Saint Regis Canoe Area

New York’s only Canoe Area, 50 ponds linked by carries.

Fifty ponds in 18,400 acres of protected forest, linked by short carries and dotted with first-come paddle-in campsites. The Seven Carries, from Little Clear Pond to the St. Regis Lakes, is the classic day or overnight, with the fire tower on St. Regis Mountain in view most of the way. It suits paddlers happy to shoulder a light boat, and the outfitters in Saranac Lake rent ultralight canoes for exactly that.

At a glance

Protected area

18,400 acres

Ponds

50, up to 388-acre St. Regis Pond

Classic route

Seven Carries, Little Clear Pond to Lower St. Regis Lake

Campsites

70 primitive, first come, first served

Trails and carries

26 miles

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Multi-day trips
• Paddle-in camping
• Motor-free water
• Boat rentals
• Guided tours
• Wildlife
• Fishing

Rentals, guides and shops

• St. Regis Canoe Outfitters

  Lightweight canoe and kayak rentals, full outfitting packages, boat shuttles and guided day and overnight trips, from a base on the Saranac River in Saranac Lake.

• Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters

  Paddling shop across from Lake Flower in Saranac Lake with gear, boat sales, free test paddles and trip planning help.

• Raquette River Outfitters

  Canoe, kayak and SUP rentals and sales from shops in Tupper Lake and Lake Placid.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• RaceWeekend after Labor Day (usual)Usually

  Adirondack Canoe Classic (90-Miler)

  Three days and 90 miles of canoe, kayak and guideboat racing from Old Forge to Saranac Lake along the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. The 2026 race ran Sept 11–13; registration opened July 1 and filled.

Where to stay

• hotelHotel Saranac

  Restored 1920s hotel in downtown Saranac Lake.

  20 min drive
• hotelvoco Saranac Lake

  Newer upscale hotel on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake.

  20 min drive

Nearby

• Saint Regis Mountain · 10 min drive

  A 3.4-mile climb to a restored fire tower with a view over the canoe area’s ponds.

• Paul Smith’s College VIC · 10 min drive

  Free nature trails and boardwalks through forest and marsh, run by Paul Smith’s College.

• Adirondack Fish Hatchery · 5 min drive

  DEC hatchery beside the canoe area with an indoor visitor center and a pool of salmon.

• Saranac Lake Islands Campground · 20 min drive

  Boat-access island campsites on the Saranac Lakes next door, an easy next trip with the same outfitters.

Getting there

• Adirondack Regional (SLK) · about 10 min drive
• Verona, NY · about 3 hr
• Albany · about 2.75 hr
• Montreal · about 2.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps