Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 30 routes on Erie Canal

New York | Monroe and Wayne Counties / Greater Rochester

Erie CanalBushnell’s Basin Docks to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30

An approximately 11.5-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from Bushnell’s Basin through Fairport and the rural eastern Monroe County canal to Macedon Canal Park at Lock E30. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 10 with Ayrault Road, Fairport Village, and Macedon launches; the guidebook documents the Bushnell’s Basin and Fairport facilities, Fairport’s unusual lift bridge and crowded vertical-wall harbor, Perinton Park, Red’s Twilight RV Resort, Erie Macedon Landing, and the Lock E30 endpoint. This remains planning-only because canal operations, bridge clearance, and local access are not represented by the 04218700 proxy gauge.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

DistanceAbout 11.5 official Canalway miles one way from Bushnell’s Basin Docks to the Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 boundary
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 6–8 hours depending on current
ShuttleCar shuttle
Bushnell’s Basin docks beside the Erie Canal in Pittsford, New York, used as endpoint context for the Bushnell’s Basin to Macedon section.
Route photoBushnell’s Basin to Macedon Erie Canal route endpoint contextPhoto by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 11.5 official Canalway miles one way from Bushnell’s Basin Docks to the Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 boundaryBushnell’s Basin Docks to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30
DifficultymoderateThe route is protected canal flatwater but includes Fairport’s crowded harbor and vertical walls, a low/variable-clearance lift bridge, rowing and powerboat traffic, guard-gate and lock machinery, long intervals between confirmed public entries, cold water, wakes, and a mandatory take-out before Lock E30 passage.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at confirmed Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 access, then drive to Bushnell’s Basin or the selected Fairport/Ayrault launch. Allow extra time for Fairport bridge delays, harbor congestion, marina/campground coordination, and the conservative take-out before Lock E30.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is identified by the Canalway guide. Confirm current Canal Corporation bridge/guard-gate and lock procedures, municipal park/dock rules, Fairport harbor restrictions, campground or marina permission, parking, and Macedon Canal Park access before departure.
CampingOptions nearbyRed’s Twilight on the Erie RV Resort is documented near the Macedon endpoint as a lodging option, subject to reservations and direct confirmation of paddler lodging and vehicle rules. No river access is claimed through the resort. No wild or canal-bank camping is claimed; Bushnell’s Basin and Fairport amenities are not permission to camp overnight.
SeasonMay-OctThis eastern Rochester Erie Canal reach is seasonal and sensitive to canal levels, Fairport lift-bridge operations, high recreational traffic, wakes, vertical walls, guard gates, storms, and changing park access. Check current Canal Corporation notices, the same-canal proxy gauge, and every access before departure.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

An approximately 11.5-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from Bushnell’s Basin through Fairport and the rural eastern Monroe County canal to Macedon Canal Park at Lock E30. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 10 with Ayrault Road, Fairport Village, and Macedon launches; the guidebook documents the Bushnell’s Basin and Fairport facilities, Fairport’s unusual lift bridge and crowded vertical-wall harbor, Perinton Park, Red’s Twilight RV Resort, Erie Macedon Landing, and the Lock E30 endpoint. This remains planning-only because canal operations, bridge clearance, and local access are not represented by the 04218700 proxy gauge.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center
Open mapDirections to put-in

The stored coordinates follow official Canalway guide and NYSDEC public access-area anchors; dock, wall, parking, carry, bridge, gate, campground, and park conditions remain subject to current local operation.

Finish

Take-out

Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30
Open mapDirections to take-out

Bushnell’s Basin, Ayrault Road, and Fairport are the clearest practical launch contexts. Perinton Park, Erie Macedon Landing, and other docks are conditional bailouts; confirm legal water entry and usable landing before relying on them.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Choose a shorter tripOptional

Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance11.5 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 6–8 hours depending on currentFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 is about 11.5 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The stored coordinates follow official Canalway guide and NYSDEC public access-area anchors; dock, wall, parking, carry, bridge, gate, campground, and park conditions remain subject to current local operation.
  • Bushnell’s Basin, Ayrault Road, and Fairport are the clearest practical launch contexts. Perinton Park, Erie Macedon Landing, and other docks are conditional bailouts; confirm legal water entry and usable landing before relying on them.
  • Fairport Village is a high-traffic vertical-wall harbor with a distinctive lift bridge. Do not infer a safe landing or bridge passage from the map pin; wait for operator clearance and maintain separation from powered and rowing craft.
  • The route ends at Macedon Canal Park before Lock E30 passage. Continuing east into the official Section 11 Macedon-to-Newark corridor requires a separate route and access review.

Watch for

  • USGS 04218700 unavailable, rapidly changing, or inconsistent with the local eastern Erie Canal pool
  • Fairport lift bridge, crowded harbor, vertical walls, powerboats, rowing crews, wakes, guard gates, Lock E30, cold water, weeds/debris, and private banks
  • Bushnell’s Basin, Ayrault Road, Perinton Park, Fairport Harbor, Red’s Twilight, Erie Macedon Landing, Macedon Canal Park, parking, carries, fees, and current Canal Corporation notices

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Bushnell’s Basin docks beside the Erie Canal in Pittsford, New York, used as endpoint context for the Bushnell’s Basin to Macedon section.
Bushnell’s Basin to Macedon Erie Canal route endpoint contextPhoto by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Official Erie Canalway destination photograph

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Distinct Canalway sectionBushnell’s Basin to Macedon; approximately 11.5 miles; official Section 10

    The official Erie Canalway stewardship inventory identifies the section, Bushnell’s Basin start, Macedon finish, and Ayrault/Fairport/Macedon launch chain.

    Source

  • Public water-entry chainBushnell’s Basin, Ayrault Road, Perinton Park, Fairport Harbor, Erie Macedon Landing, and Macedon Canal Park

    The official Rochester-to-Syracuse guidebook supplies water-entry coordinates, facilities, bridge/harbor warnings, camping context, and Lock E30 endpoint information.

    Source

  • Current Bushnell’s Basin accessNYSDEC-listed hand launch with 15-car parking

    NYSDEC lists the current Monroe County Bushnell’s Basin launch; confirm dockmaster and parking conditions.

    Source

  • Fairport navigation safetyLow-clearance lift bridge, crowded powerboat harbor, and vertical canal walls

    The guidebook supplies the clearance, operator contact, harbor facilities, and paddling caution.

    Source

  • Macedon camping and endpointRed’s Twilight RV Resort near Erie Macedon Landing and Lock E30 Canal Park ramp/dock

    The guidebook identifies the campground, marina, and Lock E30 public launch/facilities; confirm current reservations, fees, and take-out rules.

    Source

  • Navigation safetyHigh traffic, bridges, guard gates, wakes, cold water, and mandatory take-out before Lock E30

    The guidebook and Canalway safety guidance supply route-specific navigation and access precautions.

    Source

  • Proxy live gaugeUSGS 04218700 Erie Barge Canal west of Genesee River at Rochester

    USGS provides same-canal proxy context only; local canal pool, traffic, bridge clearance, debris, and lock operations remain decisive.

    Source

  • Camping postureEndpoint campground context at Red’s Twilight; no wild camping claim

    Confirm current campground permission directly and do not infer camping rights from canal banks, parks, or docks.

    Source

  • Route imageOfficial Bushnell’s Basin dock photograph used for route endpoint context

    The presentation image depicts the documented starting water-access area and is credited to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04218700, Erie (Barge) Canal west of Genesee River at Rochester, NY

    USGS 04218700 measures the Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester and is used as a same-canal proxy. Canal pool level, local weeds/debris, wind, wakes, rowing activity, bridge clearance, guard-gate operations, and launch condition can differ materially; the gauge does not authorize lock passage.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Rochester-to-Syracuse Water Trail and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved watershed/proxy-gauge context image used for route presentation

    The image is clearly labeled as watershed/proxy-gauge context and does not claim to depict this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in New York

All 282 routes
New York route guideBrowse every tracked New York route.Monroe and Wayne Counties / Greater RochesterJump to routes in this region.

More on Erie Canal

All 30
Albion Boat Launch to San Souci Canal Park, Town of MurrayOrleans County / Western New YorkModerate · About 11.9 one-way Canalway miles from Albion Boat Launch to San Souci Canal ParkAlcathy’s Boat Launch through the Waterford Flight to Waterford Point Boat RampSaratoga and Rensselaer Counties / Capital RegionModerate · 2.74 one-way Canalway miles from Alcathy’s Boat Launch to Waterford Point Boat RampAmsterdam to Rotterdam JunctionMontgomery and Schenectady Counties / Amsterdam, Town of Florida, and Rotterdam JunctionHard · About 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from Amsterdam Riverlink Park to Lock E9, Rotterdam Junction upper approachBates Road Ramp / Medina Guard Gate 15 to Albion Boat LaunchOrleans County / Western New YorkModerate · About 8.5 one-way Canalway miles from the Bates Road/Medina Guard Gate 15 boundary to Albion Boat Launch

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Allens CreekCorbett’s Glen ledge run · about 5 straight-line mi awayHard · 0.21 river miles through the Corbett’s Glen ledge sectionIrondequoit CreekEllison Park Circle Shelter to LaSalle’s Landing Park · about 6 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 3.85 waterway milesGenesee RiverGenesee Waterways Center, Genesee Valley Park to Corn Hill Landing and return · about 9 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 6.8 miles round trip from Genesee Waterways Center to Corn Hill LandingHoneoye CreekNYSDEC Fishell Road hand launch toward Golah Road and the lower Honeoye Creek corridor, returning to Fishell Road · about 11 straight-line mi awayEasy · About 7 round-trip paddling miles from the NYSDEC Fishell Road hand launch toward the Golah Road railroad-bridge reach and back

Quick answers

Erie Canal paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bushnell’s Basin Docks to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 route on the Erie Canal?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Bushnell’s Basin Docks to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 route on the Erie Canal start and end?

This route starts at Bushnell’s Basin Docks and Canal Amenity Center and ends at Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30, about 11.5 official Canalway miles one way from Bushnell’s Basin Docks to the Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 boundary on the water.

Is the Bushnell’s Basin Docks to Macedon Canal Park / Lock E30 route on the Erie Canal suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update