New 965-acre state acquisition will enhance Oswegatchie River access for paddlers
By Phil Brown
It’s rather cold to think about paddling, but the state’s acquisition of 965 acres along the Oswegatchie River is good news for canoeists and kayakers.
The deal adds 2.3 miles of the Oswegatchie to the Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, including a put-in along Tooley Pond Road.
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I canoed this part of the Oswegatchie in the fall of 2023 for the next edition of my guidebook “Adirondack Paddling.” I was a bit disappointed that the put-in, then on conservation easement land, was open to the public only from April 1 to Oct. 15. Although I’ve never canoed in March, I have enjoyed paddling on sunny days in late October and early November.
Expanded access
With the state acquisition of this parcel, the put-in now will be open year-round. From Tooley Pond Road, it’s possible to paddle several miles to a takeout on River Road and bike back to your car. If you explore Chaumont Pond, which is connected to the river, you can get in about eight miles of paddling.
Related reading: NYS adds 965 acres near Cranberry Lake to Adirondack Forest Preserve
This Oswegatchie differs in character from the wild stretch, beloved by paddlers, that winds through the Five Ponds Wilderness. Most of it is still water backed up by a dam at Newton Falls. Paddlers will pass hunting camps and at times come close to the road. Nevertheless, it offers plenty of natural beauty and the chance to see wildlife. It also has easy access and egress.
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You don’t have to wait for my new guidebook to come out to read a detailed account of the charms of paddling this stretch of the Oswegatchie. Tom French wrote about it for the Adirondack Explorer in 2023.
Top photo: The Oswegatchie River seen from the put-in on Tooley Pond Road. Photo by Phil Brown
I think you have a broken link are Tom French article. But this is great news ! Love the Oswegatchie. My husband and I have stories !!
Thank you for letting us know! I just fixed the link to Tom French’s story, happy reading 🙂
(PS – we would love to hear some of your stories!)
As always, a great tribute to the beauty and resources of the ADK Park. Great article
Are outboards engines allowed on this section of river ? If so one could put their boat in at the Tooley Pond and motor down to the take out on the River road . Speaking of the take out on the River road, who owns that piece of property ? Town of Clifton? NYS ? Is it private?