March 14, 2019
I am drawn to water like a moth to light. The sound is therapeutic, the movement is hypnotic. Simply put, a day on the water is good for the soul. My love affair with water has lead me to countless towns that hug the water's edge. While the water is a draw, it takes more than that to make a place a cool paddling town. It needs the combo of water galore and water ingrained in day-to-day life. I have dropped anchor in Saranac Lake because it is legit. And here's why.
Lake is in the name
When a town has "lake" in its name, it better give off a solid water vibe. Saranac Lake doesn’t disappoint. Set in a scenic mountain valley, Saranac Lake offers land, water, and seclusion. It is smack dab in the center of the Adirondacks' 30,000 miles of paddling routes. Surrounded by the Saranac Lake Chain of Lakes (after which it is named), tons of smaller waterbodies, and the nearby St. Regis Canoe Area.
Water access
Saranac Lake has right-out-of-your-backdoor paddling abundance. You can begin and end your day on the water right from downtown. Lake Flower is the showpiece in the middle of town. It's actually the result of damming the Saranac River, which runs through town and connects to the Saranac chain — Lower, Middle, and Upper Saranac lakes. It is a daily reminder of how connected you are to the water.
As far as launch-ability it doesn’t get more convenient. In the Saranac Lake area the New York Department of Environmental Conservation operates 12 public boat launches. Another perk of all this water is boat-access-only camping; between Lower and Middle Saranac lakes there are 87 campsites. From dropping your canoe into Lake Flower after lunch, you can be sitting fireside at a campsite by evening.
Paddle festivals
There is no doubt that Saranac Lakers have hometown pride. They are all about supporting the common good and having fun while they’re at it. It’s no surprise they have a long list of cool events.
A couple of traditional long-standing water events:
The Adirondack Canoe Classic, also known as the 90-miler, started in the early '80s. It is a three-day 90-mile race. The course starts in Old Forge, NY, and finishes on Lake Flower.
The ‘Round the Mountain canoe race started in the late '80s. The course starts on Ampersand Bay and finishes on Lake Flower to circle Dewey Mountain, where there's a popular cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and mountain biking trail network.
A couple of hip homegrown water events:
Adirondack SUP Festival is a weekend of stand-up-paddleboard inspired activities for the family on Lake Colby, including an intro to SUP clinic, on-water demos, guided SUP tour, after school kids session, and races. There are long and short race courses, and just-for-fun races — including a pooch race and a tandem sprint.
The Saranac Lake Cardboard Boat Races happen on the shores of Lake Flower. Cardboard boat race participants have to construct a boat using cardboard, duct tape, glue, and latex paint. Award categories include Best in Show and Most Spectacular Sinking. All proceeds are donated to the Northern Forest Canoe Trail's Northern Forest Explorers scholarship program, a program that gives local kids the opportunity to spend a week outside paddling, camping, and learning outdoor skills.
Lake life
There are some 100 communities in the Adirondacks, but Saranac Lake tends to draw creative types who add to the decidely different character of the village. Life here is seamless, from work to water to chilling out in town. Canoes on cars and Chacos on feet are a common sight. Before or after paddling, spend time downtown and you'll see what we mean — historic architecture, live music, art galleries, and a variety of dining options, speciality shops, and outdoor outfitters await!
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