If you like to paddle a canoe or kayak, then there’s one place in New York that you absolutely should not miss. The St. Regis Canoe Area in the Adirondacks near Saranac Lake covers 18,400 acres and was delineated specifically for paddlers in mind, and it’s truly a paddler’s paradise. This is the best place for paddling in New York by anyone’s standards, and once you go once, you’ll want to return time and time again to explore it more. Read on to learn more about this very special place.

The St. Regis Canoe Area in New York is very special. It's the only designated canoe area in New York and it's the largest wilderness canoe area in the northeast.
John Zelig/Google Local
This canoe area is huge. It includes 50 ponds totaling 1,621 acres of waterways. These ponds vary in size from a .5-acre unnamed pond to the 388-acre St. Regis Pond.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
No motorized boats are allowed in this area. You'll find it very quiet and serene.
Mwanner Mwanner at en.wikipediaLater version(s) were uploaded by XcepticZP at en.wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
In some places, you'll have to carry your canoe or kayak to continue on your route, but these portages are mostly short and well marked.
Carlos Tollinche/Google Local
There are dozens of places to camp in this area. There are 70 designated primitive tent sites along the shores of 20 of the ponds. Most of these sites can only be accessed by paddling. All campsites are first come, first serve.
Carlos Tollinche/Google Local

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There are also 26 miles of hiking trails in this area. Hiking to the top of St. Regis Mountain is a popular hike for paddlers who wish to take a break from paddling. The trail ascends more than 1,200 feet over 3.4 miles; you'll get to enjoy this incredible view at the end.
Carlos Tollinche/Google Local
If you're not a hiker, though, there's plenty of water here to explore by boat - certainly enough to keep you busy!
Chris Aman/Google Local
You can pull over wherever you like and enjoy a picnic lunch on the shore.
Carlos Tollinche/Google Local
You can take breaks and relax and listen to the sounds of the forest.
Marty Plante, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
You'll love the sunsets here, too.
Jetsfan317/Google Local
You can get lost in the beauty of the St. Regis Canoe area for hours or days---or a week or more. It's truly a magical place to paddle and we are so lucky to have it in New York.
Marty Desilets/Google Local

As you can see, the St. Regis Canoe Area is the best place for paddling in New York! It has so much to offer. People who have been exploring it for all of their lives still haven’t seen it all yet! Get out there this summer and check it out. You’ll be glad that you did.

Are the Adirondacks a bit far for you? Are you looking for some cool places to paddle in central New York? If so, check this post out: The Best Places To Go Kayaking And Paddleboarding Around New York’s Finger Lakes

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St. Regis Canoe Area, NY, Adirondack Park, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA