Things to do / Travel Guide
Kayaking and canoeing are great ways to explore the eleven Finger Lakes and their tributaries, as well as the Toronto Harbor.
Kayaks and canoes can be rented in towns on nearly all of the Finger Lakes and at the Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak Centre in Toronto. Most kayaking outfitters and liveries will deliver and pick up kayaks at launching spots. Canoeing and kayaking both in western New York and Toronto is at its best in the spring and summer months. Nearly all of the Finger Lakes have accessible launching sites.
Sea Kayaking
The Cayuga-Seneca Canal connects Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake to the Erie Canal. It provides a challenging, long-distance, sea-kayaking adventure. Kayakers can start at Seneca Lake and kayak toward Cayuga Lake State Park.
Niagara River has been listed as one of New York's best kayaking destinations. From its mouth on Lake Erie, the river flows north toward Niagara Falls, through high, forested cliffs, and then past the Old Fort Niagara and into Lake Ontario. Of course, don't plan to go down Niagara Falls - that's a no-brainer. There are plenty of places to get off before then.
To enjoy a hearty kayaking excursion on Lake Ontario, head to the Queens Quay in downtown Toronto. Head out on your own by kayaking across the inner harbor to the Toronto Island Archipelago. There you will find a pleasant combination of quiet wilderness, trees and birds - all with Toronto's CN Tower and cityscape in the background!
Paddling
There are quite a lot of excellent paddling locations in the western New York and south-central Ontario region. Here are a few that come highly recommended by experienced paddlers:
Canadice Lake is about 30 miles south of the city of Rochester. Though it is the smallest of the Finger Lakes, it is the highest in elevation - almost 1,100 feet above sea level. A popular activity on Canadice is the nighttime paddle. Launch your boat at the Canadice Lake Boat Launch (parallel to Canadice Lake Road) and paddle into the center of the lake just after the moon rises.
The seven-mile long Hemlock Lake is 25 miles south of Rochester. While many of the Finger Lakes' shores are well-developed, Hemlock Lake is a wonderful exception. This lake limits motorboat access and is surrounded by pristine woods and hillsides. Bald eagles nest in the area and strict boating regulations keep the lakes waters tranquil and calm. To canoe here, you'll need obtain a free permit at the Public Boat Launch near Hemlock's northern end.
The Erie Canal
The historic Erie Canal, connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie, runs through the region. There are plenty of opportunities to paddle, and also kayak, on it. Canals are good for pleasant paddling and kayaking, because there are no rapids. Because towns were historically placed along canals, there are a number of historic settlements along the Erie.
- A good historic strip is from the town of Macedon to that of Palmyra, where the Canal runs parallel to Route 31, close to Rochester. The towns are all of five miles apart.
- The portion between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake is pretty old-style. This route lies in Seneca County, an area brimming with history, that playing a part in the Revolutionary War. You navigate through a series of locks and also along the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. In the Refuge, blue herons, red-tailed hawks, and beavers can be spotted. It's around 15 miles from start to finish.
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