A new paddling challenge is here!

Are you ready to embark on a remarkable paddling experience across the pristine waters of Saranac Lake? Are you eager to delve into the captivating history of Saranac Lake while exploring its diverse paddling areas? Is your patch collection in need of a new friend? Then we have the paddling challenge for you! Introducing the Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge, where you can set off on a unique journey through Saranac Lake's rivers and waterbodies, immersing yourself in stunning Adirondack views. This challenge is designed to inspire paddlers of all levels, encouraging them to cherish our waterways and become mindful stewards of the environment.

There are five paddles that make up this decidedly different trip:

Upon completing the paddling challenge, participants will receive a well-deserved patch. For those adventurers who complete all five paddles within two days, an exclusive Ultra Patch awaits. But this challenge is not about competition; it's about cherishing our waterways and being mindful stewards of the environment. That's why participants have been afforded two days to complete the Ultra Challenge, allowing them to savor the tranquility of nature and leave a positive impact on the places we explore.

Register online today!

Planning and Safety

If you’re new to the region or paddling in general, read up on how to prepare for your next trip. The conditions here can change frequently throughout the day, so being equipped to overcome any obstacles ensures a safe and memorable paddling experience. Don't hesitate to bail out if needed—weather changes and challenges can arise, and there are bailout options available to ensure your safety.

Parking

Please plan ahead as parking at many of these paddles is limited. Whenever possible, unload your gear, then move your car to an alternate location. Only use designated parking spots or you will be ticketed.

Love Your ADK

Here in the Adirondacks, we cherish our natural playground and strive to protect its delicate ecosystems for generations to come. The Upper Saranac Foundation, with support from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, is putting effort towards managing and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Follensby Clear Pond area. We can all take part in this collective effort by adopting the clean, drain, dry method whenever you transport your boats between different bodies of water.

We invite you to take the pledge to Love Your ADK, ensuring the continuous care and preservation of this remarkable region. By respecting and nurturing our beloved Adirondacks, we ensure that future paddlers can continue to explore its wonders year after year. We ask that you practice good stewardship while on your challenge, being especially mindful to clean, drain, dry between different bodies of water. 

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Register for the Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge

After completing your five paddles, it's time to register and officially record your achievement. Registering is easy! You can either do it online or in person.

Registering in person:

If you can't wait to show off your decidedly different patch, visit the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center located at 39 Main Street in the Harrietstown Town Hall building. Fill out the registration form, pay the $5 registration fee, and receive your patch on the spot.

In-person registration hours:

  • Monday to Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Registering by mail:

Prefer to register by mail? No problem! Simply download and print the Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge registration form, complete it, and send it along with your $5 registration fee (checks payable to Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce) to the following address:

Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 39 Main Street, Suite 2, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

Join us for the Saranac Lake Paddling Challenge and unlock the thrill of conquering our pristine waterways. Register and prepare for an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories and a one-of-a-kind patch to showcase your accomplishment.

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Leave No Trace 7 Principles

The Adirondack Park provides a haven of pristine wilderness in New York state’s northernmost reaches. It also offers an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities for explorers of all ages and experience levels! While you enjoy your visit, please keep the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace in mind. Set forth by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, and championed by many partners within the Adirondack Park, these principles will not only improve your own nature experience, but they help preserve this unparalleled natural wonder for generations to come.

1
Know before you go
 
 
Plan ahead and prepare by checking weather reports and wind conditions. Use maps to plan where you’re going and inform someone of your paddling plans, including your expected return time and route.
2
Safety First
 
 
Ensure you have packed all paddling essentials, including a personal flotation device (PFD), appropriate clothing, navigation and first-aid equipment.
3
Clean, Drain, Dry
 
 
Wash/decontaminate watercraft to prevent the spread of non-native aquatic invasive species by practicing clean, drain, dry.
4
Pack It In, Pack It Out
 
 
Put litter—even crumbs, peels and cores—in garbage bags and carry it home. Use bathrooms or outhouses when available. If they're not available, bury human waste in a small hole 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet or 70 big steps from water and the trail.
5
Keep Wildlife Wild
 
 
Description: Observe wildlife from a distance and never approach, feed, or follow them. Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and feeding them starts bad habits. Protect wildlife and your food by securely storing your meals and trash.
6
Leave It As You Find It
 
 
Leave plants, rocks, and historical items as you find them so others can enjoy them. Treat living plants with respect.
7
Be Considerate
 
 
Be considerate of other paddlers and boaters by sticking to shorelines and avoiding channels, paddling in single-file lines, not blocking carries, and keeping voices quiet.