One of the best parts of living in New York is the abundance of water. We have so many lakes, ponds, rivers, and creeks, many of which are excellent places to put in a canoe or kayak. While there are many places to paddle in the Finger Lakes, some are truly out of this world. We have discovered some of the best places in the Finger Lakes to paddle, and we want to share them with you.
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Ellison Park
Irondequoit Creek runs through the park, and you can enjoy a peaceful paddle through reed-lined canals near Irondequoit Bay. There are miles of canals to kayak, and the wildlife here is seriously abundant. We always see lots of swans and geese nesting here and beavers. There are several places you can launch within the park, but if you want to be near the Irondequoit Bay end, there is a small parking lot on Empire Blvd.
Sodus Bay
There are lots of places in and around Sodus Bay to kayak. This was one of my favorite places to paddle. Sodus Bay has a lot of creeks that flow into it, so there are some neat places to discover. We are able to paddle back into some of the tributaries to explore, and we encounter all sorts of wildlife. We actually had the opportunity to paddle the back end of one of the places we enjoy hiking, the Bentley Bonds Trail. We saw what we believed to be an otter swimming through the water (it might have been a beaver. Regardless…it was cool!) We usually park alongside the road somewhere (such as the bridge on route 143 (Ridge Rd) and paddle away.)
Honeoye Lake
Many of the Finger Lakes are great for kayaking and canoeing, especially the smaller ones, like Honeoye Lake. There are several places to put in. If you choose to stay near the south end of the lake, you can put in at Sandy Bottom Park. However, if you want to explore the Inlet, which I highly recommend, you will want to use the state boat launch on East Lake Rd. A canal goes back into the inlet and into the Honeoye Lake Wildlife Management Area. We have visited this area many times, but I think the wildest was when we canoed the canal in the winter. The sound of the ice breaking as we canoed through it was like nothing I had ever experienced before.
Canadice Lake
This is a favorite kayak/canoe spot in the Finger Lakes because there are no motorized boats on this lake. There are many places along Canadice Lake Rd where you can pull over, and take a short walk to the water to launch. The crystal clear water is what makes kayaking here so amazing. While this is a popular paddling destination, and the road can look congested with cars, there is plenty of room for people to spread out on the lake.
If you don’t have a kayak or canoe (or even a stand-up paddleboard) and want to get out on the water, reach out to our friends at Canadice Lake Outfitter. They rent kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and bikes.
Hemlock Lake
Hemlock Lake was once a vacation hot spot back in the 1800s. People travel from far and wide to sail on the beautiful clear waters of this lake. This lake is the source of drinking water for the city of Rochester, so like Canadice Lake, no powerboats are allowed on the lake. Many paddlers prefer this, as you don’t have to deal with the wakes that powerboats create. There is a boat launch on route 15A where you can put in.
Bear Creek Harbor & Memorial Park
Bear Creek is an excellent launching spot for kayaking and canoeing. Kayakers can enjoy scenic rocky shorelines and the crystal clear water of Lake Ontario. I have often been blown away by how much the lake here reminds me of the ocean. If you kayak here on a calm day, it is hard to determine where the lake ends, and the sky begins.
Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area
This is one of the best-kept secrets of the Finger Lakes. Hidden behind Seneca Lake is a spectacular Wildlife Management Area. This area is known for its abundant wildlife and stunning beauty. There are several places to put in along Rock Cabin Road. I found that the best was the small dock that is near the lookout tower. There is a lot of beaver activity in the area as well.
Maxwell Creek
Maxwell Creek is a tributary of Lake Ontario, and kayakers can paddle out to the Lake from the fishing access area. This is an excellent place to launch because of the unique sites easily reached here, such as the bluffs at Beechwood State Park, the scenic shoreline, and if you are ambitious, the Sodus Bay Lighthouse.
Canandaigua Lake Inlet
Canandaigua Lake inlet has always been one of my absolute favorite places to paddle. This is one of the most tranquil spots I have found. Although Canandaigua Lake is a busy lake, the inlet is like being in a whole other world. We have rarely seen another person in the inlet when we have paddled here. There are literally miles of canoe trails to traverse. There are several places to put in. Two handicap-accessible kayak/canoe launches are available. One is located at the Woodville Boat Launch on Route 21, and the other one is located at the High Tor West River Area Boat Launch. There is also a hand launch area on Sunnyside Rd. The Woodville Boat Launch launches directly into Canandaigua Lake but within easy reach of the inlet.
Conesus Lake Wildlife Management Area
Imagine canoeing along the waterways of this Wildlife Management Area and seeing a Bald Eagle soar overhead. The Conesus Lake Wildlife Management Area is the nesting grounds of a pair of Bald Eagles, and people kayaking through the area can view them if they keep their eyes peeled and sometimes even spot their nest. The inlet is 1120 acres of wetlands that can be easily toured by canoe or kayak. There is a hand launch at the end of the Lake just off of West Lake Rd.
Seneca River (Montezuma NWR Area)
The Seneca River runs alongside the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. While kayaking within the refuge itself is prohibited, traveling down the Seneca River in a kayak or canoe might just be the next best thing. This area is known for its fantastic fishing and River Otters. Make sure you have your life jackets or some sort of flotation device. The DEC heavily patrols this area in boats, and they will stop you to ensure that you have all the proper safety equipment. We ourselves were stopped here by the DEC, and they were checking everyone to make sure that had all the proper equipment. Even they are mostly checking powerboats; if you are in a kayak or a canoe, they will stop you regardless.
Chemung River
The Chemung River is approximately 45 miles long, but there is a section of the river that is particularly spectacular for kayakers and canoers. The Chemung River Palisades is a 6-mile stretch of the river where the enormous cliffs line the shore. This is a popular section of the river. There are two places to put your kayak or canoe in, in the town of Big Flats. One is a DEC launch on Route 352 that can accommodate approximately 12 cars. The other is Bottcher’s Landing, which is located on South Corning Rd. This launch can only accommodate six vehicles.
Dorothy Mcllroy Bird Sanctuary
This bird sanctuary is located in the Lake Como outlet. Kayakers can enjoy the 259 acres of the wetland area. Although the hiking trail here is short, the kayak and canoeing trails seem endless. There is lots of beaver activity here and a large population of birds that have made this sanctuary their breeding grounds, such as Canada Warbler, Hermit Thrush, and Winter Wren. The Dorothy McIlory Bird Sanctuary is part of the Greater Summerhill Important Bird Area or IBA. Important Bird Areas are habitats that support rare and endangered bird species. There is a free boat launch at the Como Lake Inn located at 1307 Lake Rd.
Owasco Flats
This is one of the prettiest kayaking spots in the state. If the inlet is really flowing when the water table is high, you can travel quite far up the inlet. This floodplain, known as the Owasco Flats, is ideal for paddling. There is a wildlife management area here, which makes this beautiful area a sanctuary for wildlife. Bird watchers and fishermen flock (no pun intended) to this destination for the vast population of fish (especially rainbow trout in the spring) and birds. Like the Dorothy McIlory Bird Sanctuary, The Owasco Flats is also part of the Summerhill Important Bird Area. This area is a fantastic area to spot rare and endangered birds.
Ganargua Creek at Norsen Bridge Park
This is a fantastic paddling destination because it honestly feels like you are completely cut off from the world. The lush green woods that line the banks of Ganargua Creek create a privacy screen and a tunnel, making this an almost private place to paddle. The number of downed trees in the creek is another element that makes this destination feel rustic and remote.
Chimney Bluffs
Chimney Bluffs is one of the most amazing places that you can visit in New York State. Located near Sodus Bay, this natural marvel is a popular spot that draws hundreds of hikers and picnickers every year. The Bluffs are impressive up close but really best seen from the water. Paddlers get a stunning view of these massive cliffs that have been eroded over time, creating these unique formations. Kayakers on Lake Ontario need to pay close attention to the weather as the conditions can change rather quickly.
Staghorn Cliffs (Skaneateles Lake)
Skaneateles Lake is one of the cleanest lakes not just in New York State but the entire country. Paddlers will especially love the view of the Eastern Shore of the Lake. These cliffs are remnants of a prehistoric staghorn coral reef. The fossils are from the Devonian Period (about 400-350 million years old). This area is actually part of the Cora Kampfe Dickinson Conservation Area, and it can only currently be reached by boat. Visitors are amazed by the immense number of fossils found in the rock of the cliffs and on the surrounding lake floor. FYI – It is illegal to remove any fossils. This area is considered to be one of the best paleological sites in New York State. You can launch from the Town of Scott Park on Glen Haven Rd.
Do you have a favorite kayak spot? What makes a kayaking spot perfect for you? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.