Paddling Cayuga Lake

The Cayuga Lake Inlet is located at the southern end of the lake. There are a few sites you can launch from, one of which is Stewart Park, which has plenty of amenities.

There are lots of waterways you can choose to explore in the inlet, Fall Creek, Pleasant Grove Brook, and Cascadilla Creek, among others. 

Nearby is the Cayuga Inlet Lighthouse, which was first built in 1917 and moved to its current location in 1927. Expect to see some birds as well because the Fuertes Wild Fowl Preserve and Renwick Bird Sanctuary are adjacent to Stewart Park. 

If you want to do some touristy things, you can also paddle up to one of the on-the-water restaurants, park your kayak or canoe, and catch a meal or wine tasting.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Stewart Park, 1 James L Gibbs Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 273-8364
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Various waterways to explore
• Nearby bird sanctuaries
• Cayuga Inlet Lighthouse
• Access restaurants and wineries by water
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

If you’re looking for a longer paddle, you can loop through the Cayuga-Seneca Canal, Clyde River, and Erie Canal on an 11-mile trip. You can also paddle sections of it as well. Easy peasy.

The Clyde River runs along the north side of the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, which provides a relaxing and enjoyable paddle sightseeing and wildlife viewing. Many bird species stop over at the wildlife refuge during all seasons of the year. Spring and fall migration times give you opportunities for seeing species that merely pass through without stopping long. 

There are a couple of sections where you will have to make a decision if you want to continue forward, such as at the dam on Clyde’s River, and Lock 25 on the canal. You can either turn around and return where you came from, carry your craft past the dam, or move through the lock system, respectively. No way is better than the other - just another Finger Lakes adventure!

Highlights

• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍Mays Point, Tyre, NY 13148
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• 11.2 mile loop
• Paddle the entire loop
• Make it an out-and-back paddle
• Pass through the two New York canal systems
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

One of the largest inland marinas in New York, there is plenty of space at the Allan H. Treman State Marine Park for you to launch your small craft

If you are trailering your boat, this marina park has an 8-lane boat launch ramp. If you are coming to stay for a while, they offer kayak and canoe slips for rent.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Wildlife viewing
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍805 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 272-1460
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State marine park: 91 acres
• 8-lane boat launch ramp
• Kayak and canoe slips

• Grills
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Located at the northern end of the lake, in Seneca Falls, at Cayuga Lake State Park you can launch your canoe or kayak on the hard surface ramp, go fishing for northern pike and lake trout (among other species), then camp and swim at your leisure. 

Or, you can just take off to the open lake to bask in the scenery and enjoy the sunshine.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Camping
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Ice fishing
• Hunting
• Snowshoeing
• Cross country skiing

Getting there

• 📍2678 Lower Lake Rd, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
• 📞 (315) 568-5163
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 141 acres

• Hard-surface launch ramp
• Ample parking
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Operated by the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, at Dean’s Cove Boat Launch you can launch large and small watercraft, fish, and hunt.

You won’t find other facilities here, so if you’re making it a day on the lake only, this is a great place to launch because you don’t have to deal with the crowds of non-boaters.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Fishing
• Hunting

Getting there

• 📍5761 NY-89, Romulus, NY 14541
• 📞 (315) 568-5163
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Hard-surface launch ramp
• No facilities
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Dryden Lake is a 105-acre lake at the center of the Dryden Lake Multi-Use Area, about a half an hour away from the southern point of Cayuga Lake.

Dryden Lake is excellent for fishing, paddling, and small craft if you're looking for a little serenity while you're visiting. Regulations limit boats to electric motors only, probably due to the fact that the lake is less than one mile long and maxes out at 12 feet deep. 

Luckily, the state does maintain a hard-surface launch ramp for your visit, and parking for about 15 cars.

Highlights

• Fishing
• Paddling
• Hunting
• Viewing wildlife
• Hiking

Getting there

• 📍62 W Lake Rd, Dryden, NY 13053
• 📞 607-753-3095
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Hard-surface launch ramp
• Electric motors only in motorized craft
• Parking for 15 cars
• Dogs allowed
• Free entry

Run by the village of Union Springs, if you’re on the northeastern shore of Cayuga Lake and need to launch your boat, come to Frontenac Park. There are two concrete launch ramps for putting in your boat. 

Additionally, the park has pavilions and a gazebo, a swimming area, a baseball diamond, basketball court, and a soccer field. 

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍15 Creamery Rd, Union Springs, NY 13160
• 📞 (315) 889-7265
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park: 27 acres
• Hard-surface launch ramp

• Views of Frontenac Island
• Pavilions and gazebo
• Picnic areas
• Wheelchair Accessible
• Service dogs only
• Entry fee

Located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in Aurora, Long Point State Park has two boat launch sites for you to choose from.

Cayuga Lake has amazing fishing, so if you bring your pole, Long Point State Park is a most excellent spot to choose.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Hunting
• Viewing wildlife

Getting there

• 📍2063 Lake Rd, Aurora, NY 13026
• 📞 (315) 364-5637
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 296 acres
• Two hard-surface launch ramps

• 4.5 miles of hiking trails
• Playground
• Picnic areas
• Max 2 leashed dogs allowd
• Entry fee

You can access both Cayuga Lake and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal by launching from Mud Lock Ramp. Mud Lock is actually ‘Lock 1’ of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal. 

If you go far enough on canal, you will eventually connect to the historic Erie Canal. And if you go far enough after that, you can actually navigate to the Atlantic Ocean and out to the greater world. I don’t think you’ll be able to accomplish it in a day though, so plan accordingly.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍136-198 River Rd, Cayuga, NY 13034
• 📞 (607) 753-3095
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Hard-surface launch ramp
• Good for launching motor boats and kayaks/canoes
• Parking for 19 cars with trailers
• Access Cayuga Lake
• Access Cayuga-Seneca Canal
• No facilities
• Dogs allowed
• Free Entry

You can get a day or seasonal launch pass at Myers Park in Lansing. If you’re a senior citizen, be sure to mention this for the discounted price!

The Myers Park marina also has seasonal kayak storage. The park itself has campsites, amenities, and hiking trails in addition to the marina.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Camping
• Fishing

Getting there

• 📍1 Lansing Park Rd, Lansing, NY 14882
• 📞 (607) 533-7388 
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park: 31 acres
• Hard-surface launch ramp
• Seasonal kayak storage

• View the Cayuga Inlet Lighthouse
• Senior citizen discount
• Dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Across Salmon Creek from Myers Park, you can launch your non-motorized craft into Cayuga Lake from Salt Point.

Salt Point is excellent for viewing wildlife and fishing, as well as accessing the creek and lake. 

Highlights

• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife
• Fishing
• Hiking

Getting there

• 📍Salt Point Road, Lansing, NY 14882
• 📞 (607) 533-7388 
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• Municipal park: 34 acres
• Launch for non-motorized craft only
• Dogs on leash
• Free entry

Located at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, Stewart Park is a large public park with many amenities to engage the public. It has a dock you can launch your canoe or kayak off, and Paddle-N-More rents out kayaks during the summer season.

There are many other things to do at Stewart Park as well if you are looking at a day of fun that includes more than paddling. It's got bocci ball, a splash pad, playgrounds, walking trails, and summer rec programs. 

Bring your binoculars because two bird sanctuaries sit adjacent to the park.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Viewing wildlife
• Walking

Getting there

• 📍1 James L Gibbs Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 📞 (607) 273-8364
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• City park: 177 acres
• Kayak and canoe launch
• Rentals available in park

• Walking trails
• Playground
• Adjacent bird sanctuaries
• Splash pad
• Amenities
• Carousel
• Dogs on leash
• Free entry

If you like waterfalls on the side of your paddling, come to Taughannack Falls State Park.

Don’t let me mislead you though, you won’t see this 215-foot cascade from your kayak - but it's definitely worth taking the time to see. 

But, even if you aren’t interested in hiking to the fall, Taughannack Falls State Park still offers a state-maintained boat launch and marina. This launch will put you out into Cayuga Lake about ⅓ of the lake’s length up from Ithaca on the western shore. From there, you can access the greater lake, the wineries, fishing, and fun in the sun.

Highlights

• Paddling
• Boating
• Fishing
• Camping
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Viewing wildlife
• Snowshoeing
• Cross country skiing

Getting there

• 📍1740 Taughannock Blvd.
  Trumansburg, NY 14886
• 📞 (607) 387-6739
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Features

• State park: 750 acres
• Kayak and canoe launch
• Marina

• Max 2 leashed dogs allowed
• Entry fee

Cayuga Lake Boat Rentals offers three- to seven-day rentals on their kayaks, canoes, and SUPs.

They frequently deliver to Dean’s Cove, but can also bring your rental right to your dock.

Getting there

• 📞 (315) 515-0077

Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) Outfitters supplies outdoor gear to students - but also the entire community, including visitors. You can rent kayaks and canoes, as well as camping gear, cross-country ski equipment, and more.

They also have an annual gear sale if you are looking to buy or sell.

Getting there

• 📍 B01 Bartels Hall, 554 Campus Road
  Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
• 📞 607-255-1807
• 📧 coewizard@gmail.com

“Make every day an adventure” with Finger Lakes Adventure Gear - or at the very least, make your visit to the Finger Lakes an adventure. 

Located in the Aurora area on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, this is a small, family owned business that loves what they do. You can choose from full-day, three-day, or weekly rentals.

Getting there

• 📍 Aurora, NY 13026
• 📞 (315) 237-8731 
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps

Looking for more than just renting a kayak? Lessons? Guided tours? Windsurfing lessons? 

Look no further than Paddle-N-More which offers all of these options, plus some. 

Plus - they’ve got locations at Myers Park, Stewart Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park, making it super easy to connect with them.

Getting there

• 📞 (607) 288-3470 
• 📧 customer@paddlenmore.com

This livery is located near Seneca Lake, but they deliver to Keuka, Canandaigua, Cayuga, Waneta, and Lamokas, in addition to Seneca. 

They offer a variety of solo or tandem craft you can choose from.

Getting there

• 📍 440 Hall Rd, Himrod, NY 14842
• 📞 (607) 243-9100
• 🗺 Find on Google Maps