Three days of Adirondack paddling 

The Adirondack Canoe Classic (otherwise known as "The 90 Miler") is an amazing paddling race (which welcomes canoes, war canoes, kayaks, and guideboats) held on the historic "Highway of the Adirondacks" on the weekend after Labor Day. This three-day, 90-mile Adirondack canoe race concludes at the DEC boat launch on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, welcoming triumphant finishers and concluding with a ceremonial dinner.

While participants have the advantage of lighter boats, pit crews, and trailering from the finish to start lines each day, they are paddling, carrying, and camping along the same chain of lakes, rivers, and carries taken by early European settlers and local Adirondack guides.

This is a continuous route from Old Forge, via the Moose River through the Fulton Chain Lakes, to Raquette Lake, then via the Raquette River to Forked Lake, Long Lake and finally via the Stony Creek Ponds and the Indian Carry to Upper Saranac Lake. The route then proceeds via Bartletts Carry to Middle Saranac Lake and Lower Saranac Lake, and finally, Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, the village. As extensive as this route appears, it is only the first leg of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which stretches all the way to Maine.

The 90 Miler is open to all age groups and classes, from professional to family recreational there is a group for everyone, and has welcomed participants from all over the world.

Adirondack 90-Miler Day 1 Map 

Adirondack 90-Miler Day 2 Map

Adirondack 90-Miler Day 3 Map

For up-to-date information including how to register and the best places for spectators to see the canoe racing action, check out the official 90-Miler Race page on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail website.

Three groups of participants leaving the water in the water in the 90-Miler Adirondack Canoe Classic
Two people paddling a blue canoe on a calm lake with trees in the background. Two large rocks poke through the water in the foreground.
Spectators watch groups of Adirondack 90-Miler participants leaving the water and carrying their vessels towards Middle Saranac Lake on a dirt trail
A man in a black canoe paddles across a lake during the Adirondack Canoe Classic
Groups of spectators watch the Adirondack 90-Miler
Two men paddle a black canoe across a lake during the Adirondack 90-Miler
Spectators watch twoAdirondack Canoe Classic athletes leave the water during one of the carries in the race
A man carries a yellow canoe over his head on a dirt trail through the woods
Groups of racers carrying their kayaks and canoes towards the next launching point of the Adirondack Canoe Classic
A team of women in matching blue shirts carry a beautiful wooden canoe on a dirt path through the woods to the next launching point in the Adirondack 90-Miler
Groups prepare to launch after one of the carries in the Adirondack 90-Miler
A group of young people competing in the Adirondack 90-Miler preparing to start the race
A team navigates one of the carries with their canoe in the Adirondack Canoe Classic

 


We have plenty of paddling and camping and lodging in and around Saranac Lake for your own exploration experience. You don't have to go 90 miles in your canoe, but you can still have a great time!