The Erie Canal is Great for Hiking, Biking & Paddling

How Cool is this ! In addition to history, sightseeing & transportation, the 200 year old Erie Canal is also a Recreational Haven for Hikers, Bikers, Campers, Kayakers and small craft Boaters - and all parts of the Canalway now connect with the NEW Empire State Trail which is one of the longest recreational trails in the Country ! The historical ambiance, fascinating locks, varied ecological terrains, and proximity to exciting towns, campgrounds, restaurants and wildlife create a unique landscape found nowhere else.

Many Local trails are groomed for hiking and biking, and the gently flowing currents of the Erie Canal and its tributaries are ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and boating. You can rent bikes, kayaks and canoes or bring your own - and the interactive online New York State Canal Map shows you nearby amenities.

A complimentary copy of the NY State Canalway Guidebook is available which includes maps, a mile-by-mile description of launch sites, paddler-friendly facilities and amenities, and places of interest for over 450 miles of the NYS Canal System, including the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain canals.

Download or order your FREE paper copy of the NYS Canalway Guidebook Here.

The Guidebook is for both beginners as well as seasoned paddlers, “It's an invitation for paddlers to discover the history, beauty, and adventure of paddling the canals” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

One of the most popular activities along the Erie Canal is the Canalway Challenge program, where you and your family can earn recognition and certificates for your excercise. The Canalway Challenge is perfect for anyone who enjoys light recreation, whether you're taking that first step toward fitness, are physically challenged, or are an experienced athlete.

To get started, all you have to do is sign up and begin participating anywhere along the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail. After creating a personal mileage goal for yourself – by cycling, paddling, running, hiking, rolling, or walking – you'll discover that you can easily do all of this along the New York Canals !

>> READ MORE about the Canalway Challenge ..

According to Jean Mackay, Director of Communications and Outreach at the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, "Whether exploring New York State for the first time, reconnecting to the water and trail after many years, or accepting a new challenge, 2022-3 was a year of discovery for participants of the Canalway Challenge. Finishers logged 362,681 miles, the equivalent of cycling, walking, and paddling to the moon and halfway back!"

Additional Recreational Opportunities

> Discover Seven multiday itineraries along the Erie Canal & Canalway Trail.

These 3-4 day itineraries make it easy to Plan a Trip.

5.0 ★ Vacation made easy! Discover some of the best communities, food, attractions, and hidden gems along New York’s extraordinary canals. Choose from Erie Canal Samplers in greater Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany; a Village-to-Village tour of canal towns; and multiday cycling, paddling, and sightseeing trips.

> Cycle the Erie Canalway Trail

Visit the 'Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor' website

5.0 ★ Take in the amazing history and scenic terrain as you cycle along much of the 365 miles on the Erie Canalway between Albany and Buffalo. Easy access to services in nearby communities and the freedom to choose any of the SIX trail divisions combine to create some of the finest Cycling experiences in the Eastern U.S.

> Join a 4 day Excursion with Classic Adventures Biking Tours

Ride the Erie Canalway complete with bike, meals, guide, parties and lodging.

It's easy to relive the Erie Canal's rich history on a 4 day Classic Adventures biking tour which includes touring bike, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners & 2 wine & cheese receptions/socials, lodging, Rochester transfer to cycling starting point near Buffalo and moderate daily distances with much of the riding on safe canal paths separate from road traffic..

> Go Biking a full 11 days with the Great American Bike Tours

Show your passion for biking along the Erie Canal and Empire State Trail, from Canada to NYC

With over 363 miles of cycling, this 11 day/10 night tour is packed with beautiful scenery, remarkable US history, and the incredible aqueducts, locks, lift bridges and canal parks of the historic Erie Canal. On this journey you'll cycle from Buffalo to Albany passing through more than 200 colorful communities along the way.

> Noble Invention Bike Touring offers both 4 and 5 day trips

For an Unforgettable Experience, Go with Noble Invention Bike Touring

Noble Invention offers both 4- and 5-day tours complete with guides, lodging, breakfasts and optional dining plans that focus on the longest contiguous sections of the Canalway system. The four-day tour runs the western portion from Buffalo to Newark while the five-day journey starts in Lockport and runs to Newark.

> Experience 4 days of Biking Fun with Wilderness Voyageurs

Everything about this trip is unique including the limestone towpath and cool surroundings

Experience a fun 4 days, including guide, lodgings and meals in one of the most beautiful and historically significant areas of the U.S. as you pedal by historic cities that date from the 1800's, explore canal locks, and ride 100 miles of the Erie Canalway on the mostly limestone trails of the Erie Canal towpath.

> Get on the Water with Upstate Kayak Rentals

Hit the waterways paddling with Upstate Kayak Rentals

Offering unique rental opportunities for your paddling adventure, this traveling kayak rental company features staffed walk-up locations and several self-serving rental sites. Their Waterford Boat Launch invites paddlers to explore where the Erie Canal meets the Hudson River to admire the beautiful waterfalls.

> Explore the Canal with Erie Canal Adventures

Discover the Canal with Erie Canal Adventures

Kayak Rentals are beginning in the Spring of 2021 - Besides renting full craft and pontoon boats, there is no better way to explore the Erie Canal region than kayaking ! Erie Canal Adventures offers one- and two-person kayak rentals as well as selected guided Kayaking Excursions.

> Take the Entire Family to the Genesee Waterways Center

Kayak the Erie Canal and Waterways around Rochester

Enjoy a day of scenic adventure on the Genesee River and the Erie Canal with a user-friendly kayak that includes boat, paddle and personal flotation devices. Rentals include a safety briefing and paddling training, and our rental packages come with everything you need to enjoy a day on Rochester's rivers and creeks.

> BOOK NOW Rent Bikes & Kayaks in the Town of Fairport starting at $21

at the 'Erie Canal Boat Company'

5.0 ★ You can Rent Bikes and Kayaks online or go directly to the Water's edge (Map) within a minute's walk from downtown Fairport. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are available for those with little or no paddling experience. Stop by charming pubs & restaurants, and enjoy local festivities from early spring to late fall.

> BOOK NOW Rent Adaptive Bikes & Paddling Equipment (Seniors & Disabled) $16

at the 'Erie Canal Boat Company'

5.0 ★ The leader in adaptive paddling, peddling, pontoon, and special needs boating, the Erie Canal Boat Company has rental equipment for all ages and abilities at the Fairport location (Map), and offers special assistance with kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUP's) as well as adaptive 3-wheeled bicycles. Learn More

> Find Camping & Rv'ing by the Erie Canalway Trail in Macedon

Go Camping or RVing at the 'Twilight on the Erie RV Resort'

4.8 ★ Twilight on the Erie RV & Camping Resort (Map) in the Finger Lakes features large sites for both tents and RVs along with cabin and RV rentals and seasonal sites. Located by the Erie Canalway Trail, the campground features an inground pool, small boat rental facility and nearby dock, clubhouse with arcade, showers & more.

> Camp for FREE at Select Campsites along the Erie Canalway Trail

Visit to the 'Canal Corporation' website for details

5.0 ★ The New York State Canal System offers (seven) 48 hour-stay Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsites along the Canalway Trail, with grills, picnic tables, potable water (at some sites), and toilets. The campsites, mostly at canal lock locations, make traveling along the Canalway Trail and Canal System easier for trail users and boaters.