Paddle, Pedal, and Trek Along Rochester’s Waterways

With landscaped parks, preserved wetlands, historic neighborhoods, and miles of trails, Rochester offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventures.

Hike

Follow the Genesee Riverway Trail through three of Rochester’s Olmsted-designed parks—Genesee Valley, Maplewood, and Seneca. Enjoy the view from Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the river near Route 104 Memorial Bridge. Heading north toward Lake Ontario, you’ll find Turning Point Park, where a 3,572-foot-long boardwalk guides you over the river.

Monroe County Parks, like Durand-Eastman, Mendon Ponds, and Webster Park, maintain miles of hiking trails with varying difficulty. You’ll also find memorable trails in town parks like Corbett’s Glen and Channing H. Philbrick Park. Explore Genesee Land Trust’s protected properties, like Island Cottage Woods Preserve and Brookdale Preserve, for a path less traveled.

Walk

Enjoy a stroll through Rochester’s historic districts and vibrant neighborhoods. Corn Hill boasts impressive examples of Rochester’s architecture and some of the city’s oldest homes, with excellent restaurants offering riverside outdoor seating. Follow cobblestone streets through the High Falls Historic District to learn about Rochester’s early industrial history.

Cycle

Ride for miles along the Genesee Riverway Trail, Genesee Valley Greenway, Erie Canalway Trail, and Lake Ontario State Multi-Use Trail. The Lehigh Valley Trail follows Honeoye Creek west from Rochester Junction in Mendon and crosses the Genesee River at Wadsworth Junction in Scottsville. 

For off-road and mountain biking, check out Whiting Road Nature Preserve near Lake Ontario in Webster and Irondequoit Bay Park West in Irondequoit.

Boat

Explore the northern section of the Genesee River and Lake Ontario from the Port of Rochester ramp or a car-top launch at Petten Street. Head upstream through Turning Point toward Lower Falls, then easily drift downstream. To explore the river south of High Falls, put in at the Black Creek ramp or Corn Hill Landing’s car-top launch.

Villages along the Erie Canal offer boat launches to access the calm water, making it ideal for beginners. Brockport and Fairport offer BoardSafe adaptive launches with a broad, gently sloped gangway, plenty of space for wheelchair maneuvering and parking, tiered benches, grab bars, and a chute that safely holds the kayak in place during transitions. Erie Canal Boat Company in Fairport rents traditional and adaptive watercraft. If you’re an adventurous paddler, visit Lock 32 Whitewater Park in Pittsford for thrilling class 2-3 spillway rapids.

BayCreek Paddling Center offers rentals and a shuttle service to Ellison Park. A four-hour downstream paddle on Irondequoit Creek through Lucien Moren Park leads back to the paddling center. Alternatively, put in a car-top watercraft at LaSalle’s Landing to paddle Irondequoit Bay and the creek’s wetlands.

Fish

Anglers will find world-class fishing in Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, Braddock Bay, Irondequoit Bay and Creek, Oatka Creek, Black Creek, Sandy Creek, and the Erie Canal. Depending on the waterway and season, you may catch salmon, trout, walleye, pike, perch, bass, and more. And check out the fish hatcheries in Powder Mills Park and Caledonia, the oldest hatchery in the Western Hemisphere.

Books

Where are your favorite places to hike, cycle, or paddle around Rochester?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.