Ribbon-Cutting Celebration on National Canoe Day
The air was cool and still as paddlers dipped into Otsego Lake at sunrise. Within hours, the shore buzzed with celebration as kayaks glided through a ceremonial ribbon on the water, officially launching the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail (NYSBWT). Marking both National Canoe Day and the debut of this 190-mile paddling route, the ribbon-cutting event connected community, conservation, and adventure.
More than a local festivity, this launch signals a major new outdoor destination for New York State. The trail follows the Chemung and Susquehanna Rivers, stretching from Cooperstown to Corning. Along the way, paddlers will find over 50 public access points and a network of small towns, fishing holes, and forested bends that feel worlds away from daily life.
🌊 A Vision Turned River Trail
After nearly six years of planning, the NYSBWT has become a reality thanks to a coalition of regional tourism partners. These include This is Cooperstown, Visit Binghamton, Experience Tioga, Explore Steuben, Chemung County, and Friends of the Chemung River Watershed. The project was made possible with funding from the American Rescue Plan’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Grant, administered by Empire State Development.
To guide paddlers of all levels, the trail is paired with a new website: Paddlethe607.com. This digital resource includes maps, itineraries, safety tips, and interactive tools for trip planning. Whether you’re brand new to kayaking or an experienced river explorer, you’ll find everything you need in one place.
In addition to trail info, the site connects users to dining, lodging, and gear rentals across eight counties—making it a full-service guide to exploring the Susquehanna’s upper basin.
🚣♀️ A Celebration on the Shore
During Thursday’s launch, community leaders gathered to reflect on the significance of this project. Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh of Cooperstown highlighted the importance of Otsego Lake, calling it “not only a treasured natural resource, but also the source of one of the East Coast’s longest rivers.”
Cass Harrington, President & CEO of Destination Marketing Corporation, noted the trail’s potential to boost regional tourism. “Since the pandemic, we’ve seen record visitors to the Catskills and Adirondacks. Now, we’re encouraging them to discover this hidden gem—with all the beauty, heritage, and small-town charm the 607 has to offer.”
🗺️ What’s in the Paddle Plan
- 190 miles of river trail between Cooperstown and Corning
- 50+ public access points along the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers
- 11 themed itineraries including family floats, multi-day adventures, and fishing trips
- A planning hub at Paddlethe607.com, updated regularly with events and safety guidance
Even more exciting, the trail connects to Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Greenway, forming part of a 444-mile corridor that ultimately reaches Chesapeake Bay. As a result, paddlers can now stitch together local adventures into regional or even multi-state expeditions.
🌿 Why It Matters
The Susquehanna River is the longest non-commercially navigable river in the U.S., flowing for over 444 miles. It delivers nearly half the freshwater entering the Chesapeake Bay, making its health critical for ecosystems throughout the East Coast. Trails like NYSBWT not only promote recreation, but also environmental stewardship and education.
Moreover, river-based tourism provides a low-impact economic boost to rural communities—bringing visitors to small towns, campsites, eateries, and outfitters along the way. This aligns with New York’s broader push to expand outdoor recreation as a driver of economic resilience.
🎒 Ready to Paddle?
Start your journey today at Paddlethe607.com. Whether you’re chasing trout, paddling with family, or exploring solo, the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail is ready to welcome you.
Adventure flows from here.
Like Planning Paddling Trails and Wrangling Controlled Mayhem?
If the launch of the Susquehanna Basin Water Trail got your heart racing (or at least made you want to alphabetize a kayak roster), we might have a job for you.
This is Cooperstown is hiring a Tourism Administrative Assistant, aka Chaos Wrangler, to keep our tourism machine running smoother than a canoe on Otsego Lake at sunrise. From fielding questions like “Can I try on Babe Ruth’s uniform?” to updating events and cheering on small businesses, you’ll be the behind-the-scenes MVP of all things Cooperstown.
Think you can handle it? Paddle over and read the full job description ➡️
Photos by Destination Marketing Corp.
