Welcome to the
Black River

Long thought of as an industrial river thanks to its turn-of-the-century heyday, New York State’s Black River has been redefined by paddlers, birdwatchers and anglers as an outdoor playground. Starting in its lower Adirondack Mountains headwaters at North Lake near Atwell, the Black River flows 125 miles northwest to the mighty Lake Ontario. From its origins, the wild river snakes through Forestport and Boonville into the lowlands, along the way becoming the place fly fishing anglers see in their dreams.

The Black River slows as it flows along the edge of the Tug Hill region – an outdoor paradise in itself! From Port Leyden to Carthage, it’s obvious why the river’s slow, steady currents attracted lumber companies and mills in the 1800’s. Today paddlers can still see the old dams and catwalks. More than a dozen waterfront communities still keep an eye on the Black, opening their doors to visitors and sharing stories of their secret playground.

From Carthage, the Black River heads west through mill communities and the city of Watertown, where whitewater is king and rafting companies offer the East Coast’s greatest paddling adventures. Watertown is also popular with whitewater kayakers, who flock to Northern New York’s urban hub to play on its natural waves. After the Black leaves Watertown, through communities with scores of public fishing access, boat launches, trails and observation areas, it spills into Black River Bay and Lake Ontario. With so much to offer, the Black River is experiencing another heyday, as a recreational paradise. Help rediscover New York’s newest outdoor playground!