Paddling Adventures with Kids in New York

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Saranac Lake, NY

Saranac Lake Islands Camping

Paddle-in island camping on the Saranac Lakes with 87 primitive sites. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Bluff Point, NY

Keuka Lake State Park

Sandy beach and campground on one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

• Swimming
• Ages 2+
• ~4h
• Paid

Bluff Point, NY

Keuka Lake State Park Camping

Open lakeside and shaded wooded campsites with a swim beach and boat launch on Keuka, the quietest of the big Finger Lakes

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Cranberry Lake, NY

Cranberry Lake Campground

Remote lakefront campground on one of the largest and wildest Adirondack lakes. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 3+
• Overnight
• Paid

Eagle Bay, NY

Moss Lake Trail

Easy loop trail around a pristine Adirondack lake perfect for young hikers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

• Hiking
• Ages 3+
• ~2h
• Free

Gansevoort, NY

Moreau Lake State Park

Sandy lake beach, campground, and ridge trails near Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

• Swimming
• Ages 2+
• ~4h
• Paid

Grafton, NY

Grafton Lakes State Park

Lifeguarded sandy beach, easy nature trails, and shore fishing at Grafton Lakes State Park near Troy NY - day use $10 per vehicle in season

• Swimming
• Ages 2+
• ~3h
• Paid

Indian Lake, NY

Indian Lake Islands Campground

Paddle-in island camping on scenic Indian Lake in the central Adirondacks. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Inlet, NY

Eighth Lake Campground

Lakefront campground with beach and calm water on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Inlet, NY

Limekiln Lake Campground

Large pine-shaded campground on a clear lake near Inlet, with a sandy beach, boat launch and the Moose River Plains at the gate

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Lake George, NY

Lake George Islands Camping

Boat-access island camping on pristine Lake George. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Plan to stay overnight. Dogs welcome.

• Camping
• Ages 5+
• Overnight
• Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Heart Lake

Sandy mountain lake beach with High Peaks backdrop and canoe rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

• Swimming
• Ages 2+
• ~3h
• Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Boat Rental

Rent a small sailboat by the hour on motor-free Mirror Lake, right on Main Street. Paid, walk-up, no reservation needed.

• Sailing
• Ages 5+
• ~1h
• Paid

Lake Placid, NY

Mirror Lake Paddle

Paddle a kayak or canoe on the calm motor-free waters of Mirror Lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

• Kayaking
• Ages 4+
• ~2h
• Paid

Livingston Manor, NY

Mongaup Pond Campground

Sandy beach and motor-free paddling on the largest Catskill pond, with wilderness trails from camp and under three hours from NYC

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Long Lake, NY

Forked Lake Campground

Mostly paddle-in shoreline campsites on a quiet Adirondack lake, a real step up from car camping for families who can paddle gear in

• Camping
• Ages 6+
• Overnight
• Paid

Mount Tremper, NY

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground

Lakeside Catskills campground with sandy beach and boat rentals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Raquette Lake, NY

Golden Beach Campground

Long sandy swimming beach with a gradual toddler-friendly entry on Raquette Lake, backed by pine-shaded campsites and a boat launch

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Raquette Lake, NY

Raquette Lake Beach

Quiet sandy beach on one of the prettiest lakes in the central Adirondacks. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

• Swimming
• Ages 1+
• ~3h
• Free

Saranac Lake, NY

Fish Creek Pond Campground

Massive waterfront campground with beach and access to a chain of Adirondack ponds. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Plan to stay overnight.

• Camping
• Ages 2+
• Overnight
• Paid

Saranac Lake, NY

Floodwood Pond

Motor-free interconnected ponds perfect for family kayaking and canoe adventures. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

• Kayaking
• Ages 4+
• ~4h
• Free

Saranac Lake, NY

Rollins Pond Campground

Motor-free Adirondack pond camping next door to Fish Creek, with glassy water, loons at dawn and shoreline sites for paddlers

• Camping
• Ages 3+
• Overnight
• Paid