Submitted by Brian Yates, ECNHC

The Mohawk River and Erie Canal has recently been designated a National Blue Water Trail.  To make the trail more accessible the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has a new online water trail map to help paddlers plan trips and enjoy the Mohawk River and Erie Canal through the Mohawk Towpath Byway Corridor and beyond. The interactive map covers 128-miles from Rome to Waterford and includes launch sites, canoe/kayak rental facilities, camp sites, amenities, and attractions. Plans are underway to expand to the entire NYS Canal System within two years.

Many people don’t realize that the canal isn’t just for power vessels, large and small. Kayaks, canoes, rowing shells, and stand up paddle boards are all welcome. The interactive map makes it easy for paddlers to get on the water for an afternoon or several days.

On the Mohawk on a steamy summer evening.

Paddling presents a unique way to follow in history’s wake and discover the waterway’s many treasures. Paddlers can find traces of the past everywhere along the route, from Native American heritage to Revolutionary War sites to places that fueled the Industrial Revolution to engineering feats of canal construction.

For more information on the water trail, or to find out how you can be part of the project, contact Brian Yates, Program Manager at brian_yates@partner.nps.gov or (518) 237-7000, Ext. 220.  Brian is receptive so you can nominate new sites, your old favorites, or just comment on some of the current entries.