Situated in the northeast of the US and bordering Canada, New York State is known for being home to one of the most famous cities in America: The Big Apple. Boasting some of the most iconic landmarks in the US, including the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and One World Trade Center, as well as its yellow cabs, Broadway musicals, and, of course, Times Square, New York City is one of the top tourist destinations in the country.

That said, New York State has much more to offer outside its most famous city. So, between locations in the Big Apple and serene spots in rural and suburban New York, here are the best locations to kayak in New York, state-wide.

RELATED: 10 Bucket-List Things You Have To Do In New York City Before Summer Ends

10 LIC Community Boathouse, Long Island City

Long Island cityscape, New York, USA
Photo by Pierre Bouyer on Unsplash
Long Island cityscape, New York, USA

The Long Island City Community Boathouse is one of the best kayaking spots in New York State. The LIC Community Boathouse features public kayaking events in spring and summer at Socrates' Beach at Hallets Cove that can attract beginners and seasoned kayakers alike.

The LIC Community Boathouse enjoys a rating of 4.2/5 on Google from 10 reviews. This location also has a five-star rating from 33 reviews on Facebook and 4.5 stars from 9 reviews on Yelp.

RELATED: Beyond The City: 10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit On Long Island

9 Pier 26, Hudson River Park

Hudson river surrounding the NYC skyline with various boats on the water
Photo by Florian Wehde on Unsplash
Hudson river surrounding the NYC skyline with various boats on the water

Pier 26 Hudson River Park is a 2.5-acre pier with an ecological theme and is among the best places to kayak in New York State. Pier 26, found in the Hudson River Estuary, expands out and over the Hudson River, providing incredible views of the One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty. This Tribeca pier features indigenous plants that were present in the Manhattan ecosystem prior to the birth of NYC.

Free public access to the harbor is available via the kayaking programs available, run by the Downtown Boathouse. As is the norm for this list, Pier 26 Hudson River Park is well-suited to newcomers and experienced kayakers alike. Kayaking on the Hudson River is just one of many things to do in Manhattan, with museums, Broadway, and much more available to entertain tourists during their stay in the Big Apple.

  • Location: Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10013, United States
  • Pricing: Free
  • Google Reviews: 4.7/5
  • Experience levels: Beginner to expert

8 Kayak Staten Island

Staten Island Ferry in New York City traversing the water with green terrain and a bridge in the background
Photo by Stephanie Corona on Unsplash
Staten Island Ferry in New York City traversing the water with green terrain and a bridge in the background

Since 2008, Kayak Staten Island has offered low-cost and free kayaking services in the city's southernmost borough (Staten Island is also home to some of NYC's oldest buildings). They offer services at 850 Page Avenue and 777 Front Street.

Starting with the 850 Page Avenue setup, this location features a free public walk-up launch site. This includes supervised paddling and generally involves paddling along relatively calm waters. Kids can come along once they are supervised by an adult.

On 777 Front Street, Kayak Staten Island offers affordable guide tours from their North Shore launch site. The launch site is a parking site that can be found between the Clifton and Stapleton train stations. Tours use double-occupancy kayaks, so kayakers will want to go in twos. Conditions are more variable than the relatively calm waters at 850 Page Avenue.

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Recent pricing has ranged from around $7 to $13 per ticket.

Visitors will need to access Staten Island by ferry from Lower Manhattan.

7 Inwood Canoe Club, Manhattan

New York City skyline at dusk with boats on the Hudson River
Photo by Pauline Bernfeld on Unsplash
New York City skyline at dusk with boats on the Hudson River

Inwood Canoe Club offers a free paddling program running each summer. Kayakers who join the program can develop their kayaking skills and participate in efforts to clean along the Hudson River shore.

Inwood Canoe Club's free kayaking and canoeing runs from Sunday, May 28th to September 3rd, 2023, and so is likely to run for similar dates in 2024 and beyond. Kayakers considering membership will need to take part in Open Houses, clean-ups, and other events while networking with club members in an effort to get a foot in the door. Membership is tight, so these sorts of steps are necessary to have a chance of getting a foot in the door!

6 Genesee River Gorge, Rochester

Genesee River flowing through its gorge, New York, USA
Photo by David Coffing on Unsplash
Genesee River flowing through its gorge, New York, USA

Covering four miles through Rochester, New York, on the Lake Ontario US-Canadian border, the Genesee River Gorge is a great option for experienced kayakers seeking an experience outside the city. The Genesee River is generally flat and relatively easy to navigate. That said, as always, kayakers should have sufficient experience before considering an unsupervised kayak adventure.

The river is largely devoid of rapids. However, the one exception to the otherwise smooth and gentle rule of the Genesee River is the fish weir which is bumpier. This is an especially popular kayaking spot in upper New York, so tourists in need of a kayak rental will want to ensure they book one well ahead of time unless, of course, they have their own kayak.

It's important that travelers are aware of the location of the waterfalls in the region so that they do not get too close to them accidentally.

5 The Indian River And Indian Lakes, Hamilton County

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Sun shines through the clouds on to the clam Indian Lake waters in upper New York State with hills and clouds in the background
Via: w:en:Dsyrengelas, Wikimedia Commons, under Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Sun shines through the clouds on to the clam Indian Lake waters in upper New York State with hills and clouds in the background

The Indian River and Indian Lakes, found in Hamilton County, New York State, is a fantastic spot for kayakers with suitable experience to paddle unsupervised. This area of north central New York features 75+ miles of water suitable for kayaking on the Indian River. The river also provides the public with access to 15 natural lakes.

Kayakers may want to explore these lakes as a detour. Along with being slow-moving, the Indian River is known to feature some incredible wildlife. Travelers may spot animals on their journey, such as White-tailed Deer, Beavers, and even Bald Eagles.

Please be aware that not all the rivers nor all the lakes are accessible to the public (e.g., where the river runs along the Fort Drum Military Reservation for 25 miles, a permit must be acquired. However, this is available for free).

RELATED: Adventure Awaits: These Are The 10 Best Kayaking Destinations In Canada

4 The Kunjamuk River, Adirondack State Park

Kunjamuk River in Speculator, New York, USA
Shutterstock
Kunjamuk River in Speculator, New York, USA

Among the many stunning rivers that can be found in Adirondack State Park (located in upper New York State and which is one of many state parks in the area and among the best summer vacation spots in New York), Kunjamuk River is another one of the top places for kayaking in New York State - the fourth most populous state in the US.

The river is known for its gentle and slow-moving waters and its beautiful natural scenery. However, its popularity can contribute to the Kunjamuk River being a busy waterway, which may turn off some tourists.

Arguably, the easiest way to access the river is through the Speculator Village Park boat ramp. The river is suited to those with limited experience as well as long-time kayakers; however, as with any unsupervised kayaking, it's still important that visitors have some level of experience before heading out onto the water.

  • Location: Speculator, NY 12164, USA
  • Pricing: Free
  • Google Reviews: 5/5 from 3 reviews
  • Experience levels: Suitable experience to expert

3 Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes

Seneca Lake, New York, USA
Photo by Gerald Berliner on Unsplash
Seneca Lake, New York, USA

The Finger Lakes, just south of Rochester to the northwest and Syracuse to the northeast (which itself is a great area for setting out on hiking trails in Syracuse near Lake Ontario), is a great location for those seeking a thrilling outdoor experience in New York. Seneca Lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes (with there being eleven in total), featuring a surface area of just under 67 square miles, and is perfect for kayaking.

Among the best launch spots at the lake include the various rentals (e.g., Seneca Lake Resorts and Gorgeous Seneka Lakefront Vacation Rental) and the Old Barge Canal at Geneva at the northern edge of the lake.

Birds are plentiful in this region, such as swans and ducks. Also, Ospreys can often be seen nesting on the banks. Visitors may spot land animals, too, such as deer, foxes, and squirrels, at the edge of the lake or in the surrounding woodlands.

2 Manhattan Kayak Company, Pier 84 Boathouse, Hudson River Park, New York City

Wide and long view of Manhattan from the sky with central park, the New York City skyline, and Hudson river all in view
Photo by Jermaine Ee on Unsplash
Wide and long view of Manhattan from the sky with central park, the New York City skyline, and Hudson river all in view

Among the best locations to kayak in New York (and arguably the best in the Big Apple itself) is the Pier 84 Boathouse in Hudson River Park, where the Manhattan Kayak Company provides serene skyline kayak tours and private kayak tours in New York City.

The Manhattan Kayak Company even offers LED glow night kayaking (their unique selling point), allowing kayakers to experience NYC at night while paddling down the Hudson. These tours are available for those aged 12 and over.

Pricing is as follows:

  • Skyline Kayak Tour (90 minutes) - $65 per person
  • Night Kayak Tour (90 minutes) - $65 per person
  • Private Kayak Tour (90 minutes) - $50 to $95 per person (price varies depending on the number of people*)

Notably, the rate per person decreases the larger the party of people.

1 The Black River, Watertown

Fast flowing water of Black River, Watertown, New York with greenery surrounding the river 
Photo by Rja141, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fast flowing water of Black River, Watertown, New York with greenery surrounding the river 

Probably the best place to kayak in New York is the Black River in Watertown. This river is not for the fainthearted, and only highly experienced kayakers should kayak on these waters. This is because much of the river's waters can be unpredictable, making it a well-suited spot for whitewater kayakers seeking an adrenaline-rushing challenge. Kayakers should take any necessary precautions and be well-prepared.

The Black River consists of an upper 42.6-mile section, a 40-mile middle section, and a 31-mile lower section with a range of reservoirs, lakes, and dams found along the river's expanse. The Watertown region of the Black River in the lower section of the river is a superb location for very experienced kayakers. The upper and middle sections, however, tend to be a lot calmer.