Paddle the Canal
Many people are unaware that the Old Erie Canal is open for paddling every day during the warm weather months. In 2023, the Town of Manlius installed the first ADA kayak launch on the Old Erie Canal, specifically at Poolsbrook trailhead in Kirkville, NY. In 2025, Chittenango Landing Museum installed a second ADA launch along the Old Erie Canal! Location information can be found below. Happy paddling!
Click here for a paddle guide map
Note: this Paddle Guide is meant to be printed on 11x17 front and back. If you want a waterproof, hardcopy of this guide they are available (free!) at several sites along the Old Erie Canal such as at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.
Launch Location Details (from west to east):
1. Cedar Bay, DeWitt
Follow Cedar Bay Road to the parking lot for Cedar Bay Park. Turn right into the parking lot. Follow the the short trail at the east end of the parking lot to the boat launch.
Cedar Bay Boat Launch
2. Manlius Center, Manlius
A large parking lot dedicated to Old Erie Canal State Park users is located at the convergence of Green Lakes Road, Manlius Center Road (Rt. 290), N. Manlius Street, and Minoa Road. The Boat launch is a series of stairs at the end of the path leading to the canal trail from the parking lot.
manlius center boat launch
3. Poolsbrook, Kirkville
From Route 5 turn north on to 290/Green Lakes Road. After about 1 mile take a right onto Kinderhook Road. After about 3/4 mile turn right onto Poolsbrook Road. After about 1/2 mile turn right onto Andrus Rd. Take the first left into the driveway for Pool's Brook Park. Follow signs for the canoe launch.
ADA Launch!
pool's brook boat launch (Photo: Town of Manlius)
4. Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, Chittenango
The launch is at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum located at 717 Lakeport Road Chittenango, NY
ADA Launch!
Chittenango landing canal boat museum boat launch
5. Rotary Launch, Chittenango
This launch is located in Chittenango near Community Recognition Park at the corner of Pottery Road and Legion Drive. The launch is a series of steps down to the water.
This launch is available at community recognition park about .4 miles east of the museum at the corner of pottery road and legion drive
View Photos and Videos from Boat Float 2017 Here:
