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Paddling

Paddling

Paddling


Glide Through Historic Waterways

Thousands of miles of interconnected streams, rivers, lakes, and canals make the Finger Lakes region an extraordinary destination to kayak, canoe, and paddleboard. Whether you’re a seasoned or a first-time paddler, the region welcomes everyone with accessible launches, rentals, and lessons. Choose your own adventure—launch from major cities onto vibrant canalways and vast lakes, or set off from undeveloped shores onto quiet inlets and wild rivers for leisurely paddles surrounded only by the sights and sounds of nature. Explore marshes and waterfalls on guided tours, or challenge yourself with multi-day expeditions. With inclusive options for all ages and abilities, the Finger Lakes region promises unforgettable paddling adventures for the whole family.

Outdoor Enthusiasts (as seen in video)

Debbie Lyon and Program Participants, Saunders Finger Lakes Museum. Paddle’N’More Youth Participants. Jennifer Wells, Paddle’N’More. Conrad Baker, Letchworth State Park. Paul Cook. Anita O’Brien, Rochester Accessible Adventures. The Muller Family (Chris, Corinne, Caleb, and Joshua). Peter Abele, Erie Canal Boat Company. Kit Bernardi, Travel Writer. Lisa DeFrancesco, Cayuga-Seneca Canal Kayak Tours at Canalside Experiences, Danny Lippincott, Rochester Accessible Adventures.


Locations to Explore (as seen in video)

Skaneateles Lake, Onondaga County

Keuka Lake, Yates County

Cayuga Lake, Tompkins County

Cayuga-Seneca Canal, Seneca County

Letchworth State Park, Livingston County

Erie Canal, Fairport, Monroe County

Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, Yates County

Naples Boat Launch, Canandaigua Lake, Ontario County

Susquehanna River near Owego, Tioga County

Allan H. Treman State Park Marina, Tompkins County

Onondaga Lake, Onondaga County

Blog

Learn more about the extraordinary people and places of the Finger Lakes region! What attracts you as a visitor to the Finger Lakes is also what brought many of us here – the land, the water, the cozy communities, and the access to bigger cities and all that they offer! Let us welcome you to the places we love and introduce you to the people who make it so special.

What The Press Is Saying

Stewardship

When we do guided paddles—the various people who come, come for various different reasons. And some people want to get in a workout … some people like to sit in the wetlands, some people like to do some birding. … And that makes my day when I see someone else stopping and appreciating what we have here.

Debbie Lyon

Having access to these lakes, to the park systems that are around the lakes is such a wonderful thing for both community members and visitors.

Jennifer Wells

We consider this one of the Premier Family-Friendly Inclusive Areas to go paddling and cycling in the country, if not the world.

Peter Abele

Being on the lake is like living in a postcard. Every day, I get to introduce people to a place that feels like a hidden paradise.

Fred Grabowski

When you’re in a human powered boat as opposed to a motorboat, there are so many things to see and hear.

Debbie Lyon

Check Out Even More Outdoor Experiences

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