I am in the process of updating this page. I need help completing it and keeping it updated. I only stopped at, and therefore only have first-hand knowledge of, some of the tie-ups. Throw in my incomplete notes, my faulty and fading memory, new construction on the canal, and the inevitability of change, and there is no doubt the information on this page will be incorrect and incomplete to some degree. Therefore, if you notice any inaccuracies or are able to provide any missing/additional information or comments that would be helpful to boaters, please email me. Eventually, I intend to add a photograph of each tie-up so if you have any good shoreward looking photos I would appreciate them as well.
This page last updated August 10, 2004.
INDEX OF PUBLIC TIE-UPS AND MARINAS (in order from east to west)
Although boaters can stay at most of these tie-ups for free, I encourage you to make a donation to help defer the operation and maintenance costs. In addition to the following, boaters can tie-up for the night at the approach walls of many of the locks. There is no charge and usually no facilities. It is advisable to check with the lockmaster to make sure you will not be in the way of traffic.
Waterford State Canal Park -- N bank 3/4 mile west of Lock 6, free (no facilities?)(need photo)
Riverlink Park, Amsterdam Guy Park, Amsterdam(need shoreward looking photo)
Fonda/Fultonville -- N bank, free (no facilties)(need photo)
Palatine Bridge/Conajoharie St. Johnsville Municipal Marina (need info)(need photo)
Little Falls(could use better photo)
Herkimer (need photo)
Ilion Marina Frankfort (need info and photo)
Utica Historical Marina (need info)
Rome Sylvan Beach (could use better photo)
Brewerton (need info and photo)
Three Rivers Point -- S bank, free (no facilities?)(need photo)
Baldwinsville (need shoreward looking photo)
Highway 34 Bridge near Weedsport -- S side, free, no facilities
Lyons(need additional info and photo)
Newark Palmyra (need additional info and photo)
Fairport (need info and photo)
Pittsford -- S bank, free (no facilities?)(need photo)
Spencerport Brockport (need photo)
Holley Hulberton Bridge (need photo)
Albion (need photo)
Knowlesville Bridge -- (bank?) just W of bridge, free, no facilities (need photo)
Medina(need additional info and photo)
Middleport (need photo)
Municipal Marina, Lockport (could use better photo)
Lock 35, Lockport North Tonawanda (need info)
Tonawanda (need additional info)
WATERFORD
Location
N bank just E of Lock 2
Cost
2 days free dockage; $10/day after
Electricity
Free 30 and 50 amp service
Water
Dockside spigots
Restrooms/Showers
Both, key deposit required
Other facilities
Coin-op pumpout ($1). Visitor center. Book exchange
Canal museum on upper level of visitor center. Canal Fest in May. Tugboat roundup in August/September. Walk north on the path and visit Lock 2. Cross the canal at Lock 2 and walk the trail along the original Champlain Canal.
Comments
New facility with friendly, helpful, and informative volunteer staff. One of the nicest tie-ups on the canal. Photo courtesy of Terry Graham.
Very nice tie-up which officially opened in 2001. It's at the old waterfront district and therefore kind of isolated. Currently very few businesses are within walking distance but a major effort is being made to change that (e.g., mall built across railroad track and connected to tie-up by raised walkway). One of the nicer tie-ups on the canal, but at $1/ft, also one of the most expensive. Photo courtesy of Terry Graham.
You tie up to a concrete seawall at a nice park. Not as fancy as the Riverlink Park tie-up but many boaters prefer Guy Park because the location is more central and communal.
The rock wall next to Lock 17 is a popular spot for climbers (city issued permit required to climb). Explore the potholes (rock formations formed by whirlpools caused by melting ice at the end of the ice age) and the ice cave E of Lock 17. Kayak rentals at visitors's center. General Herkimer home, a state historical site. Canal festival in August.
Comments
The tie-up is located on the west end of and across the canal from the town. Recently improved and upgraded. It's worth the 3/4 mile walk to the town center. Colorful, varied storefronts line both sides of main street. Several unique old buildings hang on the bank overlooking the Mohawk River rapids. A good selection of restaurants (including a McDonald's) and other businesses including a chain motel, supermarket, and laundromat. A neat mixture of the old and new. There is a tie-up (daytime only) at the foot of Ann St. which provides convenient access to Ann St. businesses. Photo courtesy of Terry Graham.
The Fort Stanwix National Monument is located about one mile away; walk north on Mill St. then west on Dominick. The Erie Canal Village is located about four miles away at the west end of town.
Comments
The tie-up is located at a nice park on the outskirts of town in a primarily commercial/industrial district. There is a deteriorating piling and timber wall set off a foot or so from the concrete seawall. This makes it somewhat awkward to get to shore. Although most boaters seem to pass this tie-up by, it is a pleasant place to stop, especially if you're looking for peace and quiet.
Very nice tie-up located at a park in the center of town; one of the best on the canal. The visitor center opened in 2001. The door to the visitor center is on the north side of the building; don't be misled by the "Police Substation" sign beside the door. Although the visitor center is not always staffed, the doors to the restrooms and showers (on the west side of the building, ground level) were left unlocked during the day when I was there. When I arrived late one evening, a police officer making his rounds got me a restroom key.
Both; get door lock combination from bridge operator or other boaters
Other facilities
Events/attractions
A short, marked trail leads to the downtown area. The trail forks near town. The fork heading north leads to a park with a picturesque waterfall, pool (swimming allowed), and stream.
Comments
Very nice tie-up which opened in 2000; one of the best on the canal. Well stocked supermarket where the trail enters the town.
Canal Festival in early July. Medina Falls. The Aqueduct where the canal passes over Old Orchard Creek. The Culvert -- the only place a road passes under the canal.
Comments
There is an information kiosk. A visitor center is under construction.
All day festival on Saturday of Labor Day. Local tour guide is available from the bridge attendant and at post office, village hall, and library.
Comments
Small corner store, laundromat, library, gift shops, several bars and eating establishments (including The Basket Factory, a canalside restaurant and Lembke's Middleport Inn, less than 1/4 S of the Main St. bridge) are located within a short walking distance. Telephone one block east at convenience store. Drugstore is within a mile.
There is a small canal museum in the old power house at the lock. The N bank of the canal next to the spillway is part of the original Erie Canal. A close examination will reveal metal attachment points used back then still imbedded in the wall. Enjoy watching boats locking through Locks 35 and 34 (step locks with a combined lift of almost 50 feet). A walkway goes E past Lock 34 to a park which runs along the N bank of the canal.
Comments
On the W end of Lock 35, there is a spillway between the N bank of the canal and the N chamber wall. The tie-up is in the spillway along the N chamber wall. The spillway forms a relatively narrow and shallow (about 7' if I remember correctly) cul-de-sac. There is no room to turn around so, if you enter bow first, you will have to back out. When tying up and positioning your fenders, keep in mind your boat will rise and fall a short distance as the lock fills and empties. Be careful not to leave while the lock is filling; the suction can pull your boat up against the lock wall. The tie-up is basic but fairly new and well maintained. The lock staff on site are very friendly and helpful and a great source of information. There is a supermarket about 3/4 mile away -- go S on Pine St., E on Main St., N on Market St. This tie-up is located in the center of town and, for that reason, many boaters find it preferable to the municipal marina which is located on the outskirts of town about 1 mile east of Lock 34.
Canal Fest is a major celebration -- boats are rafted 2 and 3 deep on both the Tonawanda and N. Tonawanda walls, many events, lots of booths, amusement rides. This is a wall tie-up at a park. Transportation to Niagra Falls available.
