[Updated March 23, 2023] In the past, whenever Watkins Glen came to mind, I associated it with one of my favorite hiking trails. That changed when I went kayaking on Seneca Lake and had an unforgettable experience. I also found a few other ways to spend time on the water in Watkins Glen.
So, while I still love to think about hiking that gorge trail on a hot summer day, past endless waterfalls spraying out freezing cold droplets, I’ve added to my daydreams the memory of paddling my kayak peacefully under a brilliant blue sky.
Watkins Glen is located in the Finger Lakes, at the southern end of Seneca Lake. It’s a popular destination for wine trail tourists, though the village is equally famous for hiking, as well as NASCAR races at Watkins Glen International Speedway.
The lakefront location also makes it a perfect spot for water sports like kayaking and swimming, and for scenic Seneca Lake boat tours, during which visitors can simply sit back and relax and enjoy the views.
Read on to learn more about our awesome kayaking tour, where to rent your own kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, how to take a sightseeing Seneca Lake boat tour, and more.
Kayaking on Seneca Lake
Specifically, Matt and I kayaked the marsh at Catherine Creek Marsh, one of Seneca Lake’s major tributaries located at the southern end of the lake. The marsh is part of Catherine Creek Wildlife Management Area, which is rich in local wildlife.
We booked our kayaking tour with Seneca Lake Kayak, a tour company that offers a variety of seasonal tours. We originally booked the Hector Falls Kayak Tour, which would have had us kayaking Seneca Lake’s eastern shore until reaching Hector Falls.
However, Seneca Lake Kayak’s owner, Paul, had warned us when we made our booking that since it was the middle of May, the lake temperature may not reach 50 degrees (F), the temperature legally required for his tour to take place on the lake.
That’s exactly what happened, so instead he took us to Catherine Creek Marsh. This change in destination did not pose any problem at all, thanks to Paul who kept us fully updated of the change, texting me the night before and then dropping a pin to let us know exactly where to meet him. And I can’t image a better kayaking experience than the one we ended up having on Catherine Creek Marsh.
We spent about 2.5 hours navigating our kayaks through tall marsh grass while spotting Great Blue Herons, black ducks, and geese nestled into it. We also marveled at bald eagles soaring over our heads, and tried to spot elusive carp in the clear water beneath us.
In the end, our tour with Seneca Lake Kayak was one of the best kayaking tours I’ve ever done. The mid-May day was sunny but cool and our group was small (seven of us altogether). Paul stopped us a few times to tell an anecdote about the area but for the most part, we all just peacefully paddled while the morning sun slowly heated up the day.
Regarding the technique of kayaking, Paul was helpful when I needed him to be (I got stuck in the marsh grass a couple of times) but not overly instructive. He mostly just let us paddle along to our own rhythm.
Tours last approximately 2.5 hours. They are designed for beginner and intermediate kayakers and all necessary equipment is provided. Tours are seasonal and typically run from late spring to early fall (May-October).
If you’re interested in kayaking in Watkins Glen, NY, I recommend booking a tour with Seneca Lake Kayak! Seneca Lake Kayak offers a variety of kayaking tours. Kayak rentals are also available if you want to go solo.
More Seneca Lake Kayak Rentals and Tours
Looking for more ways to enjoy the water? Check out the companies below for kayak and paddle board rentals and tours, plus fly-fishing lessons and more
- Reagan’s Canoe and Kayak Livery–Rents canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. The best perk is that they make it as easy-as-pie by delivering your watercraft to you so you don’t have to deal with transporting it. We did this during our stay at Plum Point Lodge in Himrod. After they were dropped off, we only had to slide our kayaks a few feet into the water before we were on our way. It was such an easy way to go kayaking on Seneca Lake on our own. 440 Hall Rd., Himrod. Ph: 607-243-9100
- Summit to Stream Adventures–Located in Seneca Harbor Marina in Watkins Glen. Offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, lessons, and guided Seneca Lake kayaking tours and Catherine Creek. Charter fishing and fly-fishing lessons and guided tours are also available. 2 Seneca Harbor, Watkins Glen. Ph: 607-535-2701
Seneca Lake Boat Tours
A one-hour Seneca Lake boat tour aboard the Seneca Legacy on one of Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises is the perfect introduction to lower Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen. On the narrated tour, passengers learn that the lake, which reaches depths of more than 600 feet, is the largest of the Finger Lakes by volume and the second largest by length.
The underground springs which feed the lake keep the water moving at all times, making it nearly impossible for it to freeze. The banks of Seneca Lake make for a perfect wine growing climate, leading to the region’s popular cool climate wines such as Riesling and Cabernet Franc.
Passengers also learn that those industrial-looking complexes on the lake shore are salt refineries, processing salt that is deep underground in these parts due to the evaporation of a sea hundreds of millions of years ago.
One of the most beautiful attractions on this Seneca Lake boat tour is Hector Falls, located on the east side of the lake. While the falls, which are 165 feet high, can be viewed when driving on NY 414, the best viewpoint is from the lake.
Another point of interest is Painted Rock which, according to researchers, was not painted by members of the Iroquois tribe in the 18th century like the lore once suggested. Rather, the symbols of the American flag, a teepee, and several Native Americans were painted in the early 1900s in order to attract tourists.
Painted Rock at least, while not authentic, does remind us that this region was once inhabited by the Seneca and Cayuga tribes until the Sullivan Campaign of the Revolutionary War led to the destruction of their villages and the murder of their people.
Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises offers a number of cruise types. In addition to the hour-long sightseeing cruise, lunch and dinner cruises are available on select days during the summer. There’s also a Blues Music Cruise and a Country Music Cruise.
If you’d rather enjoy the water from land, Seneca Harbor Station Restaurant offers lake views and and an Outdoor Beach Patio that features live music on summer weekends.
1 North Franklin Street
Watkins Glen, NY
607-535-6101
Cruises run May – October.
Where to go Swimming in Watkins Glen
If you’re interested in hitting the beaches on Seneca Lake, grab a towel and check out the following spots to go swimming in Watkins Glen.
- Clute Memorial Park & Camping–Spend a day swimming in Seneca Lake or relaxing under shady trees at this family recreation spot. Or make a camping reservation and spend a weekend or more. 155 S. Clute Park Drive, Watkins Glen. Ph: 607-535-4438
- Smith Memorial Park–Swim, picnic, and camp at this pleasant waterfront park located nine miles north of Watkins Glen. 5303 Park Avenue, Hector, NY. Ph: 607-546-4467
- Watkins Glen State Park–An Olympic-sized pool is located in the park for campers and day-visitors. 1009 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen. 607-535-4511
- Pets/Dogs are permitted in each park as long as they are kept on leashes.
If you’re heading north for any reason, Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva also has a swimming beach, picnic tables, grills, and more.
I love Watkins Glen in all seasons but, this being upstate New York, summer is the season for swimming. However, spring and fall may be the perfect time of year for a boat cruise or kayaking trip. Happy sailing (or kayaking!).
More Outdoor Adventures Near Watkins Glen
If you’ve done all the outdoor activities in Watkins Glen that you can think of and still crave more adventure, there’s plenty of exploring left to do in the Finger Lakes.
Ithaca is 25 miles to east and offers even more stunning gorge trails. A little further to the north of Ithaca is Trumansburg, where you can hike (or drive) to a breathtaking waterfall. Keep heading north on Cayuga Lake to Seneca Falls, where a wildlife preserve awaits, offering some of the best birdwatching around.
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