Erie Canalway Map & Guide

7/31/2019 Erie Canalway Map & Guide

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Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor National Park ServiceU.S. Department o the Interior

Erie Canalway Map & Guide 20

Whats InsideGet On Board!

Walk! Cycle! Jog!

The Erie Canalway Trail

is waiting or you

Erie Canalway Map Regional Flavor

Join the Fun at

Festival and Events

2012 Photo Contest

Try a Taste o History

Its Our Park

Take the Kids!

Explore. Learn. Discover.

Todays Canals

Rent a canal boat or a ew hours or aweeklong vacation, step on board a tourboat, or explore in your own cruiser,kayak or canoe.

Original Towpath-Era Canalsand Engineering Marvels

Find historic structures rom the 1800s,as well as locks, lit bridges, and guardgates still in use today.

Erie Canalway Trail

Enjoy unparalleled cycling and hikingalong the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail,which ollows both active and bypassedsections o the Erie Canalmuch o italong the canals ormer towpath.

Canal Communities

Stroll through villages, towns, and citieswhose canal waterronts still open ontohistoric Main Streets with one-o-a-kindshops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Festivals and EventsJoin hundreds o thousands o residentsand visitors who celebrate their canalheritage each year with great ood, music,and amily un activities.

Nature & Scenic Beauty

Capture the moment! The canals o NewYork State traverse some o New Yorksmost picturesque countryside and naturepreservesperect or birdwatching,photography, painting, or just enjoying aquiet reuge.

The opening o the Erie Canal in 1825 cleared the way or goods, people,

and ideas to ow rom New York City to the Great Lakes and beyond.

Travelers marveled at the canals locks and low bridges, and encounteredcolorul characters, lively adventures, and hometown hospitality all

along the way.

You can too. Discover or yoursel what you cant read in a history book:

New Yorks legendary canalswhere exceptional scenery, history, culture,

and adventure await. Here are a ew o the things youll want to explore:

Getting Here

The New York State Thruway (I-90)and Amtrak parallel the Erie Canalrom Albany to Bualo. Northway I-87

provides access to the ChamplainCanal rom Albany to Whitehall. But tosee the best parts o the Erie Canalway,youll want to get o the Interstates.

State and county roads thread throughthe hamlets, villages, and cities thatgrew along the waterways and providethe best access to canal towns and sites.

Try these routes:

NYRte31inwesternNewYork

NYRte5and5SintheMohawk Valley

NYRte48andCountyRte57alongthe Oswego Canal

NYRte4alongtheChamplainCanaland a host o smaller roads

in between.


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The NYS Canal System is owned and operated by the New York State CanalCorporation, a subsidiary o the New York State Thruway Authority Purchasea copy o the ocial Cruising Guide to the New York State Canal System ora complete list o services or boaters and inormation about navigating thecanal Current inormation on ees or boating through the locks and up-to-datenotices to mariners may be ound at www.canals.ny.gov or by calling1-800-4-CANAL-4 (1-800-422-6254)

2 Erie Canalway Map & Guide

The New York State Canal Systemorms the spine o the ErieCanalway National HeritageCorridor. More than 500 miles ointerconnected canals, rivers, andlakes are typically open to naviga-tion rom May 1 to November 15.

Youll see tour boats, cruisers, kayaks, and crew teams, alongside the New York StateCanal Corporations blue and yellow work boats and other historic vessels. Thereare numerous choices or hourly tours, overnight excursions, and do-it-yourselexploration. Consult our chart to nd boat rentals and tours. You can also load upyour own kayak or canoe to explore the waterway. Find the latest inormation aboutaccess points and amenities using the Interactive NYS Canalway Water Trail Map:www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/watertrail.html

I you like boats, but preer to enjoy them rom shore, stop by one o the many canalharbors, visitor centers, or parks on the water. Many o the NYS Canal Systems57 locks include waterront parks or picnicking, shing, playing, or just sitting on thebank and watching boats.

Get On Board!COMPANY/LOCATION

TELEPHONE/WEBSITE C

ANOE/KAYAK

RENTAL

HOURLYAND

DAILYTOURS

S E L F S K I P P E R E D

Erie Canal: Mohawk-Hudson Region

The Boat House,Schenectady

518-393-5711www.boathousecanoeskayaks.com

Erie Canal Cruises,Herkimer

315-717-0350www.eriecanalcruises.com

Erie-Champlain Canal Boat

Company, Waterford

518-577-6363; 518-432-6094

www.eccboating.com

Erie Canal: Central Region

Camillus Erie Canal Park,Camillus

315-488-3409www.eriecanalcamillus.com

Discovery Marine Services,Baldwinsville

315-317-3694www.discoverymarineservices.com

Mid-Lakes Navigation Co.,Baldwinsville, Skaneateles

315-685-8500; 800-545-4318www.midlakesnav.com

Erie Canal: Western Region

Amherst Marine Center,Amherst

716-691-6707www.amherstmarinecenter.com

Colonial BelleErie CanalCruises, Fairport

585-223-9470www.colonialbelle.com

Corn Hill Navigation,Rochester, Pittsford

585-662-5748www.samandmary.org

Erie Canal Boat Company,

Fairport

585-748-2628

www.eriecanalboatcompany.com

Genesee WaterwaysCenter, Rochester

585-328-3960www.geneseewaterways.org

Lock 32 WhitewaterKayaking Park, Pittsford

585-586-4330; 585-328-3960www.geneseewaterways.org

Lockport Locks and ErieCanal Cruises, Lockport

800-378-0352; 716-433-6155www.lockportlocks.com

Low Bridge Charters,Fairport

585-944-1764www.lowbridgecharters.com

Mid-Lakes Navigation:Macedon Landing, Macedon

315-986-3011www.midlakesnav.com

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

Canal Side Experiences,Waterloo

315-651-4443www.canalside.net

Captain Bills,Watkins Glen

607-535-4541www.senecaharborstation.com

Cruise-USA,

Union Springs

228-424-3768

www.cruise-usa.com

Erie Canal Cruise Lines,Seneca Falls

800-962-1771www.canalcruises.com

Finger Lakes Boat Rental,Aurora

315-364-8663www.ngerlakesboatrental.com

Finger Lakes Boat Tours,Geneva

585-703-0031http://www.ngerlakesboattours.com

Finger Lakes WaterAdventures, Waterloo

315-789-5520www.ngerlakeswateradventures.com

Force Seven Charters, Inc.,Seneca Lake, Waterloo

585-330-7440www.orcesevencharters.com

Fuzzy Guppies,Waterloo

315-539-8848www.uzzyguppies.com

Liberty Boat Tours,Seneca Falls, Geneva

315-246-7608 ; 315-789-5520 (Geneva)www.libertyboattours.com

Tiohero Tours,Ithaca

607-697-0166www.tioherotours

Champlain Canal

Carillon Cruises,Whitehall

802-897-5331www.carilloncruises.com

Champlain CanalTour Boats, Schuylerville

518-695-5609www.champlaincanaltours.com

Multiple Locations

Blount Small ShipAdventures, Warren, RI

800-556-7450; 401-247-0955www.blountsmallshipadventures.com

Mid-Lakes Navigation Co.,Skaneateles

800-545-4318; 315-685-8500www.midlakesnav.com

In the Wake o Irene and Lee: Use Caution

While Tropical Storms Irene and Lee caused massive ooding andunprecedented damage along the Mohawk River section o the Erie

Canal in 2011, the canal will be open, weather permitting, or a ull navigational season.

The New York State Canal Corporation recommends caution when boating betweenLocks6and14intheeasternErieCanal.Shoresiderestoration,aswellascontinuingrepairs to locks and other structures will be ongoing throughout the season.

Many private and municipal marinas experienced extensive damage as well. Boaterstraveling to the New York State Canal System this year should call ahead to veriydocking acilities are operational and advertised amenities, such as uel, water andelectric, are available.

For more inormation, visit www.canals.ny.gov


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Walk! Cycle! Jog!The Erie Canalway Trail is waiting or you.

Erie Canalway M

TRAIL SECTION REGION MILES CONNECTIONS SURFACE NOTES

Erie Canal Heritage Trail Western 114 Bualo to Newark paved, stone dust Great cycling along the canal through Western Erie Canal town

Old Erie Canal- Port Byronto Camillus

Central 28 Schasel Park in Port Byron toWarners Road in Camillus

stone dust Follows old Erie Canal route through Central New York; traversErie Canal Park, which includes restored aqueduct at Nine Mile

Old Erie Canal State Park Central 36 Dewitt to Rome stone dust Follows old Erie Canal through original canal towns; ChittenanCanal Boat Museum is on route.

Rome to Utica Mohawk Valley 14 Rome to Utica paved, stone dust Short on-road segment through Rome; o-road trail picks up ao the canal on Rte. 69.

Mohawk Hudson Bikeway Mohawk Valleyand CapitalRegion

86 Li tt le Falls to Albany paved, stone dust Trail oers opportunities to visit locks, canal towns and historicthe way.

Glens Falls FeederCanal Trail

Champlain 7 Fort Edward to Glens Falls stone dust Follows the historic eeder canal or the Champlain Canal.

365 miles: no problem. Join the growing number owho count riding across New York on the Erie Canamong their adventurous accomplishments. You caadvantage o excellent guide books and online tripmaps to help you create an itinerary that suits your(see Erie Canalway Trail Resources below).

Cycling the Erie CanalA guide to

400 miles o adventure and history along

the Erie Canalway TrailAvailable rom

Parks & Trails New York, www.ptny.org/

guidebook, 518-434-1583. Also check

PTNYs interactive Cycling the Erie Canal

website: www.ptny.org/bikecanal .

Erie Canalway Trail MapFree rom

the New York State Canal Corporation,

(800)-4CANAL4 or (518) 436-3055,

www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/trail/

index.html.

Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Map

Free rom Friends o the Mohawk-

Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, www.mhbht.org.

Glens Falls Feeder Canal TrailMap

and inormation rom the Feeder Canal

Alliance, www.eedercanal.com .

Erie Canalway Trail ResourcesTake your kids or riends or relatives or evenjust the dog. No matter how you go, take

pleasure in getting out along the water on

the Erie Canalway Trail. The 365-mile trail is

mostly level and closely parallels much o the

Erie Canal rom Albany to Bualo; more than

three-quarters is o-road on ormer canal

towpaths or rail bed.

Great or exercise or an evening stroll, the trail is also aperect way to access all sorts o interesting canal sites thatyou might miss in a car. You can visit Western New Yorkscanal villages with their distinctive lit bridges; see the 1800scanal and aqueducts in Central New York; or explore locksand historic canal remnants in the Mohawk Valley.

Short o-road trails along the Champlain Canal are alsoavailable in Waterord, Halmoon, and Schuylerville, andwork to extend the route rom Waterord to Whitehall isunderway. The Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail is a seven-miletrail along the historic eeder canal rom Glens Falls to FortEdward. The trail passes the Five Combines, an intactstaircase o ve stone locks near Fort Edward.

Seek AdventureBecome an End to End Ri

I you dont want to go it alone, sign up or the sumbiggest cycling event: Cycling the Erie Canal, JulyOrganized by Parks & Trails New York, this supporride attracts 500 cyclists o all ages and rom all over The eight-day ride begins in Bualo and ends in Alweekend options are also available.

Cycling the Erie Canal 2012

Sunday,July8:BualotoMedina

Monday,July9:MedinatoPittsford

Tuesday,July10:PittsfordtoSenecaFalls

Wednesday,July11:SenecaFallstoSyracuse

Thursday,July12:SyracusetoRome

Friday,July13:RometoCanajoharie

Saturday,July14:CanajoharietoScotia

Sunday,July15:ScotiatoAlbany

Tojointheride,contactParksandTrailsNewYork:[email protected]; www.ptny.org/canaltoucan also connect you with community greeters andhosts should youd like to welcome riders to your a


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6Erie Canalway Map & Guide

Western Erie

The Western Erie Region eatures the longest sectiono the canal that still ollows its original path andretains its historic relationship to the communities andlandscapes along its banks. As you travel by land orwater, you will nd village Main Streets, lit bridges,arm elds, and 20th century locks alongside historiclock ruins, canal engineering marvels, and cobblestoneand local sandstone buildings.

Cayuga-Seneca Canal

The Cayuga-Seneca Canal is the gateway to the FingerLakes, connecting the Erie Canal at Montezuma to92 miles o canalized rivers and lakes, including theSeneca River and Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. The regioninclude Seneca Falls, celebrated as the birthplace o thewomens rights movement, Montezuma National WildlieReuge, and the Finger Lakes Region, renowned or itsnatural beauty, elegant architecture, wine country, andworld-class cultural and recreational attractions.

Oswego Canal

The Oswego Canal connects the Erie Canal at ThreeRivers to Oswego Harbor at Lake Ontario. Though theOswego is the canal systems shortest segment, it haslong provided a critical connection to Lake Ontario andthe St. Lawrence Seaway. The Oswego Rivers bays andback channels are well suited or boating, shing,birdwatching, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors romaround the world are drawn to Oswegos active port,renowned or its estivals and exceptional sport shing.

Central New York

The keepers o the original Erie Canal are alive andwell in Central New York, despite routing changes thatredirected canal trafc rom their ront doors duringthe Barge Canal era in 1918. Communities rom Rome toSyracuse to Port Byron are among those that showcasetheir Erie Canal heritage, which can be enjoyed at manylocations. Likewise, newer canal communities alongthe current canal route rom Sylvan Beach throughBaldwinsville oer year-round recreation along the

canal and Oneida Lake.

Mohawk & Hudson Valleys

The Erie Canal once ofcially began in Albwest at Cohoes and snaked alongside the MToday, the channelized Mohawk River is thBarge Canal. The regions location alongrivers and the canal turned it into Americapowerhouse and original tech valley in tYoull nd the regions legacy o culture, artand architecture matched by the extraordinlandscapes o both river valleys.

Champlain Canal

The Champlain Canal begins at its junctionErie Canal in Waterord and runs north towhere it connects with Lake Champlain, oor waterborne commerce rom the AdironVermont, and eastern Canada. History entespecially treasure the region or its criticabattles o European exploration, conquestimperial conict, including the French & IAmerican Revolution, and War o 1812.

Regional FlavorExperience the unique avor and heritage o each region o the National Heritage Corridor.

OswegoCountyTourism

AimeeLeFever


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Erie Canalway M

Apples

Shipped bythe barrel onthe canal in the

1800s, apples arestill New Yorksleading ruit crop.

Look or armtours, apple estivals,

and pick-your-ownorchards or toast the

regions apple growers with aglass o resh cider. www.nyapplecountry.com/azapples.htm

Beer & Wine

By the 1850s, New York was the leadingproducer o hops in the nation with80 percent o the hop crop coming romCentral New York. Sample todaysbrews at the Madison County Hop Fest

(9/15/12) or nd micro-breweriesthroughout the region using the EmpireState Brewery Trail. www.iloveny.com/brewerytrails/index.html

Grapes were rst grown or wine nearSeneca Lake in the 1860s. Today, they arethe second largest ruit crop in the state.Visit Finger Lakes Wine Country to samplewhat the region has to oer.www.fngerlakeswinecountry.com

Try a Taste o History

2012 Photo ContestCapture the unique character o

the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego,

and Champlain Canals and their

surrounding communities or the

2012 Erie Canalway Photo Contest

Judges will select winning images

in the ollowing contest categories:

Bridges,Buildings,andLocks

FortheFunofIt

OntheWater

TheNatureoftheCanal

Well eature winning entries in

the 2013 Erie Canalway calendar

Deadline for submissions:

September 7, 2012

Ocial contest rules and an entry

orm can be downloaded at:www.eriecanalway.org.

Join the Fun at Festivals and Even

New York Heritage Weekend,May 1920

Celebrate New Yorks incredible heritageat one o the many venues oering specialprograms, tours, ree admission, discountsand more. www.heritageweekend.org

Canal Splash!, August 1214

Choose rom a wide variety o guided walks,bike tours, and cruises, museum and

gallery exhibits, canoe and kayak paddles,and canal-side estivals and perormancesto celebrate the history, culture, andrecreational appeal o the NYS CanalSystem and Erie Canalway NationalHeritage Corridor. www.canals.ny.gov

Hundreds o thousands o residents andvisitors celebrate their canal heritage at avariety o canal-related estivals and eventseach year. From concerts on the canal tosporting events to historic re-enactments,theres something happening everyweekend throughout the canal seasonrom May through November.

Find a local and regional calendar-o-events:www.canals.ny.gov/exvac/calendar/

index.html

Canal Schooner Lois McClure,2012 Tour, SeptemberOctober

Lois McClure, Lake Champlain MaritimeMuseums unique replica o an 1862

sailing canal boat, will visit the OswegoCanal, eastern Erie Canal, and ChamplainCanal as part o a our month journey onthe interconnected waterways o Canada,New York, and Vermont. Find a schedule otour stops and events at: www.lcmm.org

New York State Canal CoSept. 30Oct. 2, Oswego

Join canal enthusiasts, histordevelopers, elected ofcials a

to exchange ideas and learnmore about New Yorks canawww.newyorkcanals.org

Crunch into a juicy apple. Enjoy your avorite ice cream avor. Savor a micro-brewor a glass o Finger Lakes wine. Browse resh produce at a local armers market orarm stand. When youre in the Erie Canalway corridor, youll be sampling a bit othe regions agricultural heritage.

The relatively at lands and river valleys that became the canal route were equallywell suited to arming in New York. Grain, apples, hops, celery, root crops, andspecialty products like peppermint oil manuactured rom mint were among the topcrops produced and shipped along the canal in the 1800s.

Though agricultural products are no longer transported on the canal, armingcontinues to shape the landscape, economy, and local avor o the canalway corridor.

Dairy

Summer is the perect time Yorks #1 agricultural produmilkespecially when its tu

cream. Sample locally-madeand rozen custard at dairy bice cream parlors. You can alocally-made yogurt and arti

Farmers Markets

During the heyday o the can1800s, general stores and arnearly every lock enabled cato restock resh produce, oosupplies as they travelled acrToday, youll still nd some oseasonal ruits, vegetables, anwaterront armers marketsthe canal corridor.www.agrgov/AP/CommunityFarmers

www.localharvest.org/arm


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8Erie Canalway Map & Guide

Its Our Park

The exceptional scenery, history, culture, and natural resources along New YorksCanalSystemearnedthe524-milenetworkofwaterwaysandthecommunitiesalongits shores Congressional designation as a National Heritage Corridor in 2000. Thedesignation recognizes the signicance o New Yorks canals to the state and nation.

The ederal government does not own or manage national heritage area lands as it

does with traditional national parks. Because the Erie Canalway consists o bothpublic and private lands, it is up to all o us to ensure that canals, towpaths, structures,and other historical and natural eatures remain preserved and accessible to everyone.

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and sta, in partnershipwith the National Park Service, collaborate with communities and organizations topreserve and interpret our heritage, invite visitors to explore what makes us unique,and ensure a vibrant uture or the 2.7 million New Yorkers who call the ErieCanalway home.

LockportFlight;Terry

Cervi

Enjoy SummerSAFELY!

Brookeld Renewable Energy

Group invites you to share a

summer o un swimming, boating,

and shing But remember to play

it sae on the waterways Particu-

larly along river segments, condi-

tions can change quickly and

without notice We ask you to take

precautions! Avoid dams and

structures, such as powerhouses

and substations Observe all signs,

warning signals, sirens and barriers

Remember

to WEAR IT

NEW YORK!

Brookeld

encourages

everyone to

wear a personal

fotation device

when recreating on or near thewater Always check water

conditions beore you recreate

One source is www.h2oline.com.

www.brookfeldrenewable.com

Spending special time together is a avorite pastime o

any child. There are lots o ways to share a fne aternoon

or an entire vacation in the Erie Canalway National

Heritage Corridor. Here are our top fve >>

Take the Kids!

National Park Servic

U.S. Department o

Erie CanalwayNational Heritage CorrP.O. Box 219Waterord, New York 12

518-237-7000Fax 518-237-7640

[email protected]

www.eriecanalway.org

Many thankMajor unding support

this publication was pr

by the New York State

Corporation and Brook

Renewable Energy Gro

www.cana

1. Take a Boat Trip. Kids especially lovethe experience o going through locksor under lit bridges. See our list onpage 2 or canal tours and boats or hire.

2. Cycle on the Erie Canalway Trail.The o-road trail is a great, sae placeto ride. From budding two-wheelersto teens ready or a multi-day trip,the trail oers options to suit everyskill level.

3. Experience Hands on History.Most canal-related history museumsoer special programs and hands-ondisplays or children. Call ahead ora calendar-o-events or to ask aboutkid-riendly activities.

4. Go Fish! Cast your line in the canalitsel, or in smaller streams and lakesthroughout the Corridor. Commoncatches include walleye, northern

pike, small and large mouth bass, andpansh. Check shing regulationsand advisories beore you go: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7917.html

5. Cultivate a Sense o Wonder. Enjoyswimming, hiking, and nature studyat state parks, nature preserves, andNational Natural Landmarks. Youllnd dramatic wateralls, lakes, trails,and vast wetlands ull o bird lie.

Friend Sal the Mwww.acebook.com/Erie

Sal the Mule is out o re

and into the 21st Centur

Friend a mule to get Salo the Week and other

resh scoops rom

the Erie

Canalway

National

Heritage

Corridor

www.brookfeldrenewa

Documents

Erie Canalway Map & Guide