy ponds where deer stop to drink; from a short circuit around a scenic lake to a multi-day river and lake trip. Regional Office of Sustainable This is a general guide to locations for paddling opportunities. Once you decide on a location, get yourself a good topographic There is no better place Tourism/Lake Placid CVB map and/or guidebook. Special usage regulations may apply along some routes, so refer to the appropriate Department of 518-523-2445 or 800-447-5224 Environmental Conservation publications or call them for specific information (see left). Much of the lands that border the routes to put GORE-TEX® gear www.lakeplacid.com identified in this guide are privately owned. State navigation law allows for paddlers to travel on private lands for short distances through its paces than amid [email protected] to bypass obstacles in the waterway. However, entering private lands for any other reason, including putting in and taking out, Lewis County Tourism is trespassing, unless permission has been granted from the landowner. If you lack experience or gear, knowledgeable guides and the trails and waterways 800-724-0242 www. outfitters will be happy to make your outing memorable. adirondackstughill.com of the six-million-acre [email protected] Adirondack Guidebooks and Maps . It’s a Adirondack Coast Visitors and Adirondack Regional Tourism guidebooks Discover the Adirondacks Series Adirondack Map Series are marked with point to point mileage. Council Convention Bureau Northern Adirondacks, South Central Series of five topographic trail maps: Designated wilderness and wild forest tough stretch of country. Adirondack Canoe Waters: North Adirondacks, West Central Adirondacks, Central Mountains, High Peaks Region, areas, access and boat launch sites, Comprehensive travel information (Clinton County) parking, leantos and portage trails. 518-563-1000 or 877-242-6752 Flow Adirondack High Peaks, Southern Lake George Region, Northwest Lakes, Dress appropriately – for a seven-county region. Paul Jamieson and Donald Morris Adirondacks, Southeastern Adirondacks, West-Central Wilderness Area. Scale: Waterproof. Scale: 1:75,000. www.VisitAdirondacks.com www.goadirondack.com Southwestern Adirondacks, Eastern 1:62,500. Find at area sporting goods Map 742: Lake Placid/High Peaks Adirondack Passage: Adirondacks, Central Adirondacks, stores. www.adirondackmaps.com Map 743: Lake George/Great Sacandaga choose GORE-TEX® brand. St. Lawrence County Chamber The Cruise of the Canoe Map 744: Northville/ Northwestern Adirondacks, Northeastern Adirondack Paddler’s Map Franklin County Tourism of Commerce Sairy Gamp Christine Jerome Adirondacks. Barbara McMartin Map 745: Old Forge/Oswegatchie for Canoe & Kayak Travel Map 746: Saranac/Paul Smiths 518-483-9470 or 800-709-4895 315-386-4000 or 877-228-7810 Adirondack Waterfall Guide Fun on Flatwater Large waterproof topographic map. NY State Atlas and Gazetteer www.adirondacklakes.com www.northcountryguide.com Russell Dunn An Introduction to Adirondack Includes the Saranac Lakes Chain and Waterproof, windproof, Adirondack Canoe Routes? Canoeing. Barbara McMartin headwater ponds, St. Regis Lakes and DeLorme Mapping www.delorme. Hamilton County Warren County Tourism William Howard Longstreet Highroad Guide St. Regis Canoe Area, Osgood River com and breathable. 518-761-6366 or and Rainbow Lake area, Santa Clara Tourism Bob Marshal in the Adirondacks to the Adirondacks Tract (St. Regis River and Madawaska U.S.G.S. Topographic Maps 518-548-3076 or 800-648-5239 800-365-1050 ext. 908 www. Writings of a Pioneering Wilderness Phil Brown Area), Five Ponds Wilderness and Available at area sporting goods Guaranteed. www.adirondackexperience.com visitlakegeorge.com Preservationist. Edited by Phil Brown Quiet Water Canoe, New York Oswegatchie River, William C. Whitney stores. John Hayes and Alex Wilson Wilderness (Little Tupper Lake, Round [email protected] Canoe and Kayak Guide: Lake and Lake Lila), Cranberry Lake Northern Forest Canoe East-Central New York State Reflections from Canoe Country: Wild Forest, Raquette River (Long Lake Trail Map Edited by Kathie Armstrong Paddling the Waters to below Tupper Lake), Bog River Flow Adirondack North Country (west): and Chet Harvey. and . Designated wilderness/ Fulton Chain of Lakes to Long Lake. NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation (DEC) of the Adirondacks and Canada wild forest areas, access and boat launch Adirondack North Country (central): Canoe Guide to Western and Christopher Angus sites, parking, portage trails, campsites, Long Lake to Saranac River. Adirondack For trail conditions, backcountry information and permits, fishing and Central New York State lean-tos and hiking trails. Scale:1:50,000. North Country (east): Saranac River to Edited by Mark Freeman. www.canoeoutfitters.com . hunting regulations and licenses, contact the DEC offices listed below. Maps Normal office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm. Canoeing the Adirondacks Adirondack Canoe Map National Geographic Trails NFCT Safety Brochures: with Nessmuk Old Forge to and Illustrated Map Series: The Paddler’s Safety Checklist DEC Headquarters The Adirondack Letters of George the Saranac Lakes/Saint Regis Canoe Adirondack Park Wear It! Life Jackets Matter 625 Broadway, Albany, NY Washington Sears. George Washington Area. Available at local sporting goods Series of five topographic maps. Trails Cold Water Survival DEC Region 6 Sears. Dan Brenan, editor. stores. www.adirondackmaps.com 518-402-8013 St. Lawrence, Lewis, Herkimer, www.dec.state.ny.us Experience more... Jefferson & Oneida Counties Universally Accessible Waterways in the Adirondacks DEC Region 5 DEC Region 6 Headquarters: Watertown, 315-785-2239 Recreational opportunities for people with mobility impairments can be found throughout the Adirondacks. Look for universally acces- Clinton, Franklin, Essex, sible facilities such as docks, outhouses and viewing platforms at places such as Ausable Marsh (pg. 9), Lampson Falls (pg. 11), Hamilton, Warren, Fulton, DEC Region 6 Sub-Offices: Potsdam, 315-265-3090 Sand Pond-Mud Pond Area on the West Branch Oswegatchie River (pg. 14), Francis Lake (pg. 14) and Moss Lake (pg. 14). Scenic Saratoga & Washington Herkimer, 315-866-6330 boat tours can be enjoyed on many Adirondack lakes. John Dillon Park, just north of Long Lake, is a state-of-the-art facility (www. Counties Lowville, 315-376-3521 dillonpark.org) that does it all. Check with full-service outfitters for more options. gore-tex.com DEC Region 5 Headquarters: Ray Brook, 518-897-1200 Forest Preserve Campgrounds Reservations 800-456-CAMP Disclaimer: By its compilation and distribution of this brochure, the Adirondack DEC Region 5 Sub-Offices: Cover photo: Regional Tourism Council assumes no responsibility of any nature for dam- © Shaun Ondak gore-tex.com/facebook www.reserveamerica.com ages or injury to persons or property arising out of or resulting from travel on Northville, 518-863-4545 John Farrell, JMF Publishing. Inc. any of the routes described herein, or from any service, sales or accommoda- Warrensburg, 518-623-1200 tions provided by the businesses represented herein, and accordingly, does twitter.com/GORETEX_brand disclaim any and all liability on its part for such damages or injuries should Park-wide DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Search and Rescue Published and distributed by Adirondack Regional Tourism Council they occur. © All rights reserved. Printed in the USA GORE, GORE-TEX, Guaranteed To Keep You Dry and designs are trademarks of W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., © 2011 W.L. Gore & Associates Inc., 1-800-GORE-TEX and Forest Fire Hotline: 518-891-0235 PO Box 911, Lake Placid NY 12946 • www.VisitAdirondacks.com

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Adirondack Waterways Map Index Deer River, Hatch Brook, Lake Kushaqua, Osgood Pond & River, Madawaska Flow & Quebec Brook, Rainbow Lake, St. Regis River

How to use the Descriptions & Maps MAP KEY Get more information Above High Falls is the 10-mile flatwater, Deer River paddling routes Meadows. Below High Falls, the river drops rapidly motorized vessels prohibited The descriptions are brief and the maps rudimentary—the infor- ■ with a mix of moving flatwater and rapids. Note that some restrictions to motorized vessels mation provided here is not intended to be used as a working field paddlers need to carry around the falls. Access is ■ guide. The complex nature of the waterways found in the Adirondacks via dirt roads in Deer River State Forest. Beware of ■ physical barriers to motorized vessels, requires that you obtain a good map and guidebook before setting out. rapids. ex. waterfalls. culverts, etc. The guidebooks and maps will not only help make your outing a safer one, they will also enhance your experience by providing interesting background information on the areas you will be visiting. A list of guidebooks and maps is found on page 19. Area and regional information centers and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are also good sources of more information (see page 3). Whitewater Whitewater trips require special skills and equipment. See International Scale of River Difficulty below. It is essential to obtain good maps and guidebooks before venturing out to do any whitewater trips. If you don’t have the necessary skills or equipment, consider tak- ing a guided trip with outfitters who provide these services. Water Levels Adequate water levels are essential to running most of the river and whitewater routes in this brochure. Extreme water levels will change the difficulty classification of rivers (see below). Minimum and ideal levels are suggested in guidebooks. Most river routes are best done in the Spring (April to May), Fall or after periods of heavy rain. Personal Floatation Devices: New York State Law requires all boats and canoes must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wear- able Personal Floatation Device (PFD) for each person in the boat. State law also requires that children must be wearing a PFD, and highly recommend that all occupants wear a PFD. See page 11 for Waterways to the West.

International Scale of River Difficulty See page 8 and 9 for Waterways to the East. Class I. Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. Few or no obstructions. Class II. Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide, clear channels that are obvious without scouting. Some maneuvering is required. Class III. Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamp- ing an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require scouting from shore. Class IV. Long, difficult rapids with constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scouting from shore is often necessary, and conditions make rescue difficult. Generally not possible for open canoes. Boaters in covered canoes and kayaks should be able to Eskimo roll. Class V. Extremely difficult, long, and very violent rapids with highly congested routes which nearly always must be scouted from shore. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is a significant hazard to life in event of a mishap. Ability to Eskimo roll is essential for kay- aks and canoes. Class VI. Difficulties of Class V carried to the extreme of navigabil- ity. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For teams of experts only, after close study and with all precautions taken. Cold water temperatures below 50 degrees and extended trips in remote areas increase normal difficulty by one class level. See page 8 for Waterways to the South. 6 7 Adirondack Waterways Adirondack Waterways

Ausable River, Chubb River, Saranac Lakes Chain, Saranac River, Saranac River Headwaters, St. Regis Canoe Area, St. Regis Lakes Ausable River, Chateaugay Lakes, Chazy Lake, Great Chazy River, Lake Champlain North, Saranac River

See page 7 and 9 for Waterways to the North. See page 10 for Waterways to the East. See page 11 for Waterways to the West. See page 7 and 8 for Waterways to the West.

See page 12 and 13 for Waterways to the South. See page 10 for Waterways to the South. 8 9 Adirondack Waterways Adirondack Waterways

Boquet River, Lake Champlain, Silver Lake, Taylor Pond Black Lake, Cranberry Lake, Grass River, Little River, Massawepie Area, Oswegatchie River, Raquette River

See page 9 for Waterways to the North. MAP KEY paddling routes ■ motorized vessels prohibited ■ some restrictions to motorized vessels ■ physical barriers to motorized vessels, ex. waterfalls. culverts, etc. See page 8 for Waterways to the West. See page 7, 8 and 12 for Waterways to the East.

Paddlers should check guidebooks and other sources to determine where legal put in and take out sites are located.

See page 13 for Waterways to the South. See page 12 and 14 for Waterways to the South. 10 11 Adirondack Waterways Adirondack Waterways

Bog River, Blue Mtn. Lake, Cranberry Lake, Forked Lake, Lake Lila, Long Lake, Lows Lake, Oswegatchie River, Raquette Lake & River, Tupper Lake, Whitney Wilderness Harris Lake, Henderson Lake, Hudson River, Newcomb Lake, Rich Lake, Schroon River & Lake

See page 7, 8 and 11 for Waterways to the North. See page 8 for Waterways to the North. See page 12 for Waterways to the West. See page 10 for Waterways to the East. See page 8 and 13 for Waterways to the East. See page 11 and 14 for Waterways to the West.

Avoid approaching wildlife too closely, MAP KEY especially when they are paddling routes nesting or have young MAP KEY ■ motorized vessels prohibited with them. paddling routes ■ some restrictions to motorized vessels ■ motorized vessels prohibited ■ physical barriers to motorized vessels, ■ some restrictions to motorized vessels ex. waterfalls. culverts, etc. ■ physical barriers to motorized vessels, ex. waterfalls. culverts, etc.

See page 14 and 15 for Waterways to the South. See page 15 for Waterways to the South. 12 13 Adirondack Waterways Adirondack Waterways

Beaver River, Big Moose Lake, Black River, Fulton Chain of Lakes, Francis Lake, Moose River, Moss Lake, Sand Pond-Mud Pond, Stillwater Reservoir Cedar River, Hudson River, Indian Lake, Jessup River, Kunjamuk Creek, Lake George, Piseco Lake, Sacandaga River, Schroon River

See page 11 and 12 for Waterways to the North. See page 12 and 13 for Waterways to the North. MAP KEY paddling routes ■ motorized vessels prohibited ■ some restrictions to motorized vessels ■ physical barriers to motorized vessels, ex. waterfalls. culverts, etc. See page 14 for Waterways to the West. See page 12 and 15 for Waterways to the East.

Please be considerate of other users on the waterways. Many of the waterways are utilized by motorboats; paddlers should avoid using marked channels or keep to the edge of them as much as possible.

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20 21 Adirondack Waterways Adirondack Waterways Paddle the Adirondack Lakes

Spectacular Canoe and Kayak Water including 689 Lakes and Ponds • Saranac Lake Chain • St. Regis Wilderness Canoe Area • Raquette River to Tupper Lake

Get a free Adirondack Lake Country Canoe and Kayak Brochure ... with detailed canoe route information, map and other resources. Call 800-709-4895 or visit adirondacklakes.com

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