Kayaking the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, New York
Upstate New York is extensively shaped by watershed giving endless opportunities for kayaking, boating, fishing and other water recreation. One river in particular, the Mohawk River, where it winds through the small city of Amsterdam, is becoming known for kayaking excursions.
The Mohawk River in Amsterdam, New York
The Mohawk River is the Hudson’s largest tributary at 140 miles long. It flows through the Mohawk Valley in upstate New York, north of the Catskills and south of the Adirondack. The river channel is intertwined with the Erie Canal, making it quite the unique river to paddle.
Amsterdam’s Mohawk River waterfront combines the best of both worlds with both nature and urban views. Kayakers of all skills can unwind over miles of navigable water that’s part of New York’s historic Erie Canal. Since the flow of water in areas is controlled by the locks, paddling the canal sometimes feels more like paddling a series of lakes.
There’s also plenty of opportunity for exploring nature as sections of the river contain islands, bays and marshes. Launching from the city, you’ll paddle past the urban scenery of Downtown Amsterdam, Riverlink Park and the pedestrian bridge, before continuing west out into the natural beauty of the Mohawk Valley.
Kayak More of New York’s Erie Canal
The Erie Canal opened in 1825. An engineering marvel, it was the gateway to the Wild West and a powerful economic engine, connecting New York City with the Great Lakes. Today it is still that, however, mostly from a tourist and recreational standpoint.
You can kayak more of New York’s Erie Canal, as well as Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals via the NYS Canalway Water Trail. The NYS Canalway Water Trail has over 450 miles of canals and interconnect lakes and rivers for kayakers and other paddlers to explore. Plan your trip through century-old locks, past stunning stone aqueducts and surprisingly serene and natural settings with diverse birds and wildlife, unique geology, and varying terrain at https://eriecanalway.org.
Storing Your Kayak
When you’ve finished exploring the Mohawk River in Amsterdam, NY, make sure you safely store your kayak with Log Kayak Rack. Log Kayak Rack provides a selection of heavy-duty kayak, canoe, and SUP storage racks that are handcrafted out of northern white cedar logs to keep your kayak safe from unnecessary wear and tear between outings. The durable frames are naturally weather-resistant and can store up to eight kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards each. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution that will meet your Amsterdam, New York kayak storage needs.