Paddling: Everything You Need to Know

Paddling on Moody Pond in Saranac Lake

We highly recommend everyone take a paddle day in the Adirondacks at least once. 

We’ve paddled all over North America, and the Saint Regis Canoe Area in the Adirondacks is something special.

 If you haven’t paddled much before, here’s what you need to know.

Outfitter: Call the St. Regis Canoe Outfitters in Saranac Lake. 518-891-1838. Their main storefront is in Saranac Lake, plus they have an outpost on Floodwood Road (by reservation only) in the Saint Regis Canoe Area. Call or visit their Saranac Lake store, and they’ll give you tons of great advice based on your group, ages, experience level, etc. They rent canoes, gear and can provide transportation or guides if needed. In peak season (July and August), you may need to reserve equipment a few days in advance. Other great outfitters include Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters in Saranac Lake and the Racquette River Outfitters in Tupper Lake. We’ve bought a lot of gear from these other two outfitters, but when it comes to trip planning and renting canoes, we usually start with the St. Regis guys.

Recommended Gear: At a minimum you’ll need a canoe/kayak/SUP, paddle, life vest, water shoes, waterproof map of area like the Adirondack Paddler’s Map (which many outfitters will loan out), wet bag (aka dry sack) to keep your keys, phone and lunch dry, and a rain jacket just in case. Sunscreen and bug spray are handy to have along too. If you’re taking you pup along in the canoe, we recommend a waterproof leash, harness and/or life vest for the dog. We also use a grippy mat (a piece of shelf liner like this or a slip-proof shower mat) on the bottom of our canoe for Maddie.

Maddie enjoying a day on the water

Important terms: A portage or carry is when you have to physically get out of the boat and carry your canoe from one pond/lake to the next. Here’s a short video that shows you how. If you’re doing a trip with portages, pack light and pay extra to rent an ultra-light canoe. 

Pack a lunch: Order sandwiches online from Simply Gourmet and pick up on your way out. Or, call-in your order at the Lakeview Deli in Saranac Lake. (There’s often a line at both of these sandwich shops, so ordering ahead is smart!) Also check out my list of top 6 brown bag lunches to go.

Ice Cream Stop: On your return, stop at Donnelly’s soft serve stand for a cone. The trip is not complete without a Donnelly’s cone! They’re at the corner of 86 and 186. They only offer one flavor each day, and typically post the flavor schedule for each week on their Facebook page. Usually open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Beer/Dinner Stop: If you don’t end until later in the day, you might want to stop at the 1892 Bar & Grille for a burger and a beer. They’re located near Lake Clear on NY30, and have outdoor picnic tables if you have dogs, kids and/or are a little smelly from paddling all day.

Here are four of our favorite routes we recommend for visitors.

Rollins Loop

Why: This is a great introduction to the Saint Regis Canoe Area, and because it’s a loop, you don’t need to transport canoes on your vehicle. When you call St. Regis Outfitters, tell them you want to paddle the Rollins Loop and pick up your equipment from their Floodwood outpost. The outpost is conveniently located at the put-in. Paddling the ponds and down part of Fish Creek stream is so fun.

What: The route is about 8 miles long with 2-3 carries depending on beaver dams. The longest carry is about 1/3 mile, so make sure you’re well organized and packing light. From the put-in you’ll paddle Floodwood Pond over to the Fish Creek stream, pass through Little Square Pond, and take a side stream to Copperas Pond, carry to Whey Pond, then a very short carry across a road to Rollins Pond. At the top of Rollins you can sometimes get through the stream to Floodwood, but sometimes it’s better to carry.

Best timing: We recommend this trip for May, June or September, October. During peak season (July and August), parking at Floodwood can be difficult, and the crowds at Rollins Pond Campground can distract from a serene experience.

Drive Time: The Floodwood put-in is about 26 miles away, and the last section is a dirt road. It can take 40 minutes to drive there.

Osgood Pond and Osgood River

Why: This is a less crowded route, out and back. You’ll paddle past the historic White Pine Camp and the iconic tea house. You’ll need to transport your canoe(s) to the put-in, but you won’t need a second vehicle since you return to the starting point. An outfitter can help with transport if needed.

What: You can make this trip as long or as short as you like. We like to paddle north across Osgood Pond and up the Upper Osgood River. On the Adirondack Paddler’s Map North you’ll see a lone to one of the primitive campsites for lunch, and then return. We’ve also seen SUPs on this route.

Best timing: This trip is great anytime. Easy parking, and not very crowded.

Drive Time: The Osgood Pond put-in on White Pine Rd is about 20 miles from our cottage and takes about 30 minutes to drive there.

The Japanese tea house on the shore of White Pine Camp on Osgood Pond.

Lower St. Regis Lake, Black Pond and Long Pond Trail

Why: This trip combines paddling and a relatively flat hike to the Beaver Lodge lean-to. It’s a less crowded route, especially in the summer when most of the students are away from campus. You’ll need to transport your canoe(s) to the put-in, but you won’t need a second vehicle since you return to the starting point. The trails are nicely maintained by the Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) and dog-friendly.

What: There’s one carry to take your boats across Keese Mill Road. Alternatively, there’s a parking lot at Keese Mills Rd where you could park, skip the carry, and shorten the paddle, but you’ll miss a nice section of paddling.  

Best timing: This trip is great anytime. Easy parking, and not very crowded.

Drive Time: The parking at Paul Smith’s College is about 21 miles, or 35 minutes from our cottage. Once on campus, there’s free parking in a lot near the water, and you can carry your canoe(s) across the parking lot to the put-in.

Fish Creek Ponds Loop

Why: Our favorite part of this loop — like the Rollins Loop — is paddling Fish Creek stream which is absolutely beautiful and serene. The downside is a couple of the ponds allow motor boats and the larger Fish Creek Ponds campground can get crazy busy in peak season. You’ll need to transport your canoe(s) to the put-in, but you won’t need a second vehicle. Alternatively, you could use the put-in at Floodwood and rent your boat from the St. Regis outpost (no transport needed). This is a good trip if you enjoy the portage and using your navigational skills.

What: If you don’t mind transporting your canoes, we recommend the Follensby Clear Pond Boat Launch as your put-in. It’s rarely crowded, and right down the road from the Trading Post at Fish Creek Ponds where you can pick up sandwiches (just make sure they’re open).There are four relatively short carries on this trip. We recommend your loop follow Follensby Clear Pond, carry to Polliwog Pond, carry to Middle Pond, carry into Floodwood Pond for just a bit, then follow Fish Creek stream down through Little Square Pond. At this point it’s up to you whether you want to take the stream all they way to Square Pond and wrap around the campgrounds, or take the carry from the stream back to Follensby Clear Pond.

Best timing: We recommend this trip in the shoulder seasons like May, early June, September and early October. It’s a great choice when there’s fall foliage.

Drive Time: The Follensby Clear Pond put-in is about 23 miles from the cottage and takes less than 40 minutes to drive there.