Paddle From New York to Maine: the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

What stretches 740 miles, crosses 4 states and joins two countries? The Northern Forest Canoe Trail gives you the unique opportunity to paddle continuously through New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Quebec, you’ll follow the longest inland water trail in the US.

The trail encompasses:

• 22 rivers and streams
• 58 lakes and ponds
• 45 communities
• 62 portages

Paddlers follow routes used by Native Americans, voyageurs, settlers and explorers for centuries. The Trail is supported and promoted by the NFCT stewardship organization, they offer maps, books, and an online Trip Planner to help you plan a paddling route and connect you to local services. You can rent or buy equipment from experienced outfitters or you can hire a guide to take you deep into the wilderness. Accommodations range from primitive campsites to bed-and-breakfasts and historic hotels.

The Northern Forest Canoe Trail stewards and volunteers are passionate – every year they work to clear trails, replace signage, maintain campsites, repair damage done and keep this waterway open for all.

Highlights and Suggested Trips:

Connecticut River
Bordered by agricultural fields, the wide and gentle Connecticut River offers a leisurely float along its sandy turns with plenty of places to stop for a picnic and a swim. Several short Class I–II rapids at the start lead to a slow, placid river…

Memphremagog South Bay
Paddle the South Bay, a small, shallow appendage of Lake Mempremagog, beautifully surrounded by low hills and known for exceptional birding. The bay is fed by the Black and Barton Rivers, both of which run through the South Bay Wildlife Management Area. These rivers offer a fun side paddle to explore the quiet waters where they meet the lake…

Upper Ammonoosuc
Meander your way through lush riparian forest as you paddle approximately 10 miles on the Upper Ammonoosuc River. The river is typically slow moving until you get closer to the town of Stark, NH. Between the take-out in Stark and the white covered bridge is a fun stretch of class II water when the river is up…

Flagstaff Lake
Historic Flagstaff Lake, at nearly 30 miles long, wraps neatly around the base of the striking Bigelow Mountain Range. Paddling includes shallow seasonal water, marshes and flat water, and amazing views of the mountains. The town of Eustis and village of Stratton offer a variety of lodging options, the town of Flagstaff was established in 1775 by Benedict Arnold’s forces on their way to Quebec…

Fulton Chain of Lakes
This paddle follows a series of lakes through classic Adirondack scenery: forested mountains rising above lakeside cottages, Adirondack great camps, small towns, and tree-lined shores. Flatwater ponds and small shallow lakes are connected by portages. This trip starts on Old Forge Pond at the western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Take out is at the state run Eight Lake Campground boat launch off state Route 28.

Long Lake to Axton Landing
This trip combines lake and river paddling in the heart of the New York State’s Adirondack Park. Most paddlers choose to spend the first night on the lake, heading into the wild Raquette River on the second day. Long Lake can be choppy, especially at its southern end near the river. The Raquette River is a windy, slow-moving river. The biggest challenge on the river is navigating the 1.3-mile portage, which includes some hilly terrain…

All photos courtesy The Northern Forest Canoe Trail https://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org

Explore the Trail and Plan Your Trip >

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