Click to return to NYS Home Page
Excursions and Vacations
 
NYS Canals Home
Purchase Our Cruising Guide
Notice to Mariners
1-800-4Canal4
Employment
Purchase Canal Passes
Fun Stuff
 
Land & Water Itineraries Calendar of Events Special Events Boats for Hire
Boating on the Canal Places to Go Biking & Hiking the Canalway Trail Water Trail
 land and water itineraries section tag
Erie | Champlain | Cayuga-Seneca | Oswego

The Cayuga-Seneca Canal – from Waterways to Wineries

Photo of Seneca FallsConnecting the Erie Canal with upstate New York’s Finger Lakes Region, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal is 12 miles long and combines the unique experience of inland water and deep-lake cruising. Whether by boat, or by car, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal provides the perfect link into New York’s premier wine region. As you cruise towards the Finger Lakes and continue along the Seneca River section through Cross Lake, watch above as great blue herons glide gracefully overhead near Montezuma’s Wildlife Refuge. Located at the confluence of the Erie and Cayuga-Seneca Canals, the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre haven for migratory birds and other marsh animals. At the refuge’s southerly tip, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal’s first lock appears. Enjoy a picnic by the water, launch your boat or gather brochures at the information center as you begin your journey.

Continuing south, relive history in Seneca Falls, home to the Woman’s Suffrage Movement. Stop by and visit the National Women’s Hall of Fame, featuring displays and exhibits honoring the achievements of America’s extraordinary women. Less than five miles from Lock CS-4 lies the Village of Waterloo where in 1866, the community celebrated the first observance of Memorial Day.

Surrounding both the Cayuga and Seneca Lakes are numerous state parks and almost 40 wineries for visitors to stop at and visit. If coming by boat, several wineries can be accessed by water for tours including Goose Watch Vineyard and Lakeshore Vineyard on Cayuga Lake. For more information on the local wineries, contact the Central Finger Lakes Association at 800-228-2760 and ask for their Canal Connections brochure.

If fishing is your hobby, this area is sure to offer the avid fisherman options from shallow waters to deep clear channels. There are numerous charter boat operators on each lake, so be sure to cast your reel and catch the "big one!"

CAYUGA-SENECA CANAL BOATING OPTIONSPhoto - Seneca Falls

Self-skippered boat companies

  • Erie Canal Cruise Lines – 1-800-962-1771
  • Mid-Lakes Navigation Company – 1-800-545-4318

Tour boats

  • Liberty Boat Tours– 315-246-7608
    www.libertyboattours.com
    Liberty (day and specialty cruises)
  • Captain Bill’s – 607-535-4541 – Stroller IV & Columbia (day and specialty cruises on Seneca Lake)
  • Mid-Lakes Navigation – 1-800-545-4318 - Judge Ben Wiles (day & specialty cruises on Skaneateles Lake)

Charter boats w/captain & crew

  • Force Seven Charters – 7166-349-7399 – Meta
  • Seneca Cruise Co. – 315-789-1822 - RxtaSea