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New York | Essex County / Ticonderoga

La Chute RiverBicentennial Park canoe launch to Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch

A planning-only lower La Chute River one-way from the public canoe/kayak launch at Bicentennial Park, below the major falls, to the public Ticonderoga Lake Champlain launch. The lower reach is described as an easy paddle with slight current and a marshy approach to Lake Champlain; the route deliberately excludes the upstream dams, waterfalls, penstocks, cascades, and ledges.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 3.5 planning miles from the lower-falls launch to Lake Champlain; the exact marsh and lake approach varies with the chosen landing line
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeAbout 2–3 hours depending on current
ShuttleCar shuttle
La Chute River near Ticonderoga, New York, below the falls toward Lake Champlain.
Route photoLower La Chute River route contextPhoto by Lake Champlain Region

Need to know

Why this call
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 distanceApproximately 3.5 planning miles from the lower-falls launch to Lake Champlain; the exact marsh and lake approach varies with the chosen landing lineBicentennial Park canoe launch to Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch
DifficultymoderateThe lower reach is described as easy with slight current, but it begins below a waterfall system and ends through a marshy Lake Champlain approach. Treat the upstream falls, dams, penstocks, downtown ledges, private banks, possible combined-sewer-overflow advisories, cold water, wind, and lake traffic as real route controls.
ShuttleCar shuttleOne-way shuttle required. Stage a vehicle at the NYSDEC Ticonderoga Lake Champlain launch or arrange a confirmed shuttle before launching; do not assume a walkable carry between the launches or a public landing along the marsh.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current NYSDEC boating, PFD, Clean-Drain-Dry, launch, parking, and Lake Champlain navigation rules, plus Town of Ticonderoga park and access instructions. Confirm any water-quality advisory, event closure, ferry/boat-traffic restriction, and current launch status before departure.
CampingDay tripNo camping is claimed at either route endpoint or along the lower La Chute. Use nearby developed or state-park camping only as a separate basecamp plan, confirming current reservation, seasonal, and access rules before departure.
SeasonMay-OctLate spring through fall is the practical window, subject to direct gauge trend, rainfall, water-quality advisories, wind, Lake Champlain conditions, boat traffic, daylight, and current launch/shuttle status.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A planning-only lower La Chute River one-way from the public canoe/kayak launch at Bicentennial Park, below the major falls, to the public Ticonderoga Lake Champlain launch. The lower reach is described as an easy paddle with slight current and a marshy approach to Lake Champlain; the route deliberately excludes the upstream dams, waterfalls, penstocks, cascades, and ledges.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Bicentennial Park La Chute River canoe/kayak launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

The regional paddling page identifies the lower-reach canoe/kayak launch across from Bicentennial Park near the Kissing Bridge; verify the exact carry and waterline in person because the town page primarily documents the adjacent walking trail and waterfall area.

Finish

Take-out

NYSDEC Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch at Route 74 / ferry landing
Open mapDirections to take-out

The community profile identifies the La Chute River Boat Launch at Bicentennial Park and the NYSDEC Ticonderoga launch at Route 74/ferry landing. The route uses the current public launch coordinates and does not claim a private Fort Ticonderoga shoreline landing.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The regional paddling page identifies the lower-reach canoe/kayak launch across from Bicentennial Park near the Kissing Bridge; verify the exact carry and waterline in person because the town page primarily documents the adjacent walking trail and waterfall area.
  • The community profile identifies the La Chute River Boat Launch at Bicentennial Park and the NYSDEC Ticonderoga launch at Route 74/ferry landing. The route uses the current public launch coordinates and does not claim a private Fort Ticonderoga shoreline landing.
  • The lower route is intentionally bounded below the Lower Falls. The upper Lake George-to-Bicentennial reach contains multiple waterfalls, dams, penstocks, cascades, and ledges and remains a separate technical/portage review.

Watch for

  • Direct USGS 04279015 La Chute at State Highway 22 conditions; no numeric cutoff is asserted
  • recent rain and fast rise, low water, wood, bridges, downtown dams/falls, cold water, and current water-quality advisories
  • marsh navigation, Lake Champlain wind/chop, motorboat traffic, ferry/landing activity, daylight, and a confirmed one-way shuttle

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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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

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

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

La Chute River near Ticonderoga, New York, below the falls toward Lake Champlain.
Lower La Chute River route contextPhoto by Lake Champlain Region
Current Lake Champlain Region route photography

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.

  • Lower-reach paddling guidanceEasy lower La Chute paddle with slight current from below the falls toward Lake Champlain

    The regional paddling guide distinguishes the lower section from the challenging upper waterfall reach and describes the marshy approach to Lake Champlain.

    Source

  • Bicentennial public water entryLa Chute River Boat Launch, Bicentennial Park; canoe/kayak launch

    The current Town of Ticonderoga community profile lists the public canoe/kayak launch at Bicentennial Park. The regional paddling page places the launch across the river near the Kissing Bridge.

    Source

  • Public Lake Champlain take-outNYSDEC Ticonderoga Boat Launch at Route 74 / ferry landing, 43.853894, -73.386785

    NYSDEC lists a current hard-surface public launch with parking and accessible facilities; verify current rules and lake conditions before using it as the shuttle endpoint.

    Source

  • Direct flow contextUSGS 04279015 La Chute at State Highway 22 at Ticonderoga, NY

    Use the direct same-river station for current trend and recent change, but do not treat a single reading as a published minimum or as a substitute for visual inspection of the lower reach and Lake Champlain.

    Source

  • Water-quality and route classificationTiconderoga Creek/La Chute is approved for boating and fishing; overflow improvements remain in progress

    The current town community profile identifies the lower reach as a popular paddling location below the falls and notes ongoing combined-sewer-overflow improvements. Check current advisories.

    Source

  • Approved same-river imageLa Chute River lower-reach route context

    Current Lake Champlain Region route photography; it does not certify present flow, water quality, launch condition, or the exact marsh landing line.

    Source

  • Direct live gaugeUSGS 04279015, La Chute at State Highway 22 at Ticonderoga, NY

    USGS 04279015 is a direct La Chute station at State Highway 22 in Ticonderoga. Use live trend with recent rainfall, visible current, wood, water-quality advisories, wind, lake level/chop, and marsh conditions; no numeric route cutoff is published.

    Source

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

    Lake Champlain Region / Town of Ticonderoga / NYSDEC / USGS and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved same-river context image used for route presentation

    The image is labeled as river-level context when it depicts the named river elsewhere, not this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Reports

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Quick answers

La Chute River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Bicentennial Park canoe launch to Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch route on the La Chute 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 Bicentennial Park canoe launch to Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch route on the La Chute River start and end?

This route starts at Bicentennial Park La Chute River canoe/kayak launch and ends at NYSDEC Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch at Route 74 / ferry landing, Approximately 3.5 planning miles from the lower-falls launch to Lake Champlain; the exact marsh and lake approach varies with the chosen landing line on the water.

Is the Bicentennial Park canoe launch to Ticonderoga Lake Champlain Boat Launch route on the La Chute River 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.

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