The Best Places for Boating in New York

Going boating in New York? Visit a big city like New York City or the waterfront of Buffalo. You can also make your way to a smaller NY town in the Hudson Valley or Adirondacks like Lake Placid. 

Boaters also enjoy visiting the Thousand Islands Seaway, Finger Lakes area, or “close-to-the-bustle” Long Island. NY state has something for everybody. So make some plans, or don’t plan anything and just go exploring. Whatever your style, just make sure you get on the water and get yourself into a “New York state of mind.”

Where you launch your boat and hit the water in New York state really depends on the region you plan on visiting. The state has more than 7,500 lakes, reservoirs, and ponds and over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams.

So to start, we thought we’d name just a few of our favorite lakes to go boating in New York!

Lake George is a popular attraction for water lovers due to its breathtaking natural beauty. The land of the Adirondack Park and the Lake George Village hold numerous exciting diversions. The great attraction of the area, though, is the lake itself. The lake is 32 miles long, with a surface area of roughly 28,000 acres.

Due to the sheer size of Lake George, boating is a popular pastime. However, the lake never feels too busy. There are numerous marinas, launch sites, and rentals along the shores of the lake. Water enthusiasts can enjoy water skiing, tubing, and other exhilarating activities.

The peaceful islands are a great place for relaxation. The wide and narrow shallows are great for paddlers. Personal watercraft such as water bikes and jet skis are available to rent.

Long Lake is a perfect setting for motor boating, canoeing, and kayaking. The Adirondacks remain the premier destination for the small boat vacation. Water sports enthusiasts enjoy waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and tubing on the 14-mile Long Lake.

For those seeking quiet exploration, paddle along the shorelines to see incredible views of the mountains. Revel in the sparkling blue water and admire the solitude of the lush green forest. The Long Lake beach is a great place to relax, soak up the sun, and an excellent launch for your next paddling journey. You’ll find a boat launch available at the end of Olivet/Dock Road.

The Finger Lakes are a group of eleven long, narrow lakes named by early map-makers of the region. Here is a bit of information about four of the lakes.

• Otisco Lake is perfect for tooling around in a pontoon or powered row boat — both available for rental at the Otisco Lake Marina in Marietta. There are various boat launches dotted about the lake as well.
• Owasco Lake is a big draw for people who enjoy being on the water. However, with a highly developed lakefront, public access is limited to the Emerson Park beach in Auburn. There are two boat launches at the beach and no other public launches on the lake.
• Skaneateles Lake is very popular for sailing and other recreational boating. However, due to environmental controls, there are few boat launches. There are also two small docks for approach by water, which are used as fishing spots.
• As one of the deepest of the Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake is an exceptional spot for sailing and other recreational boating in New York. Marinas in Waterloo and just south of Geneva offer boat rentals, campgrounds, and marine supplies.

The Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva features public boat launches, a marina, a picnic area, and a swimming beach.

Boating is an excellent way to experience Lake Placid. Many spots along the shore are only available by boat, and there are no roads leading in. Lake Placid is considered one of the cleanest freshwater lakes in the world, with fresh spring water and mountain streams feeding into it. One mountain source is Whiteface Mountain, where visitors can experience breathtaking views.

The lake includes three islands — Buck Island, Moose Island, and Hawk Island — each with its own history and contributing to its allure.

Visitors can enjoy waterskiing (even using the slalom course beside the main island), wakeboarding and tubing, cliff diving, camping, hiking, and tour boating.

For paddlers, did you know you can access Lake Placid from the village via Mirror Lake? A walking path between the lakes can be used to portage.

Everywhere you look in NY, there’s a New York State Park sign and an opportunity to break away from the busy flow of the every day to enjoy the great outdoors. There are over 215 state and national parks to choose from!

So which park should you choose? Any of the 20 state parks located on Long Island or the very popular Niagara Falls state parks region will all boast endless activities for visitors. You can also find quiet parks that offer trails and boat launch ramps for those who prefer the sound of the wind in the pines. 

Adirondack Park is a protected area covering six million acres in northern New York and over 3,000 lakes. You’re sure to find a quiet spot to launch your boat in there.

Planning on freshwater fishing in NY state? Here you can catch bass, trout, salmon, northern pike, muskies, and walleye.

New York is also famous destination for anglers for a number of reasons. It has four of the 50 best “Bassmaster” lakes and streams. The lakes in the Catskils and Adirondacks regions offer anglers some of the  best fly fishing on the east coast. During the winter months, the ice fishing is pretty good too.

Saltwater fishing? Along the coastal shorelines you can reel in fluke, striped bass and bluefish.

Before you go, make sure you have your fishing license and that you know the fishing regulations for New York state. There are 165 fish species here. Learn up!

Get Your License Before Boating in New York

After reading this, are you excited about boating in New York? We hope so! Just make sure you have your New York boating education card and license before you hit the water. 

BOATsmart! makes it easy to get your card. Our online, engaging, and informative boating education course teaches you everything you need to know about staying safe on the water. Get started here, and you’ll be on the water before you know it! 

Originally published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed for accuracy and relevancy September 5, 2024.