St. Regis Chain of Lakes

Paddle the historic waterways known to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, see Adirondack Great Camps, and visit the former hotel where several United States Presidents and titans of American society came to recreate.

How to get there

Parking is in the large lot to the right of the library on the Paul Smith’s College Campus, 12 miles northwest of Saranac Lake. The campus entrance is located at the intersection of Route 86 and Route 30. Put in at the public access on Lower St. Regis Lake, formerly known as Akwesasne Lake.

By the numbers

• Varying distances depending on route taken.

Paddling

From the public access on Lower St. Regis Lake, formerly known as Akwesasne Lake, paddle 2.5 miles down to the dam where Paul Smith generated electricity for his hotel complex. You can also paddle across the lake to the marshy "slough", through Spitfire lake past historic Rabbit Island, and paddle out into Upper St. Regis Lake. You can return to campus or take out at the public launch to the left of the St. Regis Shore Owners boat launch at the end of the St. Regis Carry Rd.