Blueway Trail: Port Kent to Cumberland Bay

It is recommended that this route be completed south to north. This route begins in the now-quiet-but-once-bustling town of Port Kent and continues north to two different wildlife management areas, both of which offer excellent wetland and wildlife viewing opportunities. This trail also passes the sites of both the Battle of Valcour and the Battle of Plattsburgh, leading paddlers through the same waters and channels that soldiers of various nationalities fought for control over almost 200 years ago. The route ends at the Plattsburgh City Beach, which is adjacent to Cumberland Bay State Park.

Launch Sites: Plattsburgh City Beach; Port Kent Ferry Landing

Approximate Paddling Distance: 16 miles (25.7 kilometers)

Insider Tip from Paddlers Cathy Frank and Margaret Holden: “Make sure you give yourself time to check out Ausable Marsh, home to an abundance of wildlife, including black duck, great blue heron, osprey, beaver, muskrat, turtles, fish, and frogs. The Ausable Marsh Walking Trail, about 1 mile, is a good way to explore. Because the area is rich in waterfowl, you may want to avoid paddling here during hunting season, as hunting is permitted. Paddling up the lower mouth of the Ausable River and around to the upper mouth is a beautiful protected paddle.”

Other Notes: This segment is exposed to strong north and south winds and waves.

TRIP PLAN DETAILS

Activities: 0 hours

Driving: 56 min/21.8 mi

Duration: 1 day

Start at Port Kent Ferry Landing

Go southwest on RT-373
0.09 mi – 00:00:13

Arrive at Port Kent, on the right

Depart Port Kent

Go back north on RT-373
0.05 mi – 00:00:07

Arrive at Port Kent Beach, on the left

Depart Port Kent Beach

Go back south on RT-373
0.21 mi – 00:00:29

Turn right on Lake St
1.08 mi – 00:02:36

Arrive at Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area, on the left

Depart Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Continue northwest on Lake St
0.34 mi – 00:00:49

Continue on Giddings Rd
0.25 mi – 00:00:18

Turn right on Lakeside Rd
0.02 mi – 00:00:03

Bear left on Plains Rd
1.20 mi – 00:02:53

Turn right on Sunlea Village Dr
0.19 mi – 00:00:27

Turn right on US-9 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
2.24 mi – 00:02:34

Turn right on Ausable Point Rd
1.17 mi – 00:05:38

Arrive at Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area, on the right

Depart Ausable Marsh Wildlife Management Area

Go back west on Ausable Point Rd
0.32 mi – 00:01:32

Arrive at Ausable Point State Park, on the right

Depart Ausable Point State Park

Continue northwest on Ausable Point Rd
0.85 mi – 00:04:05

Make sharp right on US-9 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
2.20 mi – 00:02:37

Turn right on Santa Ln
0.18 mi – 00:00:25

Turn right on Coastland Dr
0.10 mi – 00:00:14

Arrive at Battle of Valcour Site, on the left

Depart Battle of Valcour Site

Go back north on Coastland Dr
0.10 mi – 00:00:14

Turn left on Santa Ln
0.18 mi – 00:00:25

Turn right on US-9 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
2.84 mi – 00:04:13

Turn right on Clifton Point Dr (Clinton Point Dr)
00:00:01

Arrive at Hotel Champlain (now Clinton Community College), on the left

Depart Hotel Champlain (now Clinton Community College)

Go back west on Clifton Point Dr (Clinton Point Dr)
00:00:01

Turn right on US-9 (Lakes To Locks Psge)
2.18 mi – 00:03:49

At roundabout, take the first exit to proceed on New York Rd
0.13 mi – 00:00:29

Turn left on Ohio Ave
0.08 mi – 00:00:19

Make sharp right on US Oval
0.41 mi – 00:01:38

Continue on President TR Ln (President T Roosevelt Ln)
0.11 mi – 00:00:18

Continue on Club Rd
0.26 mi – 00:00:56

Turn left on Hamilton St
0.06 mi – 00:00:16

Turn right on Macdonough St
0.15 mi – 00:00:55

Turn right on Bridge St and immediately turn left on Dock St
0.18 mi – 00:00:47

Bear left to stay on Dock St
0.05 mi – 00:00:31

Arrive at Plattsburgh Breakwater, on the right

Depart Plattsburgh Breakwater

Go back west on Dock St
0.21 mi – 00:01:22

Turn right on Bridge St
0.32 mi – 00:01:26

Turn right on City Hall Pl (US-9 N)
0.22 mi – 00:00:44

Continue on Cumberland Ave (Lakes To Locks Psge)
0.02 mi – 00:00:02

Arrive at Saranac River, on the right

Depart Saranac River

Go back west on Cumberland Ave (Lakes To Locks Psge)
0.02 mi – 00:00:02

Turn right on Sailly Ave
0.63 mi – 00:02:32

Turn right on US-9 (Margaret St)
1.28 mi – 00:02:40

Turn right on Cumberland Head Rd (RT-314 E)
0.24 mi – 00:00:30

Turn right on Beach Rd
0.20 mi – 00:01:23

Arrive at Cumberland Bay Battle Site, on the right

Depart Cumberland Bay Battle Site

Go back northwest on Beach Rd
0.17 mi – 00:01:08

Turn left on Crete Center Rd
0.06 mi – 00:00:13

Turn left
0.10 mi – 00:00:59

Arrive at Plattsburgh City Beach, on the left

Depart Plattsburgh City Beach

Go back northeast
0.10 mi – 00:00:46

Turn right on Crete Center Rd
0.06 mi – 00:00:18

Turn left on Beach Rd and immediately turn right on Cumberland Head Rd
0.76 mi – 00:01:26

At fork keep right on Cumberland Head Rd (CR-42 S)
0.09 mi – 00:00:08

Make sharp right on Fire House Ln (Firehouse Ln)
0.04 mi – 00:00:05

Turn left to stay on Fire House Ln (Firehouse Ln)
0.10 mi – 00:00:14

Finish at Cumberland Bay State Park, on the right

Location

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