Long Lake to Axton Landing

This trip combines lake and river paddling in the heart of the New York State’s Adirondack Park. The trip starts at the state boat launch near the hamlet of Long Lake. From there, paddlers head north toward the Raquette River. Most paddlers choose to spend the first night on the lake, heading into the wild Raquette River on the second day. Long Lake can be choppy, especially at its northern end near the river. The Raquette River is a windy, slow-moving river. The biggest challenge on the river is navigating the 1 mile portage, which includes some hilly terrain. There are numerous campsites available on the lake and  Raquette River, including at Raquette Falls, where there is a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s interior caretaker’s cabin.