Day Trips - Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway and Blueway Trail

We hope you enjoy the Day Trips put together for the Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail. Make sure to visit our Safety and FAQ pages to prepare for your trip.

A few of the Day Trips have lake crossings that create a loop paddle on the lake. The lake crossing trips are recommended for more skilled paddlers. We also recommend attempting these trips when powerboat traffic is low. Weekdays or in the early hours of weekend days there is lower powerboat traffic on the lake. Even for skilled paddlers, caution is advised for all the reasons described on our Safety page.

Scroll to South end trips

C-S Canal Lock 1 to John Harris Park

Distance: 5.5 Miles

Heading southwest, this trip follows the northwestern shoreline of Cayuga Lake from the mouth of the Seneca River at C-S Canal Lock 1, aka Mud Lock, along the extensive marshes and under the railroad bridge. The trip continues south for approximately 3/4 mile before crossing the lake to the east… Read more and view locations
C-S Canal Lock 1 to Cayuga Lake State Park

Distance: 8.2 Miles

This trip is an extension of C-S Canal Lock 1 to John Harris Park. Instead of crossing the lake across from John Harris Park, the trip continues south along the shoreline to Cayuga Lake State Park; where it then crosses the lake to the eastern shoreline. The trip then heads… Read more and view locations
John Harris Park to Cayuga Lake State Park

Distance: 5 Miles

Heading north, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake to the mouth of the Seneca River at C-S Canal Lock 1, aka Mud Lock; then heading west, the trip continues along the extensive marshes under the railroad causeway before, turning southwest following the western shoreline to Cayuga Lake… Read more and view locations
John Harris Park to Frontenac Park

Distance: 5.5 Miles

Heading south, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake to Frontenac Park. This trip connects two lakeside villages on the east shore of Cayuga Lake passing many cottages and lakefront homes along the gentle slopes of the northeast corner of the lake. Paddlers will pass Frontenac Island in… Read more and view locations
Cayuga Lake State Park to John Harris Park

Distance: 4.5 Miles

This trip creates a southern loop with two lake crossings to connect Cayuga Lake State Park to John Harris Park. This trip starts by crossing the lake to the east, then heading north along the eastern shoreline for approximately 2 miles to Harris Park. The trip continues with crossing the… Read more and view locations
Cayuga Lake State Park to C-S Canal Lock 1

Distance: 8.2 Miles

This trip is an extension of Cayuga Lake State Park to John Harris Park. Instead of crossing the lake at John Harris Park, the trip continues north along the shoreline to C-S Canal Lock 1 before heading back to Cayuga Lake State Park via the western shoreline. This trip continues… Read more and view locations
Frontenac Park to John Harris Park

Distance: 5.5 Miles

Heading north, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake to John Harris Park. This trip connects two lakeside villages on the east shore of Cayuga Lake passing many cottages and lakefront homes along the gentle slopes of the northeast corner of the lake. Paddlers will pass Frontenac Island in… Read more and view locations
Frontenac Park to Long Point State Park

Distance: 8 Miles

Heading south, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake past several points, coves, and creek outlets; and past the Village of Aurora to Long Point State Park. This trip follows the gently sloped east shore with historic cottage communities like Farley’s Point and Carr’s Cove, natural areas like… Read more and view locations
Long Point State Park to Deans Cove Loop

Distance: 10.5 Miles

This trip creates a northern loop with two lake crossings to connect Long Point State Park to Deans Cove. This trip starts by heading north along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake for approximately 2.75 miles, then crosses the lake to the west heading towards Deans Cove. The trip then… Read more and view locations
Long Point State Park to Sheldrake Park Loop

Distance: 11 Miles

This trip creates a southern loop with two lake crossings to connect Long Point State Park to Sheldrake Park. This trip starts by heading south along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake for approximately 3.5 miles, then crosses the lake to the west heading towards Sheldrake Park. The trip then… Read more and view locations
Dean's Cove to Long Point State Park

Distance: 10.5 Miles

This trip creates a northern loop with two lake crossings to connect Dean’s Cove State Boat Launch to Long Point State Park. This trip starts by crossing the lake to the east, then heading south along the eastern shoreline of Cayuga Lake for approximately 2.75 miles to Long Point State… Read more and view locations
Dean's Cove to Sheldrake Park

Distance: 7 Miles

This trip follows the western shoreline to Sheldrake Park. This trip heads south along the western shoreline of Cayuga Lake, past lakeshore cottage developments and natural wooded areas, and around Sheldrake Point to Sheldrake Park. Read more and view locations
Myers Park to Taughannock Falls State Park Loop

Distance: 7 Miles

This trip creates a northern loop with two lake crossings to connect Myers Park to Taughannock Falls State Park. This trip starts by heading north along the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake for approximately 2.5 miles, then crosses the lake to the west heading towards Taughannock Falls State Park. The… Read more and view locations
Myers Park to Stewart Park

Distance: 7 Miles

Heading south, this trip follows the eastern shoreline of Cayuga Lake, past East Shore Park, to Stewart Park in the City of Ithaca. This trip follows the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake past the Cargill Salt mines; a dramatic rock escarpment; the active Norfolk Southern Railroad line; and past lakeshore… Read more and view locations
East Shore Park to Stewart Park

Distance: 1.5 Miles

Heading southeast, this trip follows the east shore and southern shore of Cayuga Lake to Stewart Park. This is a relatively short trip in shallow water past lakeshore cottages and across the southern end of the lake. Paddlers need to watch out for buoys and sailboats from the Cornell Sailing… Read more and view locations
East Shore Park to Myers Park

Distance: 5.5 Miles

Heading northeast, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake to Myers Park. This trip follows the east shore of the lake; passes lakeshore cottages; the active Norfolk Southern Railroad line; a dramatic rock escarpment; and the Cargill Salt mines. Paddlers need to watch out for motor boats as… Read more and view locations
Stewart Park to East Shore Park

Distance: 1.5 Miles

Heading northeast, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake to East Shore Park. This is a relatively short trip in shallow water across the southern end of the lake past lakeshore cottages. Paddlers need to watch out for buoys and sailboats from the Cornell Sailing Center as they… Read more and view locations
Stewart Park to Myers Park

Distance: 7 Miles

Heading northeast, this trip follows the east shore of Cayuga Lake past East Shore Park to Myers Park. This trip follows the east shore of the lake from the City of Ithaca and passes lakeshore cottages; the active Norfolk Southern Railroad line; a dramatic rock escarpment; and the Cargill Salt… Read more and view locations
Cass Park to Cayuga Inlet Loop

Distance: 4 Miles

Heading south, this trip follows the Cayuga Inlet to Six Mile Creek, back to the Flood Control Channel, and back up the Cayuga Inlet to Cass Park. This trip follows the Cayuga Inlet past Inlet Island, left at the fork, to Six Mile Creek; then turns east up the creek… Read more and view locations
Cass Park to East Shore Park Loop

Distance: 4 Miles

Heading northwest, this trip starts in the Cayuga Inlet, follows the western shoreline, crosses to East Shore Park; then loops back to Cass Park. This trip follows the southwest shoreline of the lake from the lighthouse at the end of the Cayuga Inlet, heads west past the marshes of Hog’s… Read more and view locations
Taughannock Falls State Park to Myers Park

Distance: 4 Miles

This trip crosses the lake from the northern launch site at Taughannock Falls State Park, and follows the eastern shoreline to Myers Park. This trip starts at the northern launch site on the west side of Taughannock Creek, crosses the lake to the east, and heads south along the eastern… Read more and view locations
Taughannock Falls State Park to Cass Park

Distance: 8 Miles

Heading south, this trip follows the western shoreline of Cayuga Lake to Cass Park in the City of Ithaca. This trip follows the western shore of Cayuga Lake past historic lake cottages and cottage communities; the Girl Scouts’ Camp Comstock; the Ithaca Yacht Club; and the marshes of Hog’s Hole… Read more and view locations

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