This relatively unknown and quiet paddling destination is a great location to paddle during the leaf peeping season. 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 another couple of days in the western Adirondacks. The average paddling distance is 6-8 miles and leisurely hikes are generally 3 miles round trip or less.
Trip Highlights:
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A beautiful time of year in the Adirondacks!
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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 Forestport Reservoir, a dammed section of the Black River, where boats and gear will be fitted and basic instruction will be given (as needed). The reservoir is a pretty paddle and usually full of waterfowl, wading birds and the occassional bald eagle. After a leisurely paddle, with a stop on a little stream for lunch, we'll load up and head back to Boonville to learn a little about the area at the Black River Canal Museum. The Black River Canal was a vital but short-lived feeder canal that connected the Erie Canal at Rome to the Black River at Boonville, completed in 1850. This 35-mile stretch included a record 109 locks, overcoming a significant elevation difference to supply water to the Erie Canal and enable North Country resources like lumber and grain to reach markets in New York City and beyond. The canal was eventually abandoned in 1922 after less than 70 years of operation.
Day 3 – 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 4 – Today we will spend the morning exploring on foot and will hike to some local waterfalls. There are multiple hikes in the area and we will choose the distances based on how far you would like to hike. Generally the hikes are 1 1/2 - 2 miles in length. The afternoon will be yours to relax or explore on your own.
Day 5 – Will find us paddling the Black River from Lyons Falls to Glenfield. Lyons Falls is where the Moose River meets the Black River and is where many logs were floated it was also 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. You'll immediately see remnants of the logging history but turtles, waterfowl, wading birds, beavers, muskrats, mink, deer and even a Golden Eagle have been seen while paddling on this stretch of river.
Day 6 – Today we travel about an hour through the Adirondacks to the headwaters of the Black River, North Lake. This beautiful location has classic Adirondack views with pines near the lake and deciduous trees in the distance that are beautiful in the fall.
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 Forestport Reservoir, a dammed section of the Black River, where boats and gear will be fitted and basic instruction will be given (as needed). The reservoir is a pretty paddle and usually full of waterfowl, wading birds and the occassional bald eagle. After a leisurely paddle, with a stop on a little stream for lunch, we'll load up and head back to Boonville to learn a little about the area at the Black River Canal Museum. The Black River Canal was a vital but short-lived feeder canal that connected the Erie Canal at Rome to the Black River at Boonville, completed in 1850. This 35-mile stretch included a record 109 locks, overcoming a significant elevation difference to supply water to the Erie Canal and enable North Country resources like lumber and grain to reach markets in New York City and beyond. The canal was eventually abandoned in 1922 after less than 70 years of operation.
Day 3 – 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 4 – Today we will spend the morning exploring on foot and will hike to some local waterfalls. There are multiple hikes in the area and we will choose the distances based on how far you would like to hike. Generally the hikes are 1 1/2 - 2 miles in length. The afternoon will be yours to relax or explore on your own.
Day 5 – Will find us paddling the Black River from Lyons Falls to Glenfield. Lyons Falls is where the Moose River meets the Black River and is where many logs were floated it was also 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. You'll immediately see remnants of the logging history but turtles, waterfowl, wading birds, beavers, muskrats, mink, deer and even a Golden Eagle have been seen while paddling on this stretch of river.
Day 6 – Today we travel about an hour through the Adirondacks to the headwaters of the Black River, North Lake. This beautiful location has classic Adirondack views with pines near the lake and deciduous trees in the distance that are beautiful in the fall.
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.