If I were to pick my favorite place to canoe or kayak, it would probably be here, in the Canandaigua Lake Inlet. This place is not only incredibly beautiful, but I have literally never seen another human being while paddling here. This inlet has miles of canals to travel, and you are surrounded by hills in a setting that is quite idyllic.
Please note: some posts may contain affiliate links which means we could earn a small commission if you purchase products from our site, at no additional cost to you.
View Abundant Wildlife in the Canal of the Inlet
We have paddled many different waters in New York State and I have yet to find another place equal to this. The tranquility and the complete separation from everything but nature itself is incredible. We have found that the best time to venture back into the early morning or late afternoon. This is when wildlife is most active. We have seen otters, all sorts of birds, and of course frogs, turtles, and fish in the canals of the Inlet.
Plan Ahead for an Extended Paddling Trip
You really want to give yourself a lot of time to explore this area because there are miles of trails that can be explored. Although you can easily take a quick canoe trip in the Inlet, to do it justice, you should plan to spend several hours. Be sure to bring a snack and water, as you will need it for energy. However, please hold onto your trash and dispose of it in the trash cans available at the boat launches. Also, I have yet to see the DEC here, however, if they stop you without some sort of floatation device, it is a minimum $25 fine per person.
Where to Launch
There are three boat launches visitors can use to access the Inlet. The Woodville Boat Launch is quite large with concrete ramps that launch directly into Canandaigua Lake. The parking lot has the capacity to hold approximately 80 vehicles. The entrance to the inlet is short way from this boat launch.
The boat launch we most often prefer to use is the West River Boat Launch on Middlesex Route 245 (approximately 6 miles south of the town of Middlesex. This boat launch has a concrete ramp and enters directly into the Inlet. The Woodville and West River Launches both have porta-potties available for boater’s usage. The third boat launch is on Sunnyside Rd (just off Middlesex Route 245) and is quite small, designed specifically for kayaks and canoes. Larger boats can’t be launched here.
Wheelchair Accessible Canoe and Kayak Launch
A neat feature that is available at both the Woodville Boat Launch and the West River Boat Launch is the EZ Launch wheelchair-accessible transfer systems. These special docks are designed to provide a place for people who are wheelchair-bound to be able to easily transfer from their wheelchair into their canoe or kayak.
Best Time to Visit the Canandaigua Lake Inlet
We have found that although both the Woodville Boat Launch and West River Boat Launch are easily accessible, the West River tends to be quieter, especially during the summer. Getting to the Canandaigua Lake Inlet via the Lake can be a little rocky when there are a lot of boats on Canandaigua Lake. Early morning or late afternoon (early evening) is the best time to visit for several reasons, not just wildlife viewing. The boat launches tend to be empty or definitely less crowded at these times (especially the Woodville Boat Launch) Also, during the summer, it can get quite hot in the Inlet with very little shade available.
The Canandaigua Lake Inlet is an exquisite place to canoe or kayak in the Spring and the summer, but I find it especially gorgeous in the fall when the leaves are at their peak. Especially as you are surrounded by hills and abundant wildlife. This is a great place to really get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing and refreshing paddling trip.
