Paddling Adventures with Kids in New York

We pulled these 21 paddling trips out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in New York. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.

21 adventures found

Keuka Lake State Park

Bluff Point, NY

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy beach and campground on one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Keuka Lake State Park Camping

Bluff Point, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Open lakeside and shaded wooded campsites with a swim beach and boat launch on Keuka, the quietest …

Cranberry Lake Campground

Cranberry Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Remote lakefront campground on one of the largest and wildest Adirondack lakes. Paid entry. Best …

Moss Lake Trail

Eagle Bay, NY

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Free

Easy loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake perfect for young hikers. Free. Best from about …

Moreau Lake State Park

Gansevoort, NY

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler …

Grafton Lakes State Park

Grafton, NY

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Lifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy …

Indian Lake Islands Campground

Indian Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Paddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from …

Eighth Lake Campground

Inlet, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Lakefront campground with beach and calm water on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Paid entry. Works from …

Limekiln Lake Campground

Inlet, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Large pine-shaded campground on a clear lake near Inlet, with a sandy beach, boat launch and the …

Heart Lake

Lake Placid, NY

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy mountain lake beach with High Peaks backdrop and canoe rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler …

Mirror Lake Paddle

Lake Placid, NY

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Paddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about …

Mongaup Pond Campground

Livingston Manor, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Sandy beach and motor-free paddling on the largest Catskill pond, with wilderness trails from camp …

Forked Lake Campground

Long Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 6–18+ Paid

Mostly paddle-in shoreline campsites on a quiet Adirondack lake, a real step up from car camping for …

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground

Mount Tremper, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Lakeside Catskills campground with sandy beach and boat rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Golden Beach Campground

Raquette Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Long sandy swimming beach with a gradual toddler-friendly entry on Raquette Lake, backed by …

Raquette Lake Beach

Raquette Lake, NY

Swimming
Ages 1–18+ Free

Quiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler …

Fish Creek Pond Campground

Saranac Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Massive waterfront campground with beach and access to a chain of Adirondack ponds. Paid entry. …

Floodwood Pond

Saranac Lake, NY

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Free

Motor-free interconnected ponds perfect for family kayaking and canoe adventures. Free. Best from …

Rollins Pond Campground

Saranac Lake, NY

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Motor-free Adirondack pond camping next door to Fish Creek, with glassy water, loons at dawn and …