Anybody ever paddle the Erie Canal? Slept on a lock in Brockton for a roadtrip last year and the idea has stuck in my head ever since. Never kayaked such a distance before so any advice would be appreciated. Planning for late august 2026/2027Mainly how do you handle the car? My current plan is to drive to buffalo, drop my shit somewhere private, park at the airport, and take an uber to the canal. Then when I finish hide my shit, fly/bus back to buffalo, and drive back to Albany to grab my stuff. That seems like a ton of work but I don't have any contacts in the region or friends willing to drive that much just to pick me up/drop me off
>paddling hundreds of miles through petroleum covered lockshave fun bro.
>>2858896Apparently it's not that bad anymore. A bunch of people have done it.
>>2858889no but looks kinohttps://eriecanalway.org/explore/watertrail
>>2858889seven miles I feel wiped so probably 15 miles a day is reasonable sun-up to sun-down. I've been wanting to do some similar and canal water is easy to paddle.
I live right on the canal west of Rochester. I’ve paddled between two towns but that’s all I got. Lots of cool places to camp.
>>2859049What's the traffic like on the canal?
>>2858889>Trying to navigate the Eerie CanalYep that’s a paddlin’
>>2859092In the summer it’s steady, never busy or congested but you will see others. Especially in the canal towns where you can moor up and walk to stores and restaurants
>>2859095Sick thx. I think the move might be September for the weather. Picrel is just Syracuse but it's all the same lat so I'm hoping it's representative. Great thing is there aren't really reservations so I can pivot a bit for the best weather14' kayak off Facebook marketplace. Dry bags and something like a weeks worth of clothes, 3 days of food+water, then wash/restock in towns. Badabing
>>2859098Less clothes, more supplies. You don’t need a fresh pair of undies every day.
>>2859099Duly noted
>>2859099>You don’t need a fresh pair of undies every day.speak for yourself heterosexual scum there's a lot of cool gorges and waterfalls to see in that area i dunno if id waste my time paddling some dinky canal when you could be out walking the rim of a mini gorge.
>>2858889I live in Western NY and have done a few daytrips on the canal with my kayak. It's a pleasant paddle, especially around sunrise/sunset, but would become a bit samey over the entire 300+ mile stretch I'd imagine. I prefer sea kayaking on Lake Ontario when I'm up that way. In Medina (one of the canal villages between Buffalo and Rochester), there's a unique paddling route that takes you to the base of a 40 ft. waterfall. It's right next to the canal and would be a nice side journey that's more interesting than the canal itself. There's a camping spot in Macedon ("Lock 30 campsite" just east of Rochester) and other lodging in various towns along the route.Looks like there are other public and private campsites along the way: https://empiretrail.ny.gov/activities/campinghttps://www.canals.ny.gov/Trails/CampingYou can also bike the entire Erie Canal Trail which is more appealing to me because you can knock out long distances quicker on that flat-ass path.
>>2859113>I live in Western NYdo you know any secret gorges or overlooks?we were trying to figure out, anon said there was some unusual overlook at zoar valley that some of his friends took him to when he was younger but he doesn't remember where (not one of the major ones like peter's point, knife's edge, or the pyramid)
>>2859115Letchworth
>>2859115That was me.Secret Gorges: The Chautauqua Gorge has some amazing overlooks that rival Zoar Valley and Letchworth. Problem is, they're on private/posted land and dicey in spots. Overlooks: Triple Falls Point on Letchworth's eastern side is a hidden gem. No crowds because you have to bushwhack a short ways to get there. You may be able to figure out its location by looking at the park map.
>>2859118>Problem is, they're on private/posted land and dicey in spots:(>You may be able to figure out its location by looking at the park map.probably notI guess I did assume there might be an overlook to the east of peter's point but I couldn't find out exactly where>>2859117stuffed with jeets
>>2859123>probably notHere's what it looks like with a map and coordinates if you're interested. Caltopo shows a side trail going there so you might not have to bushwhack like I did in the past. The three waterfalls seen from Triple Falls Point are Dehgayasoh Falls, Middle Falls and Upper Falls. It's the eastern side's answer to Inspiration Point with a better view and fewer people. May not be completely empty anymore, though, if there's indeed a side path from the FLT branch trail. I may go check it out this weekend since I live only 20 miles away from Letchworth.
>>2859125oh sorry my brain shorted out I thought you meant there's a secret overlook at zoarI love the idea of zoar and how fucking mysterious it is and how the government seems to hate you visiting because of some hazy prospect of drunk teens in flip flops falling off the shale cliffsI definitely need to go back to letchworth tooif you do hike to triple falls point feel free to post a .gpx file here and I will definitely go after you and post the pictures hereI do like the idea of the more forlorn eastern side of letchworth too>ince I live only 20 miles away from Letchworthis there anywhere decent to get lunch? I had a sandwich from a coffee shop and it was just okI also want to go back to stony brook state park, it was annoyingly closed when I went last time due to a mudslide and it had a nice rim trail as wellI enjoyed Treman State Park too, possibly your suggestion as well, and I would like to do more little state parks like that.
>>2859127Letchworth's eastern side does get some traffic during the warmer seasons, mostly along the FLT branch trail and overlook spots. It's never a zoo like the western side can be, though. To be fair, you can also enjoy excellent scenery away from the crowds on the western side. You just have to know where to go. Brian's Diner on Route 36 (just north of Mount Morris) is my go-to place near Letchworth and the Zoar Valley Tavern is my go-to near Zoar. You can't go wrong with either. I've also read good things about the Glen Iris Inn (right inside Letchworth State Park) but never dined there since it seems a bit too fancy for my liking.For a quick grab-n-go snack, there's cheese shop in Perry that has a vending machine where you can buy some cheese off-hours. Good cheese albeit a bit pricey.
>>2859128>Brian's Diner on Route 36 (just north of Mount Morris) is my go-to place near Letchworth and the Zoar Valley Tavern is my go-to near Zoar. You can't go wrong with either. I've also read good things about the Glen Iris Inn (right inside Letchworth State Park) but never dined there since it seems a bit too fancy for my liking.>For a quick grab-n-go snack, there's cheese shop in Perry that has a vending machine where you can buy some cheese off-hours. Good cheese albeit a bit pricey.appreciate the suggestionsthere's a cheese shop in ulysses ny (near the pa border I guess in the headwaters of the genessee river) that I think might be open all hours though I'm not sure exactly and I got some cheese there - very aged cheddar - very good, and they also had raw milk>good things about the Glen Iris Inn (right inside Letchworth State Park)one day I will be rich and have money to stay in the state park itself the last places I stayed in NY state were both comically bad
>>2859128I remember some sort of bougie town on the way to Zoar from where I stayed in Elmira (I know, not again!), maybe Ellicottville but really I forget had lots of people milling about on a weekend in late summer and lots of shops. Do you suppose there's anything redeeming to see in Buffalo? I've never been and I get the impression it's a rough place. I do have a soft spot for rigatoni, but only if the rigatoni are made in house.
>>2859130You can camp inside Letchworth SP (with reservations) if you want a cheaper alternative. For wild camping, nearby Sonyea State Forest has free sites that don't require a reservation. Some sites are along a creek with small waterfalls and others are higher up. That park is like a mini Letchworth with some neat cliffs and falls. >>2859131You're probably thinking of Ellicottville if you came from Elmira. That's a ski town with a bunch of shops, restaurants, and bars that still gets tourists during the skiing off-season. East Aurora is another touristy town but is northeast of Zoar so not along your route. >BuffaloBuffalo has some appealing Art Deco era architecture and top-notch bar food. It's still alright for urbex though nothing like the 1990s and 2000s heydays when I was growing up. The best /out/ish spots are near the lake and river. I especially like the Outer Harbor which is far enough removed from the riff raff that it doesn't even feel like it's part of a city. There's a bike park and paths for riding if you're into that. There's a bike rental station there if you're not bringing your own bike and want to ride. Tifft Nature Preserve is close to the Outer Harbor and has good snowshoeing and wildlife viewing opportunities. Alright for a city park. The Unity Island Park on the westside has some walking and biking paths, and good fishing spots. That area's a bit sketchier, but not as bad as it was decades ago. Keep your belongings hidden if you park there since break-ins are common. Bringing this thread back to kayaking, the Buffalo River has a route that takes you past abandoned grain silos and goes into Lake Erie if you're into sea kayaking. Not the most pristine river though (to put it mildly!) Not sure about rigatoni. That's more of a Utica-Rome specialty.
>>2859141I meant the cabins in Letchworth. I don't camp :(I'm too delicate for that. >East Aurora is another touristy town but is northeast of Zoar so not along your route.I went the scenic way so it is possible. Maybe I will be back to walk around the shops. >Buffalo has some appealing Art Deco era architectureseemed like Rochester had some really nice old buildings not sure if Art Deco but I'd like to go back and see more. Too bad about how scary it was. >Not sure about rigatoni. That's more of a Utica-Rome specialty.which is funny cuz there's nowhere fancy enough in either of those places to actually find homemade pastaI found a deli in Rome that makes their own bread and that was really nice - sort of near a private airport. Best ranked on yelp. You aren't selling me Buffalo! I do like good bar nachos. That's one of the better post-hike meals. I did sea kayaking a bit as a kid. I enjoyed it but it has been a long time. Neat thing to do though.
>>2859143Nta but I liked Rochester waaay more than buffalo. I spent most of time in the the nice college area there. Great sandwich shop (cal somethjng. Calabresas maybe?) and nearby museums. Driving though buffalo was rough. Got turned around at one point and wouldn't have felt comfortable getting gas much less walking around.
>>2859144what museum did you like most in Rochester?Calabresella's - I looked it up >Driving though buffalo was roughif there's nice things and I KNOW where I'm going its fine but randomly ending up in the ghetto is never fun m-maybe we could h-hang out sometime I'm next in the areait would be nice to have someone show me all the cool spots
>>2859143>LetchworthIf you're willing to go halfway between cabins and tents in terms of roughing it, you can reserve one of the lean-to shelters on the eastern side of the park. They require a no-cost reservation. >RochesterDecent architecture. Not quite as good as Buffalo overall. I like the Kodak Building and Warner Castle. There's also an abandoned subway that's popular for urbex adventures. >bar nachosThere used to be a place in Buffalo called Deep South Taco that had outstanding bar nachos. And people on Reddit hated that place because they hosted some conservative sheriff one time lol. I wish I knew of existing places with good nachos. I usually only order those at baseball games.
>>2859123The jeets are worse at Watkins GlenLast time I went to letchworth this past September I only saw one poo
>>2859145Check out the strong museum of play. And the memorial art gallery as well as the George Eastman house in Rochester. Spencerport and fairport are two quant canal towns with food and drinks
>>2859148Brockport too. Has a kayak launch and tones of things to do
>>2859147I mean ideally Watkins Glen I stay nearby (that's expensive), wake up early, and catch the first shuttle of the day so I can do it as a one way hike, but I've full accepted that it will be jammed if I try to do it mid-day or on a weekend. >>2859147when i was at letchworth the jeets were everywhere (admittedly a holiday weekend), the most annoying thing they do is like full long photoshoots with a bunch of different poses takes forever and they have no awareness of others around them
>>2859145Sorry bud, I'm up in NH. I just like traveling around. Always down to share the sites too. In the last 2 years I've looped the great lakes, drove down to mrytle beach then out to Nashville and back, and a quick memorial weekend out/back in CT one year and upstate NY the next. Quite a lot to see and dispersed camping + reciprocal museum orgs keep it financially reasonable. Going to NYC with a friend next month but I think my next big trip will either be paddling the canal or renting a houseboat on the Mississippi in WI and drinking>>2859151Brockport was where I stayed that got the canal trip knocking around in my head. Camping right on the canal in a nice walkable area was really neat but you get drunks wandering by when bars let out. Picrel was the setup. P dead over memorial day weekend which was nice. There's a closed bathroom nearby but you have to get there during business hours and pay a 5$ fee to use it 24/7. I was only around for a day or two and never got the timing right. >>2859148Memorial art gallery was the area i'm talking about. Super easy in and out and the neighborhood is beautiful.
>>2859145>>2859144Here's a general guide of what areas to avoid in Buffalo. The areas outlined in red are rough. Mostly the eastside with a small pocket on the lower west side. South Buffalo is rough-looking and industrial, but isn't too dangerous since it's mostly white Irish people living there. Seneca-Babcock is the only sketchy neighborhood with more riff raff moving in from other parts of town. Niagara Falls can also catch people off guard since there are some bad neighborhoods bordering the main tourist area.
>>2859157Fixed to circle the other half of the Perry Projects that's also pretty bad
>>2859152Are you shocked? Lol
>>2859157>>2859160That makes sense. I would have been around the MLK park area when I was lost. Lot of overgrown yards, empty lots, and abandoned vehicles. No bueno
>>2859156So in between Brockport and spencerport there is a little place called Adams basin. About 100 yards east of the lift bridge is a small park with a picnic table and fire pit where you are also allowed to camp. It’s ez to miss because it’s very wooded. When I bike the canal trial I stop and rest there. I might camp there for the fuck of it as it’s only ten minutes from my house.
>>2859152>the most annoying thing they do is like full long photoshoots with a bunch of different poses takes forever and they have no awareness of others around themVery true. That and no concept of personal space. The overlook on Niagara was packed that weekend and the foreign tourists just rub right up against you. Drove me nuts.
>>2859166Niagara Falls is a lost cause. It might as well be Mumbai
>>2859165Snick Hawkins Park? I'll make a note of that. The brockton launch was near perfect tho. Just wish I had the bathroom key. 24/7 Kwik trip up the street wasn't the end of the world tho
>>2859168Yup that’s it!
>>2859164Your instincts were right. The areas just east, southeast, and south of MLK Park are some of the most dangerous hoods in all of New York State.
>>2859171And my dumbass driving through in a neon orange car. Gotta love it
>>2859175Gangsta. Most people coming from the east/airport will drive into Buffalo on the 33 expressway to avoid the eastside ghetto. And drive straight downtown or turn onto the 198 parkway to get into the nicest area of the city around Delaware Park. It's a totally different scene at that park vs MLK.
>>2859179I think it’s universal knowledge at this point that anywhere named MLK Park MLK Boulevard or MLK Highway is going to be ghetto
Anyways. What's a good logic for the car? Maybe driving to buffalo then having a friend fly to buffalo and drive to Albany then fly home so my car is at the end waiting for me. That seems so silly but I can't come up with a better method.
>>2859184I can’t remember where but online there’s either a webpage or a book that gives you a whole guy devoting the canal where the haul outs are where you can park everything like that and I’m sure there’s something for kayaks in there
>>2859187Guide *
>>2859184A one-way rental could work. Rent a vehicle in Albany with roof support for the kayak (call beforehand to check availability). Drive to Buffalo with the kayak, drop the car off at a Buffalo rental location, and then paddle back to Albany. You may be charged extra for a one-way rental but the total cost shouldn't be too expensive since you would only need to rent for one day.
>>2859199You would just need a place to lock your kayak before dropping off the rental vehicle at the Buffalo-area location. Somewhere near the Erie Canal's western terminus at the Niagara River. Niawanda Park may be an option for that 43.016480, -78.891867
>>2859156>Sorry bud, I'm up in NH.I mean the guy who said he lives 20 miles away from Letchworth gorge. >>2859163a little? it's always annoying to behold
>>2859199>>2859202>rental car with a roof rackOh neat. Didn't know they had those. Yeah that'd certainly be less steps and I'd imagine much cheaper than flights all over the place.
>>2859203Sure, if I come across one of your posts while your in this area or heading out this way. I only come here occasionally so I might not see it. >>2859202Found a better spot where you can temporarily lock your kayak at the western terminus: Tonawanda Public Dock (43.02073, -78.87666). Very safe area with security cameras.
>>2859206ur the anon who lives in western ny? maybe you could drop an email address or something I could contact you with? I won't be visiting until spring at the earliest. I guess I can just make a post when I'm actually planning to visit but it would be nice to have more of a sure thing you seem to know more about the gorges of ny than anyone else here and it would be nice to have someone to lead me around and not have to figure out where all the things are and id be happy to pay for your lunch or gas to make it worth your while it would also be REALLY nice to find someone I could run a shuttle with at watkins glen so im not dependent on the hours of their shuttle but that's just dreamingwere you raise in western ny?
>>2859207There are a few anons from WNY I think. I'm the one who lives in Wyoming County between Letchworth and Zoar. I grew up in the area and have spent time in nearly every public land and significant waterway in the region. If you have a throwaway email, you could post it here it and I'll shoot you an email. IIRC, you're the anon who said he can't do strenuous hikes so I will keep that in mind when coming up with suggestions. Don't worry about lunch or gas though I appreciate the offer.
>>2859209>I'm the one who lives in Wyoming County between Letchworth and Zoar. I grew up in the area and have spent time in nearly every public land and significant waterway in the region.Yeah I feel like there's only one of you. You told me to go to Treman State Park and it was really nice and I wouldn't have known about it otherwise. >IIRC, you're the anon who said he can't do strenuous hikes yupslowhiker9438@proton.me
I'll report back any good tidbits
>>2859491this seems really nice but westernnyanon said the sea kayaking in the area is more fun and I'm inclined to believe himit's too bad it seems like all the cool thousand islands stuff involves having to go through customs the concept of a border crossing gives me a panic attack
>estimated duration is 2.5-3 weeks for end to end>get a nice "if found" sticker from the coast guard for free https://www.wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=130-04-08&category=if-found-contact>Joseph dart invented the steam-powered grain elevator in 1842. Gtk >guide has you starting in buffalo then up niagra river. harlem rd fishing site for the full 359.1 miles>actual canal starts at abt mile 339 dropping at niawanda like anon mentioned. Very commercial around buffalo so it would be safer/easier to drop here buuuuut I mean to do /almost/ the whole thing isn't as fun>cool aquaduct ruins in Montezuma >there are a few places where you're going upstream even when traveling east>canal markers run across the middle of onieda lake but the rec route is to follow the shoreline>couple lighthousesThe rest is a super granular list of each bridge and associated mile marker
>>2859498Idk I like the idea of long solitary trip but in nature. I've done a few 5000 mile road trips alone and I don't mind it
