River recreation in the company of nature


Rivers are great places for recreation. You can paddle on the water or bike, hike, cross-country ski and walk your pets along river trails and levees. It’s a fun way to get fresh-air exercise and to reconnect with nature. You can do it by yourself or with your family. Along the way you can enjoy the scenic inspiration of hills, river islands, farms and towns and villages.


Best of all, it’s free. You don’t need reservations and the rivers are open 24/7.


The shallow 45-mile Chemung River is easy to paddle – great for beginning or novice boaters. The river has 10 public boat launches and plenty of beautiful places to come ashore to picnic, take photos or relax in the warm sun and watch the river flow. With so many boat launches you can paddle for a few hours or all day.


That exercise is good for you. It’s a low-impact sport and the perfect activity to strengthen and define your upper body. Paddling a kayak burns about 342 calories per hour.


If you enjoy fishing, the rivers are home to walleye, bass and perch and other game fish. The water is wide enough for a fly rod and deep enough for a spinning lure or live bait.


River recreation is a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way to experience our natural world while challenging the body and mind and soothing the soul.


For more information, including river maps and places to rent canoes or kayaks, visit the Friends of the Chemung River Watershed website at www.chemungriverfriends.org.