The Adirondacks boast 3,000 lakes, rivers and streams, making it a water lover’s dream. The area offers an abundances of waterways providing a variety of recreational opportunities from fishing and paddling, to sailing and ice fishing; we have all four seasons on the water covered.
The West Branch of the Ausable runs 36 miles northeast to Ausable Forks, and is fed by Lake Placid and the Chubb River along the way. At high water levels, the upper end provides demanding whitewater paddling opportunities. It runs through High Falls Gorge at the Wilmington Notch, a gorge formed by a fault zone, with cliffs on both sides.
Set in the valley between Lyon Mountain and Ellenburg, Chazy Lake has spectacular scenic views, great waters and plays host to a variety of watersports year round.
DEC boat launch with a hard surface ramp is located off Route 374, 5 miles west of the Village of Dannemora. It has parking for 20 cars and trailers.
> For more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71840.html
The great Chazy River is situated in the northern part of the Adirondack Coast. Running through farm lands and back roads, it offers a quintessential Adirondack Coast experience.
Lake Alice, located adjacent to Miner Institute, offers a wide variety of year-round, Adirondack outdoor activities. The Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area is used for hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and birding. In addition, the nearby Chazy Yacht Club, located on Lake Shore Road, is a beautiful harbor for Lake Champlain boaters and sailors to dock.
> For more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24410.html
The once sixth great lake in the U.S., the historic waters of Lake Champlain stretch 120 miles north to south with almost 600 miles of pristine shoreline. Surpassed only by the Great Lakes in size, Lake Champlain features 435 square miles of surface area carving through the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
The historic waters of Lake Champlain stretch 120 miles north to south along New York and Vermont, with almost 600 miles of pristine shoreline and 435 square miles of surface area carving through the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont, making it one of the largest lake in the U.S.
Sail our open waters. Visit historic lighthouses. Dive century-old shipwrecks. Experience some of the East’s best inland windsurfing. Fish one of North America’s most renowned fisheries. Or just sit on one of our many beaches and take in the spectacular mountain views of New York and Vermont.
When visitors explore Lake Champlain’s expansive waters, they hope to catch a glimpse of our very own sea monster.
Some historians place the first sighting of the creature back in 1609 by Samuel de Champlain himself. Both the Abenaki and Iroquois tribes, living nearby, told their own legends of a creature in the lake – Tatoskok. Today, it is affectionately known as Champ.
The "Mansi Photograph", taken in 1977, is perhaps the most convincing piece of evidence swaying visitors and locals to believe in Champ’s existence. While vacationing on Lake Champlain, Sandra Mansi snapped a picture of a long necked creature emerging from the water.
Intrigued? Check out more information about the legend of Champ and the annual festival, Champ Day, here.
In September of 1814, fifteen thousand British regulars fresh from victories in the Napoleonic Wars invaded New York from Canada, along with a small fleet of Royal Navy ships on Lake Champlain. Their intent was to reach New York City and divide our infant nation in two.
A fierce battle ensued on land and water, devastating both sides. A dying wind left the British unable to maneuver giving the Americans the advantage. Within three hours the British colors were struck and their commander, Captain Downie, lay dead. Seeing his fleet defeated, General Prevost withdrew his troops back to Canada.
The totally unexpected American victory thwarted the British plans to control Lake Champlain and led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812 on Christmas Eve, 1814.
Hiking in the Adirondacks is like running water - it’s bound to happen. Many of these opportunities along Lake Champlain offer natural sand beaches, forested walking/hiking trails, or wildlife habitats to add as part of your hike? Check out these Lake Champlain hiking locations!
Lake Champlain is undeniably one of the best fisheries on the continent. As one of the largest lakes in the U.S., Lake Champlain stretches 120 miles north to south with almost 600 miles of shoreline dotted by boat launches and a maximum depth of 400 feet. Its 435 square miles of surface area carve through the Adirondack Mountains of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont offering spectacular views and unprecedented fishing. Whether it’s just for fun or you’re looking to enter a tournament, Lake Champlain is the ideal place for many kinds of fishing year-round.
With such a huge lake at our doorstep and several other rivers and lakes in the region, it’s no wonder boating and watersports make up a huge part of the lifestyle on Lake Champlain. Each season brings new adventures to explore on our lake. From sailing to paddling, ice fishing to swimming, windsurfing to snowkiting Lake Champlain is the perfect location for so many boating and water sport options.
Whether you’re looking to dive into our rich history, or just pass by a monument or lighthouse, the sightseeing opportunities along Lake Champlain are as vast as the lake itself. While history is hard to avoid, there are plenty of sightseeing options that don’t blast you two or three hundred years back. Check out our full list of sights to see on Lake Champlain here.
The beaches along the shores of Lake Champlain boast amazing views, kid’s activities, camping, outdoor grills, and paddling opportunities and rentals. Plattsburgh City Beach is notably one of the largest freshwater beaches in America. Come for a quick swim on a hot day or bring the whole family for a full day of relaxation and fun.
The Adirondack Coast’s parks promise the very best of recreation and relaxation – whether you want to spend the day hiking around the Adirondack Mountains or a few hours kicking back in an Adirondack Chair on Lake Champlain. Our parks offer picnic areas, fishing, camping, nature trails, paddling, boating, and snowshoeing in the winter. Many of our parks are connected to sandy beaches with unparalleled swimming opportunities, doubling the fun and making it easy for families.
In 1998, Lake Champlain actually became a Great Lake when a Vermont senator attached a few words to a bill pending in congress stating, “The term ‘Great Lakes’ includes Lake Champlain.” With President Clinton’s signature, Lake Champlain became a Great Lake – for one month. With pressure from the Great Lakes region over potential funding issues, the designation was reversed just 4 weeks later.
But for water lovers, Lake Champlain is truly a great lake, offering year round recreation.
Sail our open waters. Visit historic lighthouses. Dive century-old shipwrecks. Experience some of the East’s best inland windsurfing. Fish one of North America’s most renowned fisheries. Or just sit on one of our many beaches and take in the spectacular mountain views.
Lower Chateaugay Lake is located in northeast Franklin County. It is approximately a quarter of the size of Upper Chateaugay Lake. The lake is surrounded by private cottages and camps.
There is a DEC boat launch off Route 374, five miles north of the Hamlet of Merrill. The launch has a hard surface ramp with parking for 25 cars and trailers. The launch is in the Chateaugay Narrows approximately two and half miles south of the lake. The Chateaugay Narrows is navigable, but it has two low bridges.
> For more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71830.html
The Saranac River, which begins at the Saranac Lakes and flows into Lake Champlain at Plattsburgh, has been the focus of Saranac life for more than 200 years. Today, the Saranac River offers great opportunities for Adirondack Coast fishing, as well as paddling with up to Class IV rapids.
Taylor Pond is large in size and often reminds visitors of a lake rather than a pond. It offers a variety of water recreation opportunities and camping is available.
Elevation: 139 feet Area: 856 acres Maximum depth: 95 feet Maximum Width: .7 miles Length: 3.1 miles Thermocline: ~20-30 feet
Camping Fishing Paddling Boating Beach access Swimming
Access is located within the DEC maintained Taylor Pond Campground, off Silver Lake Road, 9 miles northwest of the Town of Ausable Forks. The boat launch is a beach launch. There is a day use fee applied during open camping season, but the launch is open year round. Parking for 20 cars and trailers.
> For more information http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71850.html
Located in a rural Adirondack Coast town, Upper Chateaugay Lake features an island in the center called Moffit Island. The natural beauty of this lake offers visitors a chance to fish, paddle, bird watch and boat in a picturesque setting.
There is a DEC boat launch off Route 374, five miles north of the Hamlet of Merrill. The launch has a hard surface ramp with parking for 25 cars and trailers. The launch is in the Chateaugay Narrows, approximately one mile north of the lake. The Chateaugay Narrows are navigable.
> For more information: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/71855.html
