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New York | Montgomery County / Fultonville, Fort Hunter, Tribes Hill, and Amsterdam

Erie Canal / Mohawk RiverFultonville to Amsterdam

A 9.3-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the Village of Fultonville Dock through Schoharie Crossing Boat Ramp, Lock E12 at Tribes Hill, Yankee Hill Lock, Lock E11, and Port Jackson/South Side Launch in Amsterdam. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 25 and labels Fultonville, Schoharie Crossing, and Port Jackson as the principal launch areas while retaining E12, Yankee Hill, and E11 as control contexts. The guidebook documents the powerful and flood-prone Schoharie Creek crossing, E12 movable-dam current, south-channel island instructions, Yankee Hill’s car-top/floating dock, E11 current, and Port Jackson’s accessible ramp.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceAbout 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from Fultonville Dock to Port Jackson/South Side Launch
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 5–8 hours depending on wind
ShuttleCar shuttle
Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Fultonville to Amsterdam section.
Route photoFultonville to Amsterdam Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

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This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceAbout 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from Fultonville Dock to Port Jackson/South Side LaunchFultonville to Amsterdam
DifficultyhardThe route is mostly canal and Mohawk flatwater but includes the powerful/flood-prone Schoharie Creek crossing, Lock E12 and E11 movable-dam zones, islands requiring channel selection, lock walls, bridges, traffic, limited egress, cold water, debris, wind, and several managed or historic access contexts.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the confirmed Port Jackson/South Side Launch, then drive to the Fultonville Dock. Allow time for the one-way shuttle, Schoharie Creek and E12/E11 checks, island-channel navigation, traffic, and a conservative daylight margin.
PermitsCheck posted rulesConfirm current Canal Corporation E12/E11 lock, movable-dam, spillway, and portage procedures; DEC Schoharie Crossing launch status and fee; historic-site landing boundaries; Fultonville Dock, Yankee Hill, and Port Jackson municipal rules; Amsterdam Riverlink lodging/dock options; boating/PFD requirements; and clean-drain-dry procedures before departure.
CampingOptions nearbyThe guidebook documents camping in the village park near the Fonda Canal Maintenance Shops just west of this corridor, and Amsterdam Riverlink Park offers services, showers, laundry, and floating docks near the eastern end. Confirm current campground, marina, launch, dock, and parking rules; do not infer camping at Schoharie Crossing, locks, islands, Fultonville Dock, or Port Jackson.
SeasonMay-OctThis Fultonville-to-Amsterdam canal reach is seasonal and sensitive to Mohawk River and canal levels, the powerful/flood-prone Schoharie Creek crossing, Lock E12 and E11 movable dams, islands, bridges, railroad and highway traffic, cold water, debris, wind, and changing launch/parking access. Verify current Canal Corporation, DEC, municipal, and historic-site notices before departure.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 9.3-mile one-way Erie Canal Water Trail section from the Village of Fultonville Dock through Schoharie Crossing Boat Ramp, Lock E12 at Tribes Hill, Yankee Hill Lock, Lock E11, and Port Jackson/South Side Launch in Amsterdam. The official stewardship inventory identifies this as Section 25 and labels Fultonville, Schoharie Crossing, and Port Jackson as the principal launch areas while retaining E12, Yankee Hill, and E11 as control contexts. The guidebook documents the powerful and flood-prone Schoharie Creek crossing, E12 movable-dam current, south-channel island instructions, Yankee Hill’s car-top/floating dock, E11 current, and Port Jackson’s accessible ramp.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Village of Fultonville Dock
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The stored coordinates follow official Erie Canalway guide, stewardship, and Canalway boating-map anchors; dock, ramp, carry, parking, camping, lock, movable-dam, bridge, traffic, island, municipal, and seasonal conditions remain subject to current operation.

Finish

Take-out

Port Jackson/South Side Launch
Open mapDirections to take-out

The stewardship table lists three principal Section 25 launch contexts while also naming E12, Yankee Hill, and E11 as navigation or historic controls; the full chain is retained here so the route does not hide mandatory control points or conditional landings.

Road shuttle

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Access planner

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

On-water distance9.3 miMixed access
On-water timeAbout 5–8 hours depending on windFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Village of Fultonville Dock, Section 25 start to Port Jackson/South Side Launch is about 9.3 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The stored coordinates follow official Erie Canalway guide, stewardship, and Canalway boating-map anchors; dock, ramp, carry, parking, camping, lock, movable-dam, bridge, traffic, island, municipal, and seasonal conditions remain subject to current operation.
  • The stewardship table lists three principal Section 25 launch contexts while also naming E12, Yankee Hill, and E11 as navigation or historic controls; the full chain is retained here so the route does not hide mandatory control points or conditional landings.
  • Schoharie Crossing Boat Ramp is 0.13 miles up Schoharie Creek and the historic site is farther up the creek; the route card does not assume the historic grounds are a direct canal launch.
  • The route ends at Port Jackson/South Side Launch before the separate Fultonville-to-Amsterdam corridor’s next section boundary; continuing east requires separate Amsterdam and Rotterdam Junction planning.

Watch for

  • USGS 04237496 unavailable, rapidly changing, or inconsistent with local Mohawk/Erie Canal conditions
  • Powerful/flood-prone Schoharie Creek, Lock E12/E11 movable dams, strong current, Pepper Island channels, Bronson Island rough water after rain, bridges, traffic, cold water, debris, and wind
  • Fultonville floating dock, DEC Schoharie Crossing ramp/fee, E12 north-side approach, Yankee Hill carry, E11 north-side approach, Port Jackson accessible launch, and the Section 26 boundary

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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

Erie Barge Canal west of the Genesee River at Rochester, New York, used as same-canal proxy context for the Fultonville to Amsterdam section.
Fultonville to Amsterdam Erie Canal route and same-canal proxy contextPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS station photograph; same-canal proxy context

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 sectionFultonville to Amsterdam; approximately 9.3 miles; official Section 25

    The official Erie Canalway stewardship inventory identifies the section, mileage, Fultonville start, Port Jackson endpoint, and named launch/control contexts.

    Source

  • Public and conditional water-entry chainFultonville Dock, Schoharie Crossing Boat Ramp, Lock E12, Yankee Hill Lock, Lock E11, and Port Jackson/South Side Launch

    The official Little Falls-to-Albany guidebook supplies the access coordinates, facilities, camping context, Schoharie Creek warning, movable-dam precautions, island-channel guidance, and Port Jackson endpoint conditions.

    Source

  • Fultonville and Amsterdam water entriesFloating dock at Fultonville and accessible concrete ramp/dock at Port Jackson

    The official Canalway boating map identifies the Fultonville small-parking floating dock and Port Jackson hard-surface accessible launch context.

    Source

  • Camping postureNearby basecamp with documented village-park camping near Fonda and services at Amsterdam Riverlink Park

    The guidebook documents camping near the Fonda maintenance shops and Amsterdam services; current availability and permission require confirmation.

    Source

  • Navigation safetySchoharie Creek, E12/E11 movable dams, island channels, traffic, and conditional-access precautions

    The guidebook and Canalway safety guidance supply route-specific control and portage precautions.

    Source

  • Proxy live gaugeUSGS 04237496 Seneca River near Baldwinsville

    USGS provides broad basin trend context only; local Mohawk inflow, Schoharie Creek flooding, canal pool, dam/lock, workboat, and access conditions remain decisive.

    Source

  • Route imageUSGS Erie Canal proxy station photograph used as clearly labeled same-canal context

    The presentation image is proxy context and does not claim to depict the Fultonville–Amsterdam reach.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04237496, Seneca River near Baldwinsville, NY

    USGS 04237496 is on the Seneca River near Baldwinsville, west of this Mohawk/Erie reach, and is used only as broad basin trend context. Local Mohawk and canal levels, Schoharie Creek flooding, movable dams, locks, wind, debris, workboats, and access can differ materially.

    Source

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

    Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Water Trail stewardship inventory 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

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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.Montgomery County / Fultonville, Fort Hunter, Tribes Hill, and AmsterdamJump to routes in this region.

More on Erie Canal / Mohawk River

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

Caroga CreekRoute 10 (Ephratah) to Route 5 · about 10 straight-line mi awayHard · About 9.5 river miles from the Route 10 / Ephratah area to Route 5Schoharie CreekBurtonsville Schoharie Creek hand launch to Dufel Road / Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and return boundary at Fort Hunter · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 14 river miles from the Burtonsville launch to the Dufel Road / Schoharie Crossing launch near Fort HunterSchoharie CreekEsperance Route 30 access to Burtonsville Schoharie Creek access · about 15 straight-line mi awayHard · 7 river milesSchoharie CreekNYSDEC Central Bridge Route 7 hand launch to NYSDEC Esperance hand launch · about 17 straight-line mi awayModerate · About 3 planning river miles from the NYSDEC Central Bridge Route 7 launch to the NYSDEC Esperance launch

Quick answers

Erie Canal / Mohawk River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Fultonville to Amsterdam route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River?

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 Fultonville to Amsterdam route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River start and end?

This route starts at Village of Fultonville Dock and ends at Port Jackson/South Side Launch, about 9.3 official Canalway miles one way from Fultonville Dock to Port Jackson/South Side Launch on the water.

Is the Fultonville to Amsterdam route on the Erie Canal / Mohawk River suitable for beginners?

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

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