Paddle three days from Old Forge to Blue Mountain Lake across all eight of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Raquette Lake and two scenic, meandering waterways!
The 4-night, 3-day Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse provides paddlers the opportunity to experience the first leg of the famous Adirondack Canoe Classic, the “90-Miler,” over the course of a leisurely three days instead of just one. Come a day or two early to have a splashing good time at Enchanted Forest Water Safari and experience the mountain biking trails and chairlift at McCauley Mountain.
You’ll paddle from Old Forge to Inlet, First Lake through Fourth Lake, on Day One, and take in the charming mix of mountain and water scenery along the way. You also can check out the variety of homes and camps that line stretches of the shore as you paddle up the lakes. Once in Inlet, treat yourself to a fancy dinner or savor some of the best pizza in the Adirondacks. Be sure to grab a tasty ice cream or gelato at Northern Lights Creamery and amble over to Arrowhead Park to watch the sun set behind the distant mountain ridge.
On Day Two you’ll paddle into Raquette Lake via Fifth through Eighth lakes and the winding Brown’s Tract. Three portages along this section ensure that your legs as well as your arms get a little exercise over the course of your eastward journey. Accommodations, good eating, and the local atmosphere at the Raquette Lake Hotel and Taproom will make you feel at home at this popular Central Adirondack gathering spot.
You’ll cross beautiful Raquette Lake on Day Three and head up the slow-moving Marion River, following the route that yesteryear’s travelers from New York City and places beyond took to reach lavish, long gone resorts on Blue Mountain Lake. The short portage that brings you from the beginning of the Marion River to Utowana Lake runs along the former railbed of the Marion River Railroad, which connected two steamboat landings at this site and facilitated tourists’ passage to their Blue Mountain Lake destinations. Fabulous lodging options await you on Blue Mountain Lake!
Depending on where you lodge on Blue Mountain Lake and how you wish to spend the morning on your Departure Day, you can hike up to the summit of Castle Rock Mountain, with its splendid view overlooking the lake, from either the shoreline trailhead or the traditional trailhead. Spend an extra day in Blue Mountain Lake and enjoy all that the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, has to offer!
Call us at (518) 354-5109 or Joe at (315) 657-1320 to book your trip!
Photo by Evan Williams | PureADK.com
Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse
Old Forge
Arrive in Old Forge.
Click through the tabs at the top to see the full itinerary.
Welcome to Old Forge, the southwest gateway to the Adirondacks!
The 4-night, 3-day Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse provides paddlers the opportunity to experience the first leg of the famous Adirondack Canoe Classic, the “90-Miler,” over the course of a leisurely three days instead of just one. Come a day or two early to have a splashing good time at Enchanted Forest Water Safari and experience the mountain biking trails and chairlift at McCauley Mountain.
Inlet
You’ll paddle from Old Forge to Inlet, First Lake through Fourth Lake, on Day One, and take in the charming mix of mountain and water scenery along the way. You also can check out the variety of homes and camps that line stretches of the shore as you paddle up the lakes. Once in Inlet, treat yourself to a fancy dinner or savor some of the best pizza in the Adirondacks. Be sure to grab a tasty ice cream or gelato at Northern Lights Creamery and amble over to Arrowhead Park to watch the sun set behind the distant mountain ridge.
Raquette Lake
On Day Two you’ll paddle into Raquette Lake via Fifth through Eighth lakes and the winding Brown’s Tract. Three portages along this section ensure that your legs as well as your arms get a little exercise over the course of your eastward journey. Accommodations, good eating, and the local atmosphere at the Raquette Lake Hotel and Taproom will make you feel at home at this popular Central Adirondack gathering spot.
Blue Mountain Lake
You’ll cross beautiful Raquette Lake on Day Three and head up the slow-moving Marion River, following the route that yesteryear’s travelers from New York City and places beyond took to reach lavish, long gone resorts on Blue Mountain Lake. The short portage that brings you from the beginning of the Marion River to Utowana Lake runs along the former railbed of the Marion River Railroad, which connected two steamboat landings at this site and facilitated tourists’ passage to their Blue Mountain Lake destinations. Fabulous lodging options await you on Blue Mountain Lake!
Blue Mountain Lake
Depending on where you lodge on Blue Mountain Lake and how you wish to spend the morning on your Departure Day, you can hike up to the summit of Castle Rock Mountain, with its splendid view overlooking the lake, from either the shoreline trailhead or the traditional trailhead. Spend an extra day in Blue Mountain Lake and enjoy all that the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, has to offer!
Click the table to view larger
Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse with Great Camp Sagamore Option
Old Forge
Arrive in Old Forge.
Click through the tabs at the top to see the full itinerary.
Welcome to Old Forge, the southwest gateway to the Adirondacks!
The 4-night, 3-day Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse provides paddlers the opportunity to experience the first leg of the famous Adirondack Canoe Classic, the “90-Miler,” over the course of a leisurely three days instead of just one. Come a day or two early to have a splashing good time at Enchanted Forest Water Safari and experience the mountain biking trails and chairlift at McCauley Mountain.
Inlet
You’ll paddle from Old Forge to Inlet, First Lake through Fourth Lake, on Day One, and take in the charming mix of mountain and water scenery along the way. You also can check out the variety of homes and camps that line stretches of the shore as you paddle up the lakes. Once in Inlet, treat yourself to a fancy dinner or savor some of the best pizza in the Adirondacks. Be sure to grab a tasty ice cream or gelato at Northern Lights Creamery and amble over to Arrowhead Park to watch the sun set behind the distant mountain ridge.
Raquette Lake
On Day Two you’ll paddle into Raquette Lake via Fifth through Eighth lakes and the winding Brown’s Tract. Three portages along this section ensure that your legs as well as your arms get a little exercise over the course of your eastward journey. Accommodations, good eating, and the local atmosphere at the Raquette Lake Hotel and Taproom will make you feel at home at this popular Central Adirondack gathering spot.
Great Camp Sagamore
Day 3: On this day, you’ll paddle from the Raquette Lake Marina across South Bay over to and up the peaceful, winding South Inlet. You will need to get out of your boat and lock it up on the left (east) side of the river when you encounter the base of the modest but beautiful Cascade Falls. This is a great spot for a rest break! From here you’ll hike the 1.7 miles on the Powerhouse, Big Slope, and Lake trails into Great Camp Sagamore. We recommend you take and enjoy the 1:30 PM tour as you will need to cover ground on DAY 4 in traveling from Great Camp Sagamore to The Hedges.
Blue Mountain Lake
After a hearty breakfast at Great Camp Sagamore, you’ll hike the Lake, Big Slope, and Powerhouse trails back to Cascade Falls, where you’ll grab your boat and make your may down the South Inlet to Raquette Lake. Here you’ll cross South Bay, bend your way eastward around Long Point, and head up the slow-moving Marion River. This route now follows the route that yesteryear’s travelers from New York City and places beyond took to reach lavish, long-gone resorts on Blue Mountain Lake. The short portage that brings you from the beginning of the Marion River to Utowana Lake runs along the former railbed of the Marion River Railroad, which connected two steamboat landings at this site and facilitated tourists’ passage to their Blue Mountain Lake destinations. After the portage, you’ll paddle the lengths of Utowana and Eagle lakes into Blue Mountain Lake, where fabulous lodging options await you.
Blue Mountain Lake
Depending on where you lodge on Blue Mountain Lake and how you wish to spend the morning on your Departure Day, you can hike up to the summit of Castle Rock Mountain, with its splendid view overlooking the lake, from either the shoreline trailhead or the traditional trailhead. Spend an extra day in Blue Mountain Lake and enjoy all that the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, has to offer!
Click the table to view larger
Route Highlights:
- Twelve lakes: First Lake through Eighth Lake of the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Raquette Lake, Utowana Lake, Eagle Lake, and Blue Mountain Lake
- The variety in architecture of camps and homes along the shore
- Old growth White Pine trees in the Cathedral Pines grove along Seventh Lake
- The winding waterways of Brown’s Tract and the Marion River
- Fine dining at Misters Bistro in Old Forge and The Woods Inn and The Seventh Lake House in Inlet
- Pizza at the Screamen Eagle, voted the best pizza in the Adirondacks by Adirondack Life readers
- Optional Dinner Cruise aboard the W.W. Durant on Raquette Lake
- Side hike option up Castle Rock Mountain
Click the map to view larger
Old Forge – Blue Mountain Lake Paddle Traverse
Fall Trip Availability Calendar
| Night 1 Old Forge |
Night 2 Inlet |
Night 3 Raquette Lake |
Night 4 Blue Mountain Lake |
OUT! |
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
Please call Joe at (315) 657-1320 or email him at joe@adkh2h.org to explore opportunities to do this trip in the Fall.
Call us at (518) 354-5109 or Joe at (315) 657-1320 to book your trip!
Photo by Johnathan Esper | Wildernesscapes Photography
Did you know that…
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Raquette Lake has 99 miles of shoreline?
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The waters of the Marion River become the Raquette River, flow north, and empty into the St. Lawrence River?
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The 3/4-mile long Marion River Railroad was the shortest standard-gauge railroad in the United States?
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The long-gone Prospect House in Blue Mountain Lake was the first hotel in the world to have incandescent electric lighting in all its guests’ bedrooms?
Our Vision - Trips for Everyone
Weekend trips. Week-long trips. Some all hiking. Some all paddling. Some in which you can do both-- paddle and hike, even paddle and bike. No matter how long your selected route or your mode of travel, there are no tents to carry, camp stoves to struggle with, or mosquitoes biting you in your sleep on an Adirondack Hamlets to Huts trek.
You will travel to and through charming and historic Adirondack communities as well as amazing wild landscapes that make the Adirondacks the special place that it is. Our routes celebrate both the settled and the sublime, the culture of the Adirondacks as much as its nature. Your lodging will run the gamut, from the simple, such as walled tents, yurts, cabins, and motels, to the grand, including bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, lodges, and inns.
Come to the Adirondacks and experience the Park with Adirondack Hamlets to Huts. Adventure by day. Comfort at night.
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