Getting Here

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Getting Here


From Nearby Metro Areas

New York City & Boston- The eastern part of the canal corridor is just a three-hour drive north of New York City and a three-hour drive west from Boston. Begin in New York's Capital Region.

Niagara Falls &Toronto- The western part of the canal corridor is a 30-minute drive from Niagara Falls and a two-hour drive from Toronto. Begin in the Western Erie Region.

Montreal- The northeastern end is a three-hour drive south from Montreal. Begin in the Champlain Region.

By CAR

The New York State Thruway (I-90) roughly parallels the Erie Canalway route from Albany to Buffalo. Northway 1-87 provides access from Albany to Whitehall. The best way to explore the Canalway Corridor by car is along state and county roads that hug the water more closely and thread through the hamlets, villages, and cities that grew along the waterways. These include: NY Rte. 31 in western New York; NY Rte. 5 and 5S in the Mohawk Valley; NY Rte. 48, 481, and County Rte 57 along the Oswego Canal; NY Rte. 4 along the Champlain Canal ...and a host of smaller roads in between.

By RAIL

Amtrak provides passenger rail service through the Canalway Corridor with several stops each day. The Maple Leaf Line provides daily east-west service with stops in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenectady, and Albany. The Adirondack Line provides daily service along the Champlain Canal with stops in Fort Edward and Whitehall.

By BIKE

Bicycling is a popular way enjoy the Erie Canalway. More than three-quarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail is now complete between Buffalo and Albany. The trail connects with other on road trails leading throughout New York State, providing one of the most extensive trail networks in the country.

By BOAT

What better way to explore the Erie Canalway than by boat? The New York State Canal System operates from early May to mid-November. The New York State Canal Corporation is responsible for canal operation and maintenance. For more information on lock hours of operation, call 1-800-4-canal-4 or visit NYS CANAL CORPORATION - BOATING PAGE.

Operating Hours and Seasons


The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor's communities, museums, historic and cultural sites, and natural areas are worth exploring year-round. The canal is typically open from May 1 - November 15, weather depending. It is closed to boat traffic during the winter. The Erie Canalway Trail is open year-round for recreation.

Fees and Reservations


There are no admission fees to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. There are fees for boating through the locks and private and non-profit historic sites, state parks, and some wildlife preserves may charge admission or accept donations for special events and programs.

The New York State Canal Corporation is responsible for canal operation and maintenance. Current information on fees for boating through the locks and up-to-date notices to mariners may be found at the NYS CANAL CORPORATION.