Erie Canal Forum

We’re planning a trip on the Erie Canal bike path between Camillus and East Syracuse and would like to avoid any on-road sections. Does anyone know where those spots are? Thanks.

Try the interactive map: click on syracus and zoom out.

Didn't look like there sere anything else other than roads... probably mostly empty rural roads.

Looks like there may be off-road trails. Check the map.

From Erie Canal Park and eastward, it looks like the path may be almost entirely along a dedicated path and not on roads. Zoom in.

Hi! Does anyone have information as to when the work in the Gasport area will be completed? Early May or Late May? Thanks for your assistance!

I recently rented a gravel bike from towpath cycles and rode the canal trails to Savannah. it was really fantastic.
here are some highlights:

1) BIKE RENTAL: The Trek Checkpoint ALR 4 Gravel bikes that Towpath cycle rents are the perfect machine for the erie canal trails. John at Towpath set me up with a great bike and I really enjoyed riding it. The wheels were perfect for the gravel trails and even did pretty good on some muddy parts after a heavy rainstorm. The bike was great on the trails, terrific on the road sections, and even did good on some single track along the route.

2) Pittsford Dairy has the best ice cream

3) My favorite sections of trail were between Fairport and Newark and especially the area between Macedon and Newark. The section from Lyons to Clyde is really great too. There is a really good section after Clyde but unfortunately the trail ends and goes onto route 31 until Savannah.

4) The section between Newark and Lyons is on old route 31 except for a couple of trail sections. Those sections are really great trail and I wish that they would have put in more to connect those sections by trail.

5) There is a sketchy property and person just after Lock Berlin between Lyons and Clyde. He wasn't there when I went by but all his signs, and garbage, and motion activated sirens were there. I know the backstory and unfortunately, this type of person is somewhat typical of central new york and part of the reason I left the area. I was told that more sections of trail between Lyons and Newark were not connected because of other people that didn't want "people who aren't from around here coming near my property." I don't think there is danger here at this property, but it is sad to see and exeprience.

6) There is an old rail bed that I hope Clyde and Savannah will convert to the trail. The trail follows some of the railbed but then has to go back to Rt 31. Hopefully they are working on it...

7) Trail surfaces are great throughout. there is a lot of variety between gravel, asphalt, dirt. I only hit a few muddy sections after heavy rain the night before.

8) the wetlands along the way were amazing and I spent a lot of time birdwatching and turtle watching. I was there in early April and there were no bugs yet.

This was a great intro to the trail for me and I will come back for more

"You are welcome to pitch your tent behind the firehouse. You may use their shower and restroom free of charge."

Is this true? The showers and restroom are available at the firehouse? If so, wow, thank you Lyons Fire Dept!

Don't count on anything from the Lyons fire department. They are pretty lazy and can't be bothered for anyone else. It is a good,ole boys club that is living good old days dreams

Disappoining unnecessarily disparaging comment from Andrew from Lyons.

I know these guys to be heros.

The comment comes from experience. Especially experience of the fire department here not helping people who are travelling on the canal. The question was if using their showers and bathroom is available.... The experience has been no, it isn't so don't count on them. Further experiences are for another discussion forum.
In terms of heroes, are you talking about firefighters in general as heroes or the Lyons Fire Department as heroes?

Safe Parking near the Erie Canal Bike Trail in Buffalo, NY?

Starting June 23rd we are planning on riding the Erie Canal Trail from Buffalo to Albany. Where is a safe place to park 2 vehicles from Sunday June 23rd to Saturday June 29th in Buffalo near the trail?

Please Advise. Thank You

I am looking for parking also. Any luck in finding a spot?

We offer Hiker/Biker Rates for those biking through!
Inquire ahead of time via stay@hostelbuffalo.com

is there a trail or towpath way to ride from Buffalo to Niagara Falls

Any decent place to stay around Canajoharie this summer?

Looking to ride from Albany to Buffalo this summer on the path.

1 How much of it is paved, and not paved?

2 Are there parts of it that require riding on the road?

Thank you.
Dave

1 How much of it is paved, and not paved?
A: Much of it. However, it is very smooth and not rutted. I rode on it safely and comfortably with tires that were smooth road tires.

2 Are there parts of it that require riding on the road?
A: Go the the map. Click on a town name or section. Zoom in to see if that segment is on a road. Most of the path is not on a road, particularly in rural and sub-suburban areas. Then, go to another segment and have a look-see.


My advice: Just get on the path and ride and stop worrying. Whatever your bike is, it is good enough. Any bike, any bike tire will suffice. Maybe a good idea to have a kit to fix a flat, and know how to use it. However, highly unlikely that you will use it. Don't think that you need especially anything other than to just get going. The main requirement is to just get going.

Thanks for the trail description. Does the trail get rutted when it has rained? Is it rocky or have large stones or rocks? Were there any alternate roads to take to avoid rough or single track sections (maybe if it rains!)?

you asked, "Are there parts of it that require riding on the road?"

Go to the main web page, click on interactive map, and study how close the tow path is to a highway. If, while on your journey, you feel you need to be on a road, that study will show you how close you are.

I have not traveled the entire tow path.

Much of the "tow path" from Buffalo to Lockport is either on a paved path, or road. CHeck out the interactive map.

From Lockport it is "tow path" ... and not "path. "Path" seems to imply that it is a rough, narrow thoroughfare. This is not the case. While it is not paved between Lockport and Gasport (for example) the towpath is flat, not rutted, and hard packed dirt.

Ruts? No. Occasion shallow tire marks: Yes.

Yes, there could be some puddles when it rains, but you'll probably be drenched by the rain anyway. What shallow puddles you encounter will be in line with the soaking you'll get from the rain itself.


I'd advise this: just get on the tow path and encounter it as you would a new best friend. It will welcome you and open up to you, and wbe an experience of a life time.

There is always a little rain in every friendship.

We will be riding in August from Newark. NY to Buffalo. Recommendations of a place to stay near the trail. Thanks.

My wife and I are planning to cycle the canal in June or July. We are taking the Amtrak from Buffalo to Albany but not sure what station is closest to the trail. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Schenectady Train Station is closest to the Empire State Trail. The other amtrak station is in Rensselaer.

taking the train to Rensselaer is right near the Mohawk Hudson trail that will connect you to the Erie. Cross the Hudson River on the Dunn Memorial bridge and that will bring you directly to the Mohawk Hudson

I am interested in renting 2 touring bikes for Erie Canal trail.
What are your prices to rent. Plan to bike trails August 15,2024

Jill, this is just a forum for the Erie Canal. You’ll need to contact the actual business for prices and reservations.

We're going to be riding the EST from Buffalo to ALB in June. Planning to do about 60 miles per day. Any lodging recommendations for Albion and Palmyra or somewhere close?

Thanks!

Still no solid answer. This is one of the BEST bike trails around, Buffalo to Albany on the ERIE CANAL.

Can a bike be taken off at Exchange St downtown Buffalo? Roll off or Boxed?

YEARS NOW AMTRAK DOSNT CLEARLY SAY. Our bikes wound up in Depew couple years ago, fiasco to get them both price and time.

Check our #281 Empire SErvice from Albany to Buffalo. I called and you can bring on your bike for $20. Make bike reservations when you book your seat. May need to remove your front wheel.

Planning a trip to bike to Rochester in April. Is the Marina open for camping in April (probably around 9th thru 11th eta)?

looking for camping along trail from BUffalo to palmyra for about 7 of us fools.
is water avail throughout the trail
if we become true weenies any Airbnb's, motels, B&B's along way?
thanks!!

Last September I biked on the Erie Canal Trail with my husband providing support. We stayed at the Lockport Inn and Suites. I'm not sure about biking there from the trail. My husband picked me up and we were able to drive there. We really loved it. It's like a time capsule. A couple who are a bit up in years, have run it for many years. Their adult children help. Go to the website and you can see the photos of the rooms. We had a jacuzzi, the room was high end 70s, "Hollywood Regency." We got to visit with the owner. He has an incredible (actually he may have more than one) convertible cadillac from the 50s, he let us sit in it and take our picture. Then my husband got to drive around the grouds with him in his golf cart, pick apples from an apple tree, it was an absolute joy! So bottom line, if you want an experience like none other, and you can get there from the trail, stay at the Lockport Inn and Suites.

Good information. It looks like the Inn is 1.6 miles south of the Lockport locks which is on the canal trail and 11 minutes via bicycle per google maps. BTW, the original flight of 5 locks has been preserved along side the current locks and should be a place to take in while in the area.

I believe there is camping at Macedon Canal Park.

Is there any place to camp in Pittsford. It does not show on the trip planner. The locations they show are quite expensive.

Does anyone know how to contact Little Moose lodge? Is there a phone number or email.

Looking for good place to stay on our first day going east

Same question -- is there a inn-to-inn luggage transporting service?
Thank you

Click on the 'towns and services" tab of the web site.

If such a thing exists,it may be listed there.

My dog and I are planning to do a portion of the Erie Canal this summer. We only have a week and about 60 miles a day is our limit with her in a trailer. We plan to start on the western end (closer to home) ride east and then ride back to our vehicle

One way of figuring this out in a way that would provided the most info to you and be specifically tailored for yourself is by clicking on the "Trip Planner" button. Since your dog will accompany you, if he/she is trotting along beside you you might consider looking for veterinarian services along the route. If the web site doesn't have that, try a duckduckgo search for the villages you'll pass thru.

From there you can pick any starting point, and see what services are along the 60 miles you will travel from your starting point.

Also, something to think about is whether you mean 60 miles out and 60 miles back or 60 miles round trip.

Just as a tip (perhaps incorrect, but remember what you paid for it!) I've read and seen that the most interesting locks are toward western part of the canal at Lockport. I've enjoyed that part. Beautiful sweeping scenes of farmland, open sky, little danger for a dog, and nice villiages along the way that have essential services. However, I'd be very cautious with a dog going thru Rochester (where there are interesting locks). Maybe you could start west of Rochester and go west, or start in Lockport and go to the western part of Rochester.

Check out the "Towns and Services" menu at the top of the page, and make up your own mind.

Thanks for the info. I pull the dog in a trailer but I still try to avoid roads. I'll probably limit the trip to Pendleon-Clyde. Maybe add Herkimer to Albany if things go well. That way there arent very many sections on the road and those seem short,

Were I traveling from Ohio, and going to tow a dog, I'd start in Lockport, NY and go East. It is very rural and safe. I think that most of the towpath through Rochester is on a way that is separate from roadways.

The canal thru Rochester is supposed to be interesting, as it "crosses" a north-south river. Seeing how the west-east canal crosses that river is supposed to be something to behold... and engineering feat for its time.

I spent alot of time on the towpath toward Albany in my early days... mostly watching the boats go thru the locks. I think that riding on the "path" thru Albany will be your most hazardous stretch.

Thanks for the feedback. Its been very helpful

Since you are coming up from Ohio, it is worth while to know that the "topath" actually starts in downtown Buffalo.

I don't have anything against Buffalo, but sometimes the path in urban areas adjoins a busy highway. What a rotten place to ride with all those guys speeding by, leaving you in their exhaust, but alive at least.

If you start at Lockport, you'll see a set of locks there that is worth while seeing. From there the path eastward is pretty darned safe. Of course, watch out in Rochester, and think about skipping Syracuse somehow.

Forget bout your 200 mile goal and just have a goal to bike a beautiful stretch of the historic towpath is safety. I'm a geezer and would head back before reaching syracuse.

The tiny "villages" along with way are worthwhile stopping... to get a pizza and a beer.... because they are teeny and that is the most you can expect. HOwever, I found that pizza and beer was perfect and enough... if it was available.

As you bike, try to imagine what those villages must have looked like when the canal was in operation and served activity along the way.

Most important: take no risks that could endanger your dog. Your dog is your best friend and will keep you safe along the way.

I would like to know from folks who have ridden the Erie Canal bike path on a class 2 ebike. Any information would be great. Thanks, joe c

My wife and I road it on Class 1 ebikes. It is a dream.... no hills, flat surface, often dirt packed from mules at one time, and now bikes and runners' feet.

Look for little (tiny) villages along the canal at a bridge crossing. These probably served a purpose for the barges at one time.

Now there you may find a pizza joint and a bar that service local thirst and hunger.

Look on this discussion's web site under "Towns and Services."

While you are on the tow path, have a look around you: you'll seen the most gloriously beautiful and peaceful farm settings you've ever laid eyes on!

I think it unlawful to camp on property that is owned and maintained by the Canal Authority. However, some of the property is private farmland... and you may be able to camp there... with permission. Some farms had set out tents just for the bikers to have an overnight.

Planning to do the bike trail on my class 2 ebike this summer.This will be my first time. Any advice,tips and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Joe C

Stop and see the canal overflow falls in Holley NY. I go to the top of the falls and scramble down the hill a little bit to get to the falls.

Exploring doing the Erie Canal Trial next summer on my E bike. Would like to read other people's experience doing this. I can get 90+ miles on a full charge but would rather not run it down that far. My charge to mile ratio is about 1 hour of charge to 20 miles of battery. Like to hear from experienced E Bikers on this particular trail.

Towns around me seem to be no more than 15 miles apart. The trail is mostly flat and hard packed when not paved.

NY State has a web site that shows where all EV charging stations are. You may find charging services for a bike there.

This web site has an excellent "Towns and Services" tab that shows services at many, if not all, towns and villages along the way.

That may be a good starting point for finding services for charging your bike.

There may be many services that may be willing to charge your bike in exchange for a few dollars. My experience is that if you are freindly and non-threatening, and make a friendly offer of a few dollars, they'll take your request seriously, or tell you where you might get your request fulfilled nearby. If you want something for nothing, it'll be more difficult.

Try that "Towns and Services" tab of this web site.

Is the trail open at the Aquaduct west of Palmyra? There was a detour the las time we were out there. but it has also been a while

Still a detour

The detour was still there in October 2023

The map shows a detour in Buffalo, due to reconstruction of the trail. When is the work expected to be finished? Will the detour be in place in June 2024?

We started our multi-day Erie Canal bike ride in Utica. Thought we would have an easy time finding trail head (and were told so by people in the city) but did not. Trail runs west but on East side there’s a chain link fenced gate across w 3 padlocks. No signage. We turned around and went all the way back to road, and on-road till Frankfort.

Has anyone else had this experience? Not sure how long that gate has been there? Super poor signage. Just don’t waste your time looking for the trail like we did. Just go on road to Frankfort and then you can pick it up and easy from there till Albany.

What's the best route from Clyde to Camillus?

Can you camp here overnight?

Rode on the canal bike path a couple weeks ago, had a great time, but could not find souvenir stickers for my bike! Any ideas?

I went to this location for a medical issue. I arrived at 7:40pm and as I was coming to the door they locked me out and would not let me in for a doctor to look at my arm. Why does the hours of business say 9am -8 pm if they don’t let you in 20 minutes before closing. That’s just wrong and they should stay open until 8pm. They need caring people in there that work till closing.

My husband found a wallet with the drivers license and credit cards in it at the intersection of the Erie Canal Trail and the Smith St Bridge in Brockport, NY today. He turned it into the police department. If you lost your wallet, try calling the Brockport PD.

I've been planning a 4 day trip for months. Took
a lot of work to get the logistics right. Now
three days before we are scheduled to leave Amtrak
cancels our bike reservations. Ugh! We regrouped
by booking a campsite at Green Lake State Park.
Will do a couple of days bikes instead. Not
quite the same.

Sorry to hear that. Happened to us as well. We won't ever make plans to take bikes on Amtrak again, unless we are fully retired and plan to camp every night.

Did Amtrak give a reason for canceling your bike reservations?

My inclination would have been to fight it.

One think you can do is to track ... and get credible documentation of... the expenses that you incur by Amtrack canceling your reservations. Be fair, Do not exaggerated.

After your return, present your documents to Amtrak and request compensation for the damages you incurred.

If you have an attorey... or better yet... an attorney service that you pay for annually for, let them pursue Amtrak until you and Amtrack reach a settlement. They definately will not want to go to small claims court with you, and will either settle before the court date to avoid going to court (it will cost them alot of $ to do that), or they will not show up at court and the judge may award your damages, or reschedule for another court date... and award damages then.

Be polite and business-like, and you may get satisfaction.

Did you have a reservation specifically for your bikes???

My (limited) understanding is that this is essential.

Many thx to the pink tail marksman. I would still be out there if eastbound trail hadnt been marked by him. Again Thank u

My husband and I came in here on Friday for breakfast around 10am. We ordered two coffees and asked if they had flavored creamers. They said they did, but it would cost extra. The coffee arrived and it tasted watered down. It was as if they again were trying to make extra money with subpar product. The food came and it was good. I really can't complain about that.

The problem that we had with West Wayne restaurant was that we left the waitress a tip, and she added an extra digit to it. Obviously we didn't know until the next day. I felt very violated!! We called them and the waitress admitted that she stole from us! She said to call back at 9am to speak to the owner. We called back and he said that we could come back and get the money that was stolen off my debit card, but we don't live out that way and happened to be passing through.

Report it to your credit card company. They will take it off your bill.

Sorry to have to post this

Barb and Bob are lovely people, but they should no longer be in the business of hosting people in their home. Website, property description, and more are not accurately depicted. The home is filled with clutter, there are no common areas in which to sit, breakfast is presented outside on the porch because there is nowhere to sit inside the home. The home and the rooms have seen a better day.

Would this be a good place to park for a three-day bike trip?

I believe it’s an Erie County park so call their parks dept and also the Town of Tonawanda police dept., tell them your plans and if it’s ok to leave your car overnight and is there something to put in your car dashboard to avoid towing. If they refuse to let you park at Isle View, ask them if they could suggest somewhere you can park. You never know if someone might let you stay at a personal residence, school, church, etc. You never know what they will suggest. Good luck!

John

How is this motel?

Can we please .aintain the port a John on lock 8. It is overflowing with fieces and absolutely disgusting.

I'm doing a multi-day cycling trip on the Erie Canal Trail. Is it permissible to park overnight at this location?

I'm doing a multi-day cycling trip on the Erie Canal Trail. Is it permissible to park overnight at this location?