The lowdown

This is a multi-day trip. It is the New York portion of the 740-mile waterway that ends in Fort Kent, Maine.  

Fact check

• Total distance: 90-95 miles
• Length of time: 7-9 days
• 10 portages
• Flat water
• One way
• Motorboats have access to the majority of the waterways

Logistics

• Public parking is available in Old Forge and Saranac Lake
• Put-in at Old Forge. Take out at Lake Flower access. Note that St. Regis Canoe Outfitters provides transportation/shuttles and other supportive resources for thru-paddlers.

The paddle

Northern Forest Canoe Trail: from Old Forge to Saranac Lake to Lake Champlain (90 Miler)

The paddling route begins in Old Forge, along the Fulton Chain of Lakes, following the path of Iroquois trappers in birch bark canoes. The route takes you through Long Lake to the Raquette River, then on into the Saranac lakes and the Saranac River. From there the journey continues on into Lake Champlain, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Quebec, Canada, with the journey ending in Fort Kent, Maine.  

Recommended resources: Adirondack Paddler’s Map: North, South, Raquette River, and Saranac Lakes; as well as Northern Forest Canoe Trail Map Series. 

Online resources 

• https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org/  
• https://www.canoeoutfitters.com/trip-planning/northern-forest-canoe-trail