Kayaking & Canoeing

Paddling on the Lower Schroon River

by John Miller

Beginning near the hamlet of Underwood, the Schroon River flows south from its source, Deadwater Pond. The Upper Schroon River flows for thirty miles through the eastern section of the Adirondack Park and into Schroon Lake. The Lower Schroon River flows out of the lake near Pottersville and continues twenty-six miles south to Thurman Station where it joins the Hudson River. The total length of the river is fifty-six miles, not including the eight-mile lake.

This picturesque river is one of the largest tributaries flowing from the east into the Hudson River. There are plenty of recreational opportunities for the touring and whitewater kayaker or canoer, with seven public access points on the Lower Schroon River. There is a choice of six campgrounds between Pottersville and Thurman Station for paddlers looking for camping along the river. The state stocks the river with more than ten thousand rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout, making this a popular destination for fishermen.

Even with its close vicinity to Interstate 87 and NY Route 9, you can still enjoy paddling through a diversity of scenery and wildlife. The paddler is bound to see farmland, summer cottages, deer, mink and forests of pine and hemlock along the shores of the river. There are also opportunities to paddle through wetlands where one can see a variety of wildlife including beaver, river otter and herons. Bring a pair of binoculars for a closer look at the bird population living around the river.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) river gauge located at Riverbank records the water levels in the river. The whitewater sections are navigable from 3.5 feet to 7 feet. The flatwater sections are navigable all season long, though faster at higher water levels. The USGS gauge can be found online at http://waterdatausgs.gov/ny/nwis/current?type=flow.

Flatwater Touring
Put In: Horicon Boat Launch, Pottersville
Take Out: Warren County River Access Site, Horicon
Length: 5 miles

The NYS Horicon Boat Launch is an excellent put in for kayak and canoe touring with access to both the lake and the river. Launch your canoe or kayak and paddle to the left. Continue under the bridge to start your adventure on the Lower Schroon River. Follow the main current to avoid ending up in a dead end channel as the river meanders through Jenks Swamp. For those paddlers that are interested in camping, you will pass by the Wakonda Family Campground about 1-mile downstream.

A low head dam blocks this section of the river five miles south of the lake. The Warren County River Access site is on river left just before the dam. This site has a small beach making river access easy. NY Route 8 is one-mile downstream and can be used as an optional take out.

Directions: For the take out, take Exit 25 off the Northway (I-87). Travel east on Route 8 and make a left onto Schroon River Road. Drive over the one lane bridge and you will see a Warren County River Access sign on your right. For the put in, from the take out make a left onto East Schroon River Road. Follow this road until you come to the Public Boat launch at the southern end of Schroon Lake.

Whitewater Class II-III
Put In: Route 8, Town of Horicon
Take Out: East Schroon River Road, Riverbank
Length: 7 miles

The first Class II rapid is immediately under the Route 8 Bridge. There is about a half of a mile of flatwater before the next set of rapids. Two miles from Route 8 is an optional take out or put in just past the Horicon Road Bridge in South Horicon. The most difficult Class III rapid is south of Horicon Road and one-mile upstream from the take out in Riverbank. The rapid can be scouted from river left. The take out is 1/4-mile downstream from the steel bridge.

Directions: For the take out, take Exit 24 off of the Northway (I-87) onto County Route 11. Continue east over the Schroon River Bridge. Make your first left onto East Schroon River Road toward Ridin’ Hy Ranch and Skye Farm. The take out is a 1/4-mile on the left. For the put in, continue north from the take out on the dirt road and make a left over the steel bridge. Make a right onto Schroon River Road heading north toward Route 8. Turn right onto Route 8, go over the bridge and make your first left. The put in is immediately on your left.

Flatwater Touring
Put In: East Schroon River Road, Riverbank
Take Out: County Home Bridge, Warrensburg
Length: 8 miles

This section of the river has a slow current all the way to Warrensburg with two short Class I rapids. You can either portage around the rapids or navigate them in your touring kayak or canoe. The river meanders through a wetland area as it approaches Warrensburg. The campgrounds along this section are: Lake George Schroon Valley Campground, Riverside Pines Campsites, and Adirondack Adventure Resorts. The take out is on river, left, just under the steel bridge. The town of Warrensburg is two miles past County Home Bridge with an informal take out along River Street on river left.

Directions: For the take out, take Exit 23 off of the Northway (I-87) and drive east. Turn left onto East Schroon River Road and continue about two miles until you see the Warren County Access site on your left just before County Home Bridge. For the put it, continue north on East Schroon River Road for eight miles. The road will turn to dirt and then back to pavement. Cross County Route 11 and continue for about 1/4-mile to the put in on your left.

Whitewater Class II-III
Put In: Ridge Street Bridge, Warrensburg
Take Out: Steel one lane bridge, Warrensburg
Length: Less than 1 mile

This is the shortest section of whitewater on the river but can have the best rapids when the water level is high. All the rapids can be scouted from River Road along the south bank. The first rapid is a 4 foot drop through an old dam that is followed by continuous rapids all the way to the take out. When the river splits, be conscious of strainers on river right. There is a nice surf wave on river left. The take out is on river right before the steel bridge.

Directions: For the put in, take Exit 23 off of the Northway (I-87) and drive west following Route 9 through Warrensburg. At the traffic light in town make a left onto Route 418 toward Stony Creek and Thurman. Continue over the bridge and make a left. The put in is immediately on the left. For the take out, follow River Street south along the river for less than a mile to the one lane bridge. Drive over the bridge and park on the right. Parking is limited so be courteous.

From calm water to Class III rapids the Schroon River caters to a wide range of paddlers. Choose a section of river and let your adventure begin. See you on the river.

John Miller is a certified kayak guide/instructor and an outdoor journalist. Check out his recent free publication, Saratoga Adventure Guide, available at outdoor shops in Saratoga Springs.

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