Your ADKTrailMap.com Adventure will be an experience to treasure!

Not only do the Adirondack Mountains boast an abundance of peaks to climb, but also streams, rivers, and lakes to paddle. Paddling a canoe or kayak down a backcountry stream on a warm, sunny day is an incredible opportunity to connect with the “Forever Wild” nature of the Adirondacks, giving you the ability to take in the sights and sounds of the flora and fauna in a very unobtrusive way. With roughly 8,000 miles of lakes and streams and hundreds of major lakes and ponds, the possibilities for paddling are nearly endless.

To make the most out of your Adirondacks experience, we here at ADKTrailMap.com have assembled a guide to help you have a safe and enjoyable journey while paddling. Remember to review this guide each time you pack for your trip to ensure that you don't leave anything behind.

The first stop for planning any paddling trip to New York's Adirondack Mountains should be to ADKTrailMap.com. From here you can plan your route by browsing the map; seeing where to park; finding put-in and take-out locations; and exploring an array of other outdoor recreation activities.

ADKTrailMap.com is also available on mobile devices with limited features. For full functionality on smartphones, download our free 'Adirondack Trails' app from the either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Whitewater Information:

Although you may be interested in visiting the Adirondacks to paddle on flatwater, plenty of opportunities for whitewater exist ranging from from family-friendly Class I ripples to intense Class V rapids. If you are new to whitewater, do not start without the help from experts. Instead, find one of the many paddling guides and/or outfitters that offer guided trips and tours for all levels of ability.

The vast majority of whitewater outfitters are located along the Hudson River and in the greater Hudson Valley. However, equipped and experienced whitewater paddlers can find also find opportunities throughout the Adirondack Park.

Before You Leave Home

Safety

• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check the weather.
  • In the event you see lightening and/or hear thunder, take precautions immediately. If no sturdy structures are nearby, know what to do by reading this guide
• Know when it's going to get dark.
  • Use the US Naval Observatory's “Complete sun and moon data for one day” to get precise sunset and 'last light' times: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php
• Check water levels if paddling on streams or rivers.
  • Calm streams can become much more challenging and far less suitable for a leisurely paddle during times of high water.

Equipment

To ensure a positive experience, PRIOR to leaving, use our helpful checklist to make sure no stone is left unturned when packing for the trip.

• PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES
• WATER
  • pack extra water to have in your car for when you return
  • for wilderness and/or overnight trips, bring water purification tablets or a filter
• FOOD
• EXTRA CLOTHING (non-cotton)
  • dress in layers
  • when cotton becomes wet, it looses its insulating properties, which can contribute to hypothermia, even in mild temperatures.
• WATER SHOES
• HEADLAMPS and/or FLASHLIGHTS
  • check that they work before heading out
  • bring extra batteries
• FIRST AID SUPPLIES
• MATCHES (waterproof) / CANDLES / LIGHTER
• TOOLS / REPAIR KITS
• EMERGENCY SHELTER
  • at a minimum, a garbage bag or poncho would suffice to help stay dry in the event of a sudden downpour
• SUN PROTECTION
  • sunscreen
  • hat
  • sunglasses
  • In open water there is absolutely no shade available. Also, water reflects more ultraviolet radiation than does the ground, so the time it takes less time to get sunburned on the water than on land.
• BUG REPELLENT
• MAPS / COMPASS / ADIRONDACK TRAILS PHONE APP
• WATERPROOF CONTAINERS
  • Pack all (or as many as possible) of the above items into waterproof containers.

When Out on the Water

In case of any emergency know the DEC Forest Ranger Adirondacks Emergency Phone Line: 518-891-0235

If you have cell service in the Adirondacks, dialing 911 may direct you to a 911 Dispatcher in a neighboring county or potentially even Vermont. If for any reason a 911 Dispatcher can not assist you, dial the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Phone Line. DEC Forest Rangers are highly trained emergency responders knowledgeable of the geography and subtleties of the Adirondack Mountains.

• Balance the load in your canoe or kayak to help prevent the risk of turning over, and tie down your belongings and waterproof containers to prevent loosing any.
• Wear your Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  • You should wear a PFD at all times while paddling. If you enter the water without a PFD, it is extremely difficult to put one on, especially in cold water.
  • Water temperatures in the Adirondacks often remain cold or cool well into the summer. Wearing a PFD can significantly increase your chances of survival in cold water.
  • You are required by law to wear a PFD from November 1st to May 1st.
  • All children under age 12 must wear a PFD at all times while in a boat of any size.

• If portaging, see these helpful tips

Paddle responsibly

• When it comes to anything you bring with you on the water, remember: “Pack-in, pack-out,” even if the items are biodegradable
• Be mindful of noise, as sound travels well relatively easily over water
• Do not block put-in or take-out locations
• If there are no privies available, dispose of human waste by digging a 6” – 8” hole at least 150 feet from water or campsites.
• Follow the Leave No Trace principles:
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors ( © Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics )