Paddling Made Easier
We want to enable people of all ages, skills and physical abilities to experience paddling here. This page offers information on launch sites that provide extra stability when getting in and out of the water. You'll also find adaptive rentals, information on inclusive programs, and virtual videos to help you get started.
Sites with Accessible Launches
These sites are designed to help people with a range of mobility abilities, including those who use wheelchairs or walkers, independently and safely launch and retrieve their paddlecraft. Sites are listed by canal, then alphabetically by location.
Erie Canal
| LOCATION | LAUNCH SITE | ADDRESS | NOTES | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | Port Jackson Southside Launch | Erie Terrace off Gilliland Ave. | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Paddling here is in a wide section of the Mohawk River/Erie Canal. | River |
| Baldwinsville | Baldwinsville Community Park/Lyons Park | Lion's Parkway | This launch provide access to a section of the Seneca River with flatwater paddling. | River |
| Baldwinsville | Mercer Memorial Park | 1 North St. | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | River |
| Brockport | Brockport Welcome Center | 11 Water St and Park Ave | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Buffalo | Buffalo River Kayak & Canoe | River | ||
| Chittenango | Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum | 717 Lakeport Rd | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. You will be paddling in the Old Erie Canal State Park. The are no motorized boats. | Canal |
| Fairport | Erie Canal Boat Company | 7 Lift Bridge Ln West | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Adaptive equipment available. Staff are trained to assist with adaptive paddling and cycling. | Canal |
| Fayetteville | Green Lakes State Park | Wheelchair accessible ramp with steps into kayak. Kayaks must be rented at the park. | Lake | |
| Glenville | Freeman's Bridge Boat Launch | Freeman's Bridge Rd | Dock has a launch slide. | River |
| Halfmoon | Crescent Terminal Wall | Terminal Rd | Dock has a roller dock. Kayak rentals available. | River |
| Holley | Holly Canal Park | East Ave | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Liverpool | Onondaga Lake Outlet Launch | 2152 Onondaga Lake Parkway | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | Lake/River |
| Lockport | Wide Waters Marina/Erie Canal Boat Company | 768 Market Street | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Adaptive equipment rentals available Fri-Sun. | Canal |
| Lyons | Abbey Park | 177 Water Street | Dock has an extension with slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Macedon | Macedon Canal Park | 1125 Marina Parkway | Dock has nook and overhead support bar. Launch enters into a calm side channel that connects to the Erie Canal. | Canal |
| Manlius | Poolsbrook Launch, Old Erie Canal State Park | 8767 Andrus Rd | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Adaptive equipment available. You will be paddling in the Old Erie Canal State Park. The are no motorized boats. | Canal |
| Medina | Medina Canal Basin Park | 1 Canal Basin | A long ramp leads to a dock with launch slide, transfer bench, and fixed dock cradle. | Canal |
| Newark | East of T. Spencer Knight Park | 199 Van Buren St | Coming in 2027. | Canal |
| Newark | Wide Waters Launch | 5271 Rte 31 | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Palmyra | Pal-Mac Aqueduct Park | 527 West Main St | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Pittsford | Pittsford Launch | 22 North Main St | Dock has slide and transfer bench. | Canal |
| Schenectady | Mohawk Harbor Marina | Harborside Dr | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Kayak rentals available. Launch site requires a lengthy walk from parking area. | River |
| Sylvan Beach | Cove Road Boat Launch | Cove Rd | Two-lane, concrete launch ramp with floating docks, accessible canoe/kayak launch and fishing pier. Located near where the Erie Canal meets Oneida Lake. | Lake/Canal |
| Tonawanda | Tonawanda Harbor/Gateway Harbor Park | 1 Young St | Dock with two roller slides. | Canal |
Champlain Canal
| LOCATION | LAUNCH SITE | ADDRESS | NOTES | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Edward | Fort Edward Yacht Basin | 118 Broadway | Dock has a nook and support bars above and underneath. | Canal |
| Halfmoon | Lighthouse Park | 597 Hudson Rd | Dock has a nook and overhead support bar. | River |
| Schuylerville | Hudson Crossing Park | Lock Rd | Dock has slide and transfer bench. Adaptive equipment is available upon request from the park. | River |
| Schuylerville | Saratoga Boat Launch | Rte 4, opposite CR113 | River | |
| Waterford | Waterford Point Launch | First and Front Streets | Coming summer 2027: dock with slide and transfer bench. | River |
Cayuga-Seneca Canal
| LOCATION | LAUNCH SITE | ADDRESS | NOTES | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca Falls | Seneca Falls Boat Ramp & Community Center | 35 Water St | Dock has launch slide and transfer bench. Kayak rentals available at launch. | Canal |
Try a virtual paddle
See what it's like to paddle the Erie Canal from the Erie Canal Boat Company in Fairport.