The Best Adirondack Lakes for Paddling.
There are roughly 3,000 named waters inside the Adirondack Park, ranging from kettle ponds the size of a parking lot to Lake George, which is thirty-two miles long. The five below are picked for a specific paddler — somebody with a kayak or canoe on the roof who wants an Adirondack flatwater experience that isn't routine.
Two of them (Long Lake, Lower Saranac) are classic, well-signed, and easy to plan around. Two (Lake Lila, Forked Lake) are quieter, with motorboat restrictions and a backcountry feel. Indian Lake threads the middle — long enough for a multi-day trip, accessible enough for an afternoon. All five have public launches and water that ranges from clear to tannin-tea depending on which inlet you're floating.
For longer trips connecting multiple waterbodies, look at the Saranac Lakes Chain (Lower → Middle → Upper) and the Raquette River corridor — both are full multi-day routes with established lean-to camping. The Park's flagship wilderness paddle, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, threads them all.
- No. I14 mi long · 4,077 ac · Hamilton County
Long Lake→
Threaded by the Raquette River with lean-to camping on the eastern shore and multiple put-ins along Route 30, Long Lake is the classic Adirondack flatwater corridor. It connects north into the Cold River and east into Forked Lake, so an afternoon paddle and a four-day trip both start from the same town beach.
- No. II~2,170 ac · DEC camping · Franklin County
Lower Saranac Lake→
The most-paddled of the Saranac Chain. The DEC public boat launch at Ampersand Bay opens into a sheltered north end with bookable island campsites; the south end runs open to wind. A confident solo paddler can circumnavigate in a long day; a family with kids can spend two days exploring the islands.
- No. III1,409 ac · No motors · Hamilton County
Lake Lila→
Wilderness paddle in the William C. Whitney Wilderness — motorboats prohibited, no power lines, no shoreline development. The 0.3-mile carry from the parking area to the put-in keeps casual day-trippers thin. Closest the Adirondacks come to a Boundary Waters experience.
- No. IV1,248 ac · Boat-in DEC camping · Hamilton County
Forked Lake→
The family-canoe pick. Connected to Long Lake by a short carry, Forked has 50+ boat-in DEC campsites, classic Adirondack shoreline, and far less traffic than the larger Saranac chain. The ideal first overnight paddle for younger paddlers.
- No. V14 mi long · ~4,365 ac · Hamilton County
Indian Lake→
Long, narrow, surrounded by state forest. Family-friendly bays on the east end, real wind exposure on the open north reach. Multiple public launches; the Adirondack League Club shoreline is private but the rest is paddleable. Pair with a stay in the Indian Lake hamlet for a low-key weekend.
Continue reading: The Paddling field guide.
The full field guide goes deeper: route planning, seasonal timing, gear, atlases, listings, and the long-form editorial behind these picks.
Open the paddling field guide→The Best Easy 46ers for Your First Adirondack High Peak
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The Best Adirondack Fire Tower Hikes
Restored 1910s-era fire towers on summits across the Adirondack Park — Hadley, Snowy, Pillsbury, Black, Hurricane. Picks ranked by difficulty + view payoff.
The Best Family-Friendly Hikes in the Adirondacks
Five short, scenic hikes under 3 miles — Mt Jo, Bald Mountain, Owls Head, Coon Mountain, Hadley. Picks chosen for kids: steady grades, real summit views, manageable round-trip time.
The Best Adirondack Fall Foliage Drives
Five scenic drives across the Park for peak foliage — Route 73, Route 28, Route 30, Whiteface Memorial Highway, Route 9N. Picks ranked by view, traffic, and seasonal timing.
The Best Adirondack Lakes for Swimming
Five lakes for swimming — Mirror Lake, Lake George, Schroon Lake, Eagle Lake, Cranberry Lake. Editor's picks for clean water, sandy beaches, and family-ready access.
- What is the best lake to kayak in the Adirondacks?For first-time visitors, Lower Saranac Lake balances accessibility (a paved public boat launch, bookable campsites) with the quintessential Adirondack island-and-shoreline experience. For wilderness solitude, Lake Lila is unmatched. For long flatwater, Long Lake.
- Are there motorboat-free lakes in the Adirondacks?Yes. Lake Lila, Pharaoh Lake, Lows Lake, and most of the small wilderness ponds in the St. Regis Canoe Area and the Five Ponds Wilderness prohibit motors. Many other lakes have horsepower limits or seasonal restrictions — check the DEC waterbody listings before you go.
- Can I camp on the shore of Adirondack lakes?Yes — the DEC maintains boat-in campsites and lean-tos on dozens of Adirondack lakes. Most are first-come, first-served and free; some (Lower Saranac, Saranac Lake Islands, Lake George islands) require advance reservation through Reserve America. Always camp 150 feet from water and pack out all trash.
- What's the best multi-day paddle route in the Adirondacks?The Saranac Chain (Lower → Middle → Upper) and the Raquette River corridor are the classic multi-day routes. For a serious thru-paddle, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail covers 740 miles from Old Forge to Fort Kent, Maine, threading the Adirondack waterbodies.
- Do I need a permit to paddle in the Adirondacks?No permit required for day paddling. Overnight camping at reserved sites (Saranac Lake Islands, Lake George Islands, certain DEC campgrounds) requires a Reserve America booking. Invasive species inspection is required at many launches — check before launching.