Erie Canalway

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Erie Canalway Map & Guide Waterford T here’s no better time to explore and enjoy the Erie Canal! Visit during this monumental anniversary year and choose from exciting events, bicentennial concerts, tours, historic voyages, and tons of fun on the water and trail. You’ll find the red carpet rolled out to greet you. The Erie Canal has opened every year since 1825! You likely know the basic story: dug with picks and shovels by farmers and immigrants, the 363-milelong canal connected Albany to Buffalo, and the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. It gave rise to cities along its path, contributed to the rise of New York, Cleveland, and Chicago, and made New York the Empire State. But there’s so much more. The history of the nation is reflected in its waters. The Erie Canal knitted together a national identity from diverse immigrant communities but also contributed to the O G S ’ T E L ! CONTENTS THEN & NOW: WATERFORD Let’s Go!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Take to the Water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Canal Boating Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 dispossession of Native Americans. It spurred the rise of manufacturing and innovation and witnessed rust-belt decline. It served as a pathway for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad and sparked the Women’s Rights Movement. And today, it is revitalizing waterfronts and communities and preparing for its next century of service. The Erie Canal has endured for 200 years thanks to the men and women who maintain and operate it, the people who innovate and champion it, and all who use it. Let 2025 be your invitation to visit, experience, and be a part of the Erie Canal’s future! Enjoy the Canalway Trail. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Erie Canalway Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bicentennial Bucket List . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bigger, Faster, Cheaper…Better! . . . . . 6 Voyage of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Bicentennial Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Become a Junior Ranger. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Join the Canalway Challenge! . . . . . . . 8 On the Canals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Enter the Erie Canalway Photo Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2025 Lockport N ew York’s canals offer an unparalleled place to recreate with family and friends while discovering the incredible history and beauty of America’s most famous human-made waterway. From boat rentals to multiday bike rides to visiting state and national parks, there’s plenty to explore on and off the water. THEN & NOW: LOCKPORT Canal Boating Basics Paddle the Canals Explore the canal by kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard! Paddling here is unique and varied as you float through century-old locks; paddle alongside tugboats and cruisers; and experience narrow canal channels and wider river segments. There are more than 150 public launches, lots of amenities, and rental outfitters at numerous locations. The mile-by-mile NYS Canalway Water Trail Guidebook and Map Set is an excellent trip planning resource—available for downloading or order from Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (free with $20 USD shipping). Take to the Water The New York State Canal System is the centerpiece of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The 524-mile waterway traverses both land-cut canal and river sections, as well as several large lakes. You can also visit portions of the Old Erie, Oswego, and Champlain canals built in the 1800s. These historic remnants offer an incredibly rich and fascinating look at canal engineering and craftsmanship. 2 Erie Canalway Map & Guide Take a Boat Tour Rent a Canal Boat You’ll find boat tours within an hour’s drive of every major city in the Canalway Corridor. Select from themed tours, dinner cruises, music, and more. Most tours will give you the experience of going through a lock. Specialty cruises, sailing adventures, and wine tours are offered on lake and river sections of the waterway. Vacation rentals provide an idyllic way to experience the canal. You’ll get lessons in steering, docking, and locking before heading out, so you can feel confident on the water even if you’re not an experienced boater. Rental boats are well-equipped with sleeping quarters, a galley, and deck space for relaxing; many come with bikes, so you can enjoy the Canalway Trail too. Launch Your Own Boat Watch the Boats Go By With more than 80 public boat ramps it’s easier than ever to get on the canal. Many communities offer visitor centers with showers, laundry, hook-ups, and other boater amenities right in the center of town. Marinas and public docks also provide services. The NYS Canal System includes Oneida, Onondaga, Cross, Cayuga, and Seneca lakes, where you can enjoy water sports, beaches, and sailing. Visit canal promenades, parks, and visitor centers, or check out one of the NYS Canal System’s 57 locks to see their massive gates and mechanical gears. Take a picnic or bring your fishing pole. Don’t be shy about greeting boaters tied up on shore. Many are traveling on the canals as part of a 6,000-mile voyage known as the Great Loop (www.greatloop.org). These boaters are eager to meet locals and share their journey. • The NYS Canal System is open daily from May 16 to November 3, 2025. • Boating is free and no permit is needed to go through a lock. • Lock tenders are on hand to assist you and make your experience going through locks easy and enjoyable. • It typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to go through a lock. More time is needed for several locks on the Champlain Canal that use double draning to prevent the spread of invasive species. • Power boats and paddlers share the canal, so be mindful of speed limits and wakes. • Make boating safety a priority. Consult the New York State Boater’s Guide for registration, operation, and safety information. https://parks.ny.gov/boating/ • Clean, drain & dry! Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by cleaning your boat and gear after every takeout or before your next trip in a new body of water. Never release fish, animals, or plants from one body of water to another. • Sign up to receive Notices and Alerts with the latest information about hours, canal opening/ closures, water levels, and other elements affecting navigation. www.canals.ny.gov Enjoy the Canalway Trail Plan Your Trip Explore New York State’s extraordinary people and places along the 750-mile Empire State Trail. The trail includes the east-west Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo and north-south trails from New York City through the Hudson River Valley to Lake Champlain. Travelers from around the world have been enjoying New York’s canals for two centuries. Thankfully, getting here and finding amenities are much easier today. Whether you like to cycle, hike, run, or roll, the trail is an ideal place for fun, fitness, and adventure. The trail is both accessible and varied, so you can head out with friends or family for a few miles or enjoy an unforgettable multiday adventure. Lodging, dining, and visitor services are readily available short distances off the trail. The 65-mile Champlain Canalway Trail includes a mix of off- and on-road segments from Waterford to Whitehall. The trail closely parallels the Hudson River/ Champlain Canal through a region rich in Revolutionary War history. Forty percent of the route is off-road trail. At Fort Edward, the 9-mile off-road Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail connects to the Glens Falls Bikeway and Lake George. Port Byron The 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail closely parallels both active and historic sections of the Erie Canal. You’ll see unique canal structures like locks and lift bridges, as well as all types of boats, and you’ll discover canal communities and historic sites that are intriguing and fun cycling destinations. More than 85% percent is off-road. The remaining on-road sections are designated on the shoulders of public roadways, intended for experienced bicyclists comfortable riding adjacent to vehicle traffic. Getting Here: The canal is accessible by car, boat, bicycle, and train, and from major airports in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. These larger “canal towns” are good places to begin your trip. The New York State Thruway (I-90) and Amtrak parallel the Erie Canal from Albany to Buffalo. Northway I-87 and NY Route 4 provide access to the Champlain Canal from Waterford to Whitehall. State and county roads thread through the hamlets, villages, and cities that grew along the waterway and provide access to canal towns, attractions, and historic sites. THEN & NOW: CYCLING THE ERIE CANAL n Historical Society Ogde Spencerport Cycling Club, courtesy Amenities: Parking areas, restrooms, accommodations, food, and visitor information centers are located all along the waterway. Camping is available at public and private campgrounds and at designated locks. Comprehensive guidebooks, maps, and multiday itineraries are available to help you plan a trip. • eriecanalway.org • empiretrail.ny.gov • nycanalmap.com • cycletheeriecanal.org • canals.ny.gov Erie Canalway Map & Guide 3 Bicentennial Bucket List Baldwinsville 10 best things to do along the canal. Herkimer Cycle the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail. Take a day trip or go the distance from Buffalo to Albany for an epic adventure with easy access to communities, attractions, and amenities along the way. Chittenango Cruise the canal. Relax and enjoy great scenery while cruising through history on a boat tour or board your own vessel and discover the best way to experience upstate New York. ERIE CANAL Holley 104 Lockport Fulton 31A Brockport Nia 190 ga Riv 90 5 Batavia Macedon 14 r ve Canandaigua 5 ne North 20 Ge 0 14 Celebrate 200 years at a bicentennial event. Canal 34 414 Cortla Keuka Lake 86 Ithaca Watkins Glen Montour Falls 13 Camillus festivals, concerts, performances, and historic talks are happening all season long from Buffalo to Albany. Don’t miss the Voyage of the Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief, beginning September 24 (see page 7). Touch history along the 1800s Erie Canal. Follow the old towpath Amsterdam 4 Erie Canalway Map & Guide Aurora e Lak Dresden a Cayug Canandaigua Lake L a ke 19th-century canals Canal lock; details: www.canals.ny.gov/maps Seneca Falls 90 Seneca 90 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Camillus 5 89 40 Miles Canals operating today Onondag Lake Auburn Cayuga Waterloo Geneva 40 Kilometers 0 Port Byron Montezuma CAYUGA–SENECA CANAL see Ri 20 Cross Lake Jordan Lyons Palmyra NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY Weedsport Clyde Newark 31 63 77 LAKE ERIE 414 390 er Buffalo Baldwinsville Fairport Pittsford 48 34 21 490 Tonawanda Phoen Rochester Spencerport North Niagara Tonawanda Falls ra 481 104 98 78 OSWEGO CANAL 19 Albion Medina Niagara Falls 3 Minetto 259 63 Middleport 31 Oswego LAKE ONTARIO 18 TO TORONTO Paddle through a lock. Rent a kayak or bring your own and “lock through” as you’re lifted or lowered through a massive steel and cement structure, often referred to as an “elevator for boats.” One of the most unique recreational experiences in New York State! and discover the remains of the Enlarged Erie Canal from Montezuma to Rome, the Old Erie Canal Heritage Park at Port Byron, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site near Amsterdam, and at the Enlarged Erie Lock 60 in Macedon. About the New York State Canal System The New York State Canal System includes the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca, and Oswego Canals. This 524-mile-long historic waterway connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes across the heart of New York State. It is operated by the NYS Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. Sign up for Notice to Mariners Alerts: www.canals.ny.gov Sa Lake Champlain Marvel at the canal’s big engineering. Be sure to see at least Savor regional food & craft beverages. Try regional one lock, lift bridge, or movable dam up close. To see extraordinary structures, visit the Lockport Flight of Five, Medina Falls & Aqueduct and Culvert Road in Medina, Lock 17 in Little Falls, and the Waterford Flight. specialties like Utica greens, chicken riggies, tomato pie, Syracuse salt potatoes, Buffalo wings, or a Rochester garbage plate. Grab a pint at a brewery— Lake many have brews that pay homage to the Erie Canal. Champlain Slow down in a canal town. Schenectady Medina Visit the “100 Must See Miles” in villages from Medina to Clyde, hunt for antiques in the Mohawk Valley, or head to the larger “canal towns” of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, or Albany for a fun weekend getaway. 12 81 TO MONTREAL 8 30 Fairport Lake George Fort Ann 149 Glens Falls 13 Cleveland Brewerton 49 8 Sylvan Beach Oneida Lake Rome 365 HP nal S Oneida Utica 5S 5 Canastota Chittenango ERIE CANAL Frankfort Ilion 90 167 28 20 80 k aw oh Syracuse 32 29 9 40 St. Johnsville 92 Schuylerville Saratoga Springs 29 Little Falls Herkimer M r ve Ri 67 Fonda Stillwater Amsterdam Fort Plain 30A Mechanicville Rexford 5 30 Canajoharie Schenectady 10 28 12 ree eC ari Y O R K Troy Albany k Cooperstown N E W Waterford Cohoes Vischer Ferry 20 13 VT oh 88 Chase a waterfall. Many of New York’s best falls are all here! Find them in Cohoes, Rochester (High Falls), Holley, and Medina or in state parks throughout the Finger Lakes, including Taughannock, Buttermilk, and Watkins Glen. 81 90 Oneonta TO NEW YORK CITY MA 87 Syracuse Cohoes Falls Connect to culture. The Erie Canal has deep ties to influential art, culture, and history, including social reform movements like abolition and Women’s Rights. Discover these connections at museums, historic sites, and cultural centers across the state. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in New York State TACONIC STATE PARKWAY Binghamton Hudson River and Fayetteville 4 Great Sacandaga Lake Oriskany Old Erie Ca 173 87 12 46 31 Liverpool ga Fort Edward 46 Sch nix Whitehall CHAMPLAIN CANAL Erie Canalway Map & Guide 5 Bigger, Faster, Cheaper…Better! ERIE CANAL YEARS S ince its grand opening in 1825, the Erie Canal and adjoining canals have been enlarged three times to make way for larger boats and more traffic. Changes were made to the route and to canal structures like locks and bridges each time. You can see all three eras of the canal system today. You’ll also discover innovative ways that the canals are continuing to evolve for today’s users and the next generation. Syracuse Brockport 1825 1836-1862 1918-today 2025 – Original Erie Canal Enlarged Erie Canal Erie (Barge) Canal The Next Century The original Erie Canal was more than twice as long as any previously constructed European canals. At 363 miles long it connected the tidal Hudson River at Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo through a series of 83 locks. People from around the world came to tour America’s new engineering marvel. At just four feet deep and 40 feet wide, the original Erie Canal quickly became choked with boats. It was enlarged starting in 1836 and only a few original structures remain. The Enlarged Erie built upon and improved the original. At seven feet deep and 70 feet wide, the canal could handle increased loads and traffic. If you’re looking at an old canal lock, canal wall, or aqueduct, it’s probably from the era of the Enlarged Erie. You’ll also find evidence of New York’s canal heritage on buildings and roads. If you see street names like Erie Boulevard or Water Street, it’s a good bet that the old canal route is buried under the pavement. With the advent of motorized vessels, mules and towpaths were no longer needed along the canal. New York State enlarged the canals and moved some sections into rivers and lakes to create the New York State Barge Canal System. The structures and channels of the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals that operate today are largely unchanged from when the system went into operation in 1918. The NYS Canal System achieved designation as a National Historic Landmark in 2016. Groundwork for the next chapter of the New York State Canal System is being laid today. The canal is evolving from a linear recreationway to a more complete network of waterways, parks, and trails. The circle of users is expanding to include people from all walks of life who find many ways to enjoy the canals—from boating, cycling, hiking, and paddling to long-distance adventure trips, to the Arts, history, and culture. A focus on resiliency and stewardship is also helping to ensure that the canal’s expansive infrastructure and green spaces are well cared for today and into the future. Little Falls Lyons Clinton’s Ditch, William Rickarby Miller (American, born England, 1818–1893), watercolor on paper, 1852. Albany Institute of History & Art 6 Erie Canalway Map & Guide The Bicentennial Voyage of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief O n September 24, 2025, Buffalo Maritime Center’s replica of the Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief will embark on its Bicentennial Voyage, commemorating Governor DeWitt Clinton’s historic 1825 journey from Buffalo to New York Harbor. Construction of the Seneca Chief was one of the largest community boatbuilding endeavors in the world. Led by two professional Buffalo Maritime Center shipwrights, more than 200 volunteers were actively engaged in the project. Bicentennial Events T ake advantage of special events, concerts, tours, and programs and visit local museums to learn about people, places, and innovations along the canals. See the full lineup: eriecanalway.org/events June 14: Erie Canal Boat Float and Folk Festival, Chittenango June 22: Paddle the Canal: Erie Canal 200!, Waterford July 2-8: Water Music NY: More Voices, multiple locations A Buffalo Maritime Center crew, comprised of staff and volunteers, will navigate the 33-day voyage, departing from Buffalo’s Commercial Slip—the former western terminus of the Erie Canal—and traveling to Pier 26 in New York City for a celebration on October 26. Along the way, the boat will dock at 28 ports. Community members and visitors are invited to engage in educational programs, community storytelling, shoreline exhibits, and hands-on activities at each stop. Visitors will also have the Become a Junior Ranger Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet or download it online and enjoy fun activities to learn about the New York State Canal System. Complete the activity booklet to earn your official Junior Ranger certificate and badge. chance to board the Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief for docent-led tours exploring the evolution of boatbuilding, the significance of the original 1825 voyage, and the people and goods that shaped the canal’s history. The Seneca Chief also will be open for public viewing while docked in the Commercial Slip at Buffalo’s Canalside throughout the summer. For details and a schedule of stops, visit www.buffalomaritimecenter.org July 13-20: Cycle the Erie Canal, Buffalo to Albany August 1-28: Flotsam River Circus—2025 Erie Canal Tour, Multiple dates and locations September 16-20: The Erie Canal: America’s Gateway Tour, New York City to Buffalo September 21-25: World Canals Conference 2025, Buffalo September 24-October 26: Bicentennial Voyage of Erie Canal boat Seneca Chief, Buffalo to Albany to NYC October 26: Bicentennial Commemoration, New York City WORD SEARCH List of Goods C O A L D F B R O R P A G B Q T E C F L O U R U P E N U A S S T Apples Furniture I T O O L Brooms Hay C L O T Cheese Lumber Clothing Salt Coal Tools P Z H I N G P H H M M C N F R A E P S J K Q I E Y Flour Wheat E T U W H E A T S M S F X L R V E L S A L N T B R U M B T I Y H L E Erie Canalway Map & Guide 7 Join the Canalway Challenge FREE Accessible and Welcoming Recreation for All The New York State Canal System’s exceptional scenery, history, culture, and natural resources earned the 524-mile waterway and the communities along its shores Congressional designation as the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in 2000. The designation recognizes the significance of New York’s canals to the state and nation. With over 37,000 participants in On the Canals adventures so far, the program is entering its sixth year, offering free recreational adventures and cultural heritage experiences across upstate New York. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves New York’s extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of historic waterway. 518-237-7000 info@eriecanalway.org www.eriecanalway.org Trace history, track miles, and reap rewards through the Canalway Challenge. This free program lets you choose your own personal mileage goal and then walk, hike, cycle, roll, or paddle at your own pace to achieve it. Select 15, 90, 180, or 360 miles. Or do 200 miles for the Erie Canal’s 200th Anniversary! Kids and people with mobility challenges are welcome to begin with the 1st Mile Challenge. You’ll earn mileage status and a recognition sticker, magnet, and commemorative Erie Canal 200 patch when you finish. Participation is open to individuals, teams, and organizations. Invite your friends, family members, or coworkers and start logging miles! www.canalwaychallenge.org Many thanks to our generous tourism supporters: On the Canals offers something for everyone—kayaking, cycling, boat tours, birding, wildlife hikes, painting, and more. The adventures are short in duration and provide a great opportunity to learn something new. Most On the Canals programming is accessible and inclusive, ensuring people with and without disabilities can participate together. The New York State Canal System is operated by the New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. 1-800-4CANAL4 public.info@canals.ny.gov www.canals.ny.gov Get Outside. Get On the Canals! For more information, visit www.onthecanals.com ENTE R THE Erie Canalway Photo Contest Deadline: August 29, 2025 8 Erie Canalway Map & Guide Seneca Falls, Charles Cappellino Submit up to three photos of your favorite places, views, and people enjoying the canals for a chance to win a spot in the 2026 edition of the Erie Canalway calendar. Images must be horizontal format. Enter today! www.eriecanalway.org/ get-involved/photo-contest ® I LOVE NEW YORK is a registered trademark and service mark of the New York State Department of Economic Development; used with permission.