Nestled between Lake Ontario and the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State lies the Tug Hill region. The region is mostly known for massive amounts of snow and is a relatively unknown and quiet paddling destination. Spend the week exploring and learning about this area, then return to comfortable lodging in the evening. This trip explores different sections of the Black River, located between Tug Hill and the Adirondacks, and includes a day on Tug Hill and another in the western Adirondacks. This region is beautiful and quiet during the summer and we often find that we have the water all to ourselves! There is also a built in “free day” to explore on your own.
Trip Highlights:
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Everyone loves paddling below Lyons Falls!
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Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive at The Lodge at Headwaters for check-in after 3:00 PM. We will meet you in the lobby at 5:00 PM for a "meet and greet" and then head out for dinner.
Day 2 – On our first day we will head to Whetstone Gulf Reservoir on "the hill" as locals call it, "Tug Hill" to others. This is where gear will be distributed for the week, boats will be fitted and basic paddling instruction will be given. The reservoir is a pretty paddle usually full of waterfowl, wading birds and the occasional Bald Eagle. As we're paddling out, if you listen carefully you'll hear a strange noise similar to slow boomerang. Looking over your shoulder you'll see part of the Tug Hill Wind Farm and the windmills that are making the noise. After a leisurely paddle and lunch we'll load up and head back down the hill to Constable Hall. William Constable is remembered best for his part in Macomb's Purchase, the giant real estate speculation which included about a tenth of New York State. One of three New York City capitalists who negotiated the Purchase, he became the principal owner and chief developer. In selling huge tracts to European and American Land companies, and in attracting individual families from New England, William Constable opened up the settlement of the North Country. Constable Hall is a limestone mansion that remained in the family for five generations before being preserved as a historic home, containing memories from seven generations.
Day 3 – Will be your first day on the Black River. Launching from Lyons Falls, you'll immediately see remnants of the logging history. Lyons Falls is where the Moose River meets the Black River where many logs were floated and was the site of the only three way bridge in the United States. The original wooden three way bridge was built in 1849 and replaced with a steel one in 1916. Unfortunately the bridge was taken out in 1965 and separate bridges were built. Our 9 mile paddle will take us down through some beautiful stretches of the river where the unexpected is around around every bend. Turtles, waterfowl, wading birds, beavers, muskrats, mink, deer and even a Golden Eagle have been seen while paddling on this stretch of river.
Day 4 – Is a day off to explore on your own. Go for a hike, visit a winery, go fishing, visit a museum or just sit and relax.
Day 5 – Is a bit of a drive (about an hour) but Stillwater Reservoir is well worth the trip. It is a large wilderness lake with many “nooks and crannies”, sandy beaches and massive rock outcroppings. Stillwater Reservoir (also called Beaver River Flow) is one of the great scenic wonders of the Central Adirondacks. There are two historic settlements on the Reservoir—Stillwater and Beaver River. Two primitive roads reach Stillwater where there is a hotel, boat livery, restaurant and shop, some 35 cottages and only a handful of year-round residents. Beaver River, one mile square and completely surrounded by State lands, is reachable only by water, foot or snowmobile. It lost road access when the 1924 dam set a new water level. Beaver River is on the old rail line that operated from 1892 to 1965. The settlement comprises about 100 camps and the Norridgewock Hotel complex. This is a great paddle and should be seen when in the area!
Day 6 – On the last day you'll see the diversity of the Black River. We'll paddle Kayuta Lake, a dammed section of the Black River, up to where the river meets the reservoir. This is the "working mans" Adirondack vacation lake and you'll see many "camps" on the lower section of the lake. As we enter the river channel towards the end of the paddle, it will become quiet with only a few camps on the bluffs above and only wildlife and the occasional boat on the water. There are also numerous sandy beaches to get out and explore. On the way back, we'll stop in Boonville, NY to visit the Black River Canal Museum. The 77-mile long Black River Canal was an engineering marvel of the 19th century. Built between 1837 and 1855, the Black River Canal ran uphill, connecting the waters of the Erie Canal with those of the Black River. The southern section of the overland canal linked Rome and Boonville, a distance of 25 miles. Following the rugged Lansing Kill Gorge, this section of the canal rose 693 feet and required 70 locks. The northern section of the overland canal connected Boonville and Lyons Falls, a distance of 10 miles. This section of the canal descended 386 feet and required 39 locks. All together, the Black River Canal had 109 locks--still a world record. Between Lyons Falls and Carthage, a distance of 42 miles, the Black River itself was canalized for slack-water navigation. By giving the North Country access to eastern and mid-western markets, the Black River Canal was instrumental in the region's growth and prosperity. The museum houses and displays artifacts from the canal era and a full-scale replica of a canal boat is also located on the museum grounds.
Day 7 - Check out will be at 11AM from The Lodge at Headwaters.
*Itinerary is subject to change based on weather or other unforeseen circumstances
Day 2 – On our first day we will head to Whetstone Gulf Reservoir on "the hill" as locals call it, "Tug Hill" to others. This is where gear will be distributed for the week, boats will be fitted and basic paddling instruction will be given. The reservoir is a pretty paddle usually full of waterfowl, wading birds and the occasional Bald Eagle. As we're paddling out, if you listen carefully you'll hear a strange noise similar to slow boomerang. Looking over your shoulder you'll see part of the Tug Hill Wind Farm and the windmills that are making the noise. After a leisurely paddle and lunch we'll load up and head back down the hill to Constable Hall. William Constable is remembered best for his part in Macomb's Purchase, the giant real estate speculation which included about a tenth of New York State. One of three New York City capitalists who negotiated the Purchase, he became the principal owner and chief developer. In selling huge tracts to European and American Land companies, and in attracting individual families from New England, William Constable opened up the settlement of the North Country. Constable Hall is a limestone mansion that remained in the family for five generations before being preserved as a historic home, containing memories from seven generations.
Day 3 – Will be your first day on the Black River. Launching from Lyons Falls, you'll immediately see remnants of the logging history. Lyons Falls is where the Moose River meets the Black River where many logs were floated and was the site of the only three way bridge in the United States. The original wooden three way bridge was built in 1849 and replaced with a steel one in 1916. Unfortunately the bridge was taken out in 1965 and separate bridges were built. Our 9 mile paddle will take us down through some beautiful stretches of the river where the unexpected is around around every bend. Turtles, waterfowl, wading birds, beavers, muskrats, mink, deer and even a Golden Eagle have been seen while paddling on this stretch of river.
Day 4 – Is a day off to explore on your own. Go for a hike, visit a winery, go fishing, visit a museum or just sit and relax.
Day 5 – Is a bit of a drive (about an hour) but Stillwater Reservoir is well worth the trip. It is a large wilderness lake with many “nooks and crannies”, sandy beaches and massive rock outcroppings. Stillwater Reservoir (also called Beaver River Flow) is one of the great scenic wonders of the Central Adirondacks. There are two historic settlements on the Reservoir—Stillwater and Beaver River. Two primitive roads reach Stillwater where there is a hotel, boat livery, restaurant and shop, some 35 cottages and only a handful of year-round residents. Beaver River, one mile square and completely surrounded by State lands, is reachable only by water, foot or snowmobile. It lost road access when the 1924 dam set a new water level. Beaver River is on the old rail line that operated from 1892 to 1965. The settlement comprises about 100 camps and the Norridgewock Hotel complex. This is a great paddle and should be seen when in the area!
Day 6 – On the last day you'll see the diversity of the Black River. We'll paddle Kayuta Lake, a dammed section of the Black River, up to where the river meets the reservoir. This is the "working mans" Adirondack vacation lake and you'll see many "camps" on the lower section of the lake. As we enter the river channel towards the end of the paddle, it will become quiet with only a few camps on the bluffs above and only wildlife and the occasional boat on the water. There are also numerous sandy beaches to get out and explore. On the way back, we'll stop in Boonville, NY to visit the Black River Canal Museum. The 77-mile long Black River Canal was an engineering marvel of the 19th century. Built between 1837 and 1855, the Black River Canal ran uphill, connecting the waters of the Erie Canal with those of the Black River. The southern section of the overland canal linked Rome and Boonville, a distance of 25 miles. Following the rugged Lansing Kill Gorge, this section of the canal rose 693 feet and required 70 locks. The northern section of the overland canal connected Boonville and Lyons Falls, a distance of 10 miles. This section of the canal descended 386 feet and required 39 locks. All together, the Black River Canal had 109 locks--still a world record. Between Lyons Falls and Carthage, a distance of 42 miles, the Black River itself was canalized for slack-water navigation. By giving the North Country access to eastern and mid-western markets, the Black River Canal was instrumental in the region's growth and prosperity. The museum houses and displays artifacts from the canal era and a full-scale replica of a canal boat is also located on the museum grounds.
Day 7 - Check out will be at 11AM from The Lodge at Headwaters.
*Itinerary is subject to change based on weather or other unforeseen circumstances
What's Included and Trip Cost
- All lodging at The Lodge at Headwaters in Boonville, NY.
- Welcome, farewell dinners, all breakfasts and lunches.
- Kayaks/canoes and all necessary paddling equipment
- Scott Locorini as your NYS licensed guide.
- Assistance with arranging a Syracuse, NY airport shuttle
- $1950 per person- Share a room and save $200
A 50% deposit is due at time of reservation, with payment in full due 60 days prior to the trip’s start date. Email us,
call or text (315) 316-1125 with questions.