Low effort, high reward
No long portages. No shuttles. Just show up, slide your boat in, and go.
Not every paddle needs to be a full-day expedition, and in the Adirondack Hub, it doesn’t have to be. Sure, those big days with multiple carries and miles of water have their place, but sometimes you’re just trying to squeeze in an hour after work, add a quick paddle to an itinerary-packed trip, or get out on the water without committing to a full-day adventure.
Across our six towns, it’s often as simple as this: just add water. You’ll find plenty of spots where you can park, unload, and be on the water in minutes, no long carries, no complicated logistics, just easy miles and good views. Grab a kayak or canoe, or rent one when you get here, and there’s a laid-back paddle waiting nearby.
Schroon Lake
Schroon Lake (town beach launch)
Drive right up to the beach, unload, and you’re on the water in no time. Schroon Lake is big, about nine miles long, so you can chart your own route depending on how far you want to go. On windy days, hugging the shoreline makes for an easy, relaxed paddle. Scenic mountain views wrap around the lake, making every stretch picture-perfect. Weekday mornings are the quietest, and motorboats pick up on weekends. It’s also part of the Schroon Paddle Challenge if you’re into collecting patches.
Schroon River
Multiple DEC and roadside access points along the river give you a lot of flexibility. You can launch where you want or plan a point A to point B trip if you just want to drift downstream. The current is gentle, but you can always add a stretch against it for a little extra challenge. The scenery is classic Adirondack, and the whole route has a lazy-float-trip vibe that is hard to beat. Great option if open-lake paddling isn't your thing.
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake is a perfect, easy-access paddle. While it’s not in the town of Schroon Lake, it’s located nearby between Schroon Lake and the town of Ticonderoga, just off Route 74. The DEC maintains a small boat launch with parking for around six vehicles, though it does not accommodate trailers. At roughly 2.5 miles long, it’s an ideal afternoon paddle, manageable, scenic, and rarely crowded.
Paradox Lake
Paradox Lake is easy to access with a state boat launch right inside the DEC campground off Route 74. While the road to the launch is paved, the actual ramp is a single-lane launch over natural sand and gravel. There is dedicated parking for about 25 cars and trailers. Smaller and calmer than Schroon Lake, the lake features a narrow channel connecting two basins that’s fun to explore. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on-site if you don’t have your own. Keep an eye out for herons wading in the shallows as you paddle.
Minerva
Minerva Lake (Donnelly Beach)
Sandy beach launch, rentals on-site, and motors limited to 3 horsepower, which keeps the lake calm and relaxed. It’s a small lake, so no intimidating open water, just calm laps, three little islands to circle, and the occasional loon. Right in town with zero excuses not to go.
Cheney Pond
Short carry from the parking area down to a small launch, nothing steep, nothing strenuous. While “not strenuous,” the half-mile walk is just long enough that a lightweight boat cart with wheels is a great idea if you aren’t comfortable shoulder-carrying your board or boat for 10–15 minutes. Off Blue Ridge Road (County Route 84), approximately 13.4 miles west of I-87 Exit 29. The pond is quiet, usually glassy, and one of the better spots for a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). Come in October, and the hardwood color around this pond is legitimately stunning.
North Hudson
Huntley Pond
Located inside the Hudson Gorge Wilderness Area, Huntley Pond is a small, easily paddled body of water that's perfect for a no-pressure afternoon on the water. The pond's usually calm, low-wind conditions make it a great spot for SUPs, or really anyone who shows up with a kayak or canoe. Catch it at sunrise when the light streams over the trees, or head out in fall when the surrounding hardwood forest really puts on a show.
Courtney Pond
Hand launch off the access road into the Hammond Pond Wild Forest. It doesn't see much traffic, which is exactly the point. Small motorboats are technically allowed, but you'll likely have it to yourself. Low-key, off-the-radar, and genuinely peaceful, a good pick when you want to disappear for a couple of hours.
Newcomb
Lake Harris
Hard launch and beach access make this one of the most versatile spots in the central Adirondacks. Located off Route 28N, you can launch from the well-maintained town beach on the south shore or from the Lake Harris State Campground on the north side. While motorboats are allowed, the lake’s 275 acres remain relatively peaceful, offering clear water and expansive views of the High Peaks. For a longer adventure, you can paddle directly into the Hudson River from the lake's eastern end or portage into nearby Rich Lake to explore historical landmarks.
Rich Lake
Easy access from a designated parking lot on Rich Lake Lane, about 2 miles west of Newcomb Town Hall. The carry from that parking lot to the water is about 150–200 yards on a well-maintained path. It’s flat, but if you have a heavy canoe, a boat cart can be helpful. Calm water, mountain views, and a real backcountry feel, even though you're roadside. If you want to keep going, Rich Lake connects to Fishing Brook and Flat Brook. Follow your nose upstream and see where it takes you.
Long Lake
Long Lake (town beach launch)
As classic as Adirondack paddling gets. Park in town, launch from the beach, and you're on a 14-mile widening of the Raquette River with lean-tos on the shore and the Northville-Placid Trail running alongside. Rentals are available across the street. The northern end of the lake is especially scenic.
Raquette River and Raquette Lake
Easy roadside access at the Crusher Launch with mellow current and great Adirondack scenery the whole way. While you can launch at the Crusher and float downstream toward Tupper Lake, many locals prefer starting further upstream at Axton Landing and ending at the Crusher. This 9-mile trip, which includes both the river and Raquette Lake, is entirely downstream and provides a deeper wilderness feel as you pass through silver maple floodplains and mixed upland forests. This route is a good option if you've already paddled Long Lake and want something with a bit more flow.
Indian Lake
Lake Adirondack
Right in the village of Indian Lake, with an in-town launch, makes this the perfect quick-paddle spot. Calm, sheltered, and small enough to be completely manageable. Ideal for an after-dinner float when you just want to be on the water for an hour without any logistics.
Indian Lake
Big water, big views, and one of the best-equipped launches in the region. Large concrete ramp, plenty of parking, easy put-in. Rentals are available at the nearby Indian Lake Marina. Stick close to the islands and coves for a sheltered, easygoing paddle, or open it up for more of an adventure. Because it is a dam-controlled reservoir, the water level can fluctuate. In late autumn, the shoreline may have significantly receded, exposing stumps and rocky areas in the shallower coves that aren't as visible in the spring.
Lake Abanakee
Just off the main road with its own boat launch and calm, sheltered water. Smaller and quieter than Indian Lake, a good choice when you want something a little more tucked away. While the lake is quiet, it is not strictly non-motorized. Vessel speed is strictly limited to 5 mph within 100 feet of the shore, and specific Class 1 Wetland areas are restricted to passive, low-impact boating, such as canoes and kayaks, to preserve the habitat. Easy for any skill level and a solid option if the main lake is busy or windy.
Keep it simple, start planning
Sometimes the best paddles are the easiest ones, the kind where you don’t overthink it, don’t check your watch, and don’t carry your boat more than a few steps. In the Adirondack Hub, those moments are never far from the road.
