Paddle Into Adirondack History at the 2026 Adirondack Canoe Classic
The 90-Miler through the heart of the Adirondacks.
Every September, the waterways between Old Forge and Saranac Lake become the setting for one of the Adirondacks' most enduring athletic traditions. The Adirondack Canoe Classic—better known as the 90-Miler—returns September 11–13, 2026, bringing 275 boats to the historic waterways that form the first 90 miles of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
Part endurance race, part paddling pilgrimage, this three-day Adirondack sporting event winds through lakes, rivers, and carries that have served as the region's original highways for centuries.
For spectators, it's one of the best weekends of the year to experience the Adirondacks from the shoreline. For paddlers, it's 90 miles of equal parts determination, blisters, camaraderie, and spectacular scenery.
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What is the Adirondack Canoe Classic?
Hosted annually by the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the Adirondack Canoe Classic began more than four decades ago and has grown into one of the premier paddling events in the Northeast.
Participants travel from Old Forge to Saranac Lake over three days, navigating open water, winding rivers, beaver-dammed channels, and nearly six miles of portages. Canoes, kayaks, guideboats, and other human-powered craft are all welcome—provided paddlers are prepared.
And that's an important distinction.
The 90-Miler is not a leisurely leaf-peeping excursion. Weather can swing from crisp autumn mornings to unseasonably hot afternoons. Wind on Long Lake and Raquette Lake has humbled many experienced paddlers, while mile-long carries test both legs and patience.
Registration for the 2026 race is already full, with a waiting list in place. The field is capped at 275 boats under the event's New York State Department of Environmental Conservation permit.
Three days across the Adirondacks.
Day 1 begins in Old Forge and covers approximately 34 miles through the Fulton Chain, Raquette Lake, Brown's Tract, and into Blue Mountain Lake.
Day 2 takes paddlers 33 miles from Long Lake to Tupper Lake via the Raquette River—a twisting, scenic stretch that includes "The Crusher," a cut-off point known to many participants.
Day 3 offers a comparatively short 22-mile finale from Fish Creek to Saranac Lake, traversing Upper and Lower Saranac before ending at Lake Flower.
The finish line may only be 90 miles from the start, but ask anyone who has completed it, and they'll tell you: it feels much farther.
Watch the 90-Miler in action.
Experience the Adirondack Canoe Classic on the water.
Watch this video to see paddlers navigating lakes, carries, and finish-line celebrations during the Adirondack Canoe Classic, one of the Northeast's most iconic paddling events.
Paddlers take on the Adirondack Canoe Classic's 90-mile journey from Old Forge to Saranac Lake.
The video highlights the waterways and communities that make the Adirondack Canoe Classic a bucket-list paddling event in New York's Adirondack Park.
Why the 90-Miler matters in the Adirondacks.
Few events connect so many Adirondack communities in a single weekend. Old Forge, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, and Saranac Lake all play host to racers, volunteers, pit crews, and spectators.
The event also serves a larger purpose.
As a nonprofit, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail reinvests proceeds into stewardship projects throughout the Adirondacks, including campsites, access points, carries, and educational programming. Participating in the 90-Miler helps support the broader paddling community long after the finish line has been crossed.
Listen to ADK Talks: The Adirondacks and America's Longest Water Trail.
Learn more about the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and its impact on Adirondack communities in this episode of the ADK Talks podcast featuring Executive Director Karrie Thomas.
The episode provides valuable context for understanding why the Adirondack Canoe Classic remains one of the region's most beloved outdoor traditions.
Where to watch the Adirondack Canoe Classic.
Even if registration is closed, the 90-Miler remains a fantastic spectator event.
Friday, September 11
Old Forge Pond start line (early morning)
Seventh Lake carry
Brown's Tract
Blue Mountain Lake finish
Saturday, September 12
Long Lake Bridge and Bissell's Field start
Raquette River overlooks
The Crusher checkpoint
Tupper Lake finish area
Sunday, September 13
Fish Creek Campground start
The Narrows on Upper Saranac Lake
Lower Locks
Lake Flower finish line in Saranac Lake
The most dramatic spectator experience is undoubtedly Sunday afternoon at the New York State Boat Launch on Lake Flower. Finishers arrive tired, muddy, and grinning—the sort of expression typically reserved for marathon runners and people who finally locate cell service after a long camping trip.
ADK Taste recommendation.
Head to Lake Flower in Saranac Lake around midday on Sunday and stay for the finish. Bring a chair, a camera, and a cup of coffee from one of downtown's cafés. The atmosphere is equal parts athletic achievement and Adirondack reunion.
Paddlers on Fish Creek during the 90-miler.
ADK Taste insight.
The 90-Miler follows waterways that Indigenous peoples, guides, and early settlers used long before roads connected the Adirondacks. Paddling the route today offers a rare opportunity to experience the Park much as generations before did: one stroke at a time.
Preparing for the Adirondack Canoe Classic.
Thinking you’d like to compete in the 90-miler? Veterans of the event offer remarkably consistent advice: train.
Spend time in your boat. Practice portages. Test hydration systems and snacks. Know how to perform a self-rescue. And never underestimate the value of a good pit crew.
Successful paddlers aren't necessarily the fastest. They're often the best prepared.
As organizers note, participants can spend hours without immediate access to medical assistance. Safety boats, search-and-rescue personnel, and DEC staff provide support, but paddlers are ultimately responsible for themselves and one another.
That ethos—self-reliance paired with community—is perhaps the most Adirondack thing about the entire event.
As summer quietly gives way to autumn, the Adirondack Canoe Classic offers a reminder that some of the Park's best stories are still told from the seat of a canoe.
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Portage along the 90-miler route.
Event details.
Event: Adirondack Canoe Classic (90-Miler)
Dates: September 11–13, 2026
Start: Old Forge Pond, Old Forge
Finish: NYS Boat Launch, Lake Flower, Saranac Lake
Registration: Full (waiting list available)
Website: Visit the Northern Forest Canoe Trail website for updates and spectator information.
Event Type: Paddling event, endurance race, outdoor recreation
FAQ.
Is registration still open for the 2026 Adirondack Canoe Classic?
No. Registration is currently full, though paddlers may join the waiting list.
How long is the Adirondack Canoe Classic?
The race covers approximately 90 miles over three days.
Can spectators watch the 90-Miler?
Yes. Popular viewing locations include Old Forge, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, and the finish line in Saranac Lake.
What kinds of boats are allowed?
Canoes, kayaks, guideboats, and several other human-powered craft are eligible.
Who organizes the Adirondack Canoe Classic?
The Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stewardship and paddlesports access.
Where does the race end?
At the New York State Boat Launch on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake.
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