Erie Canal: Genesee Waterways Center
The Genesee Waterways Center is a great place to start, end or have a pitstop on the way through. Although technically not located on the Erie Canal, I consider it a de facto canal stop. It sits on the Genesee River where the Erie Canal and the Genesee River meet. It’s the perfect mid point if your doing a section paddle across Rochester (Greece to Fairport). The waterways center offers ideal floating docks, restrooms, water, picnic areas, and shady trees. The photosynth above shows the waterways center from the opposite side of the Genesee River. It’s something new I am trying. You can navigate the panorama by clicking on the boxes to expose a new angle. Below is where the Erie Canal and Genesee River meet with a panorama to the Genesee Waterway Center. Its really close. (sorry ive realized the photosynths do not work in rss readers)
GPS Location: 43.122851, -77.636561
Tags: Canoe, dock, Genesee River, Genesee Waterways Center, GPS, kayak, Kayaking, Launch Site, Maps, panorama, photosynth, picnic, restroom, Rochester
I’m not sure who you contact or how you organize it, but a few of us took a guided canoe-ish-thingy trip starting at the waterways center last year. Was kind of neat to have a guide as they showed us a small tributary that is paddle-able on the south side of the canal crossing.
That said, I don’t know that I’d use their boat thing again, I’d rather be in my own canoe or kayak. It was some sort of dug out catamaran canoe thing.
It was part of the Nature Nights we participated in last year. I haven’t heard about it yet this year, but I’m hoping they do the same thing again.
Cool. I’ve never rented anything from them, but it looks like they have a lot to choose from as far as kayaks/canoes go. I will have to find out about Nature Night. Sounds like a cool paddle. Stay tuned. I will be posting some more pictures and info in a part 2 for the Genesee Waterways Center.
That small tributary on the south side of the Canal that “Fairport Outside” mentioned above is called Red Creek. He’s right, there’s a fun loop paddle combining the Genesee River, Erie Canal and Red Creek. It’s route #7 in my guidebook “Take A Paddle – Western New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks.”
Thanks Sue.
I’ve decided to hold off on part 2 for now. I’d like to check out red creek.
Randy, I think you were in an outrigger canoe. Its kinda like a catamaran. Im guessing since it was at night they wanted those for more stability.
hah, guess i should stop doing that. Thanks Sue! I’m sure there’s a bunch of useful stuff in your guidebook, maybe I’ll pick up a copy.
Eric, If you want a partner to check out that red creek area with let me know!