Erie - Mohawk Historic Water Trail
Exciting plans are underway to develop a 128-mile water trail along the Erie Canal - Mohawk River from Rome to Waterford. Here, the waterway flows through deep and scenic valleys, woods and farmland, and past industrial cities and small towns. All of these features will make this water trail a national treasure.
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The Mohawk River has been a water trail for centuries; c.1790
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“The Noses” Mohawk River east of Canajoharie c.1825
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Canoeing on the Erie Canal near Amsterdam c. 1905
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Schoharie Aqueduct, Fort Hunter (Photo by Halldor Sigurdsson)
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Mohawk River / Erie Canal east of Little Falls (Photo by Bart Carrig)
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Lock E18 German Flatts
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Lock E19, Town of Schuyler near Utica
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Paddlers near Fort Hunter (Photo by David Brooks)
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Mohawk River east of Herkimer
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Waterford Harbor -- Eastern gateway to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (Photo by Halldor Sigurdsson)
Water Trail in Progress
Erie Canalway is working with a number of partners to plan for improved accessibility, designate camp sites, highlight the region's rich heritage, and promote recreation. We are working with C.T. Male Associates of Latham, NY, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) to complete a planning document, create a brochure to raise public awareness of the Historic Water Trail, and develop map templates identifying routes and resources for paddlers.
Watch for developments in 2017!
For more information, please contact Mona Caron, Program Manager at mona_caron@partner.nps.org.
Can you paddle now?
Yes! Paddlers are welcome on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River. Follow guidelines on our paddling page. The water trail is designed to expand maps and information about launch and camping sites, connect the dots between sites of interest, and share the rich stories of the Mohawk Valley with paddlers.

The water trail is being developed in partnership with
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
Fort Stanwix National Monument
New York State Canal Corporation
Generous Financial Assistance provided by
- The National Park Service Northeast Region
- The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. and the Haberer Family Fund, John Crego Family Fund and the W.H. Smith Fund
- Rome Community Foundation
- Mohawk Valley Collective
- Eric Mower + Associates
- James Alden
- Russ Andrews
- Tom Blanchard
- Jim Farr
- Marilyn Higgins
- Ken Patton
- Dave Sampson
- Brian Stratton
In-kind Support
The Arkell Museum at Canajoharie
Griffiss Local Development Corporation
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation