Cruise, Cast & Paddle: Experience the Waters of Albany
Albany, NY is shaped literally and culturally by water. Whether you're wondering what river runs through Albany, where to kayak near the City, or which lakes are nearby, you'll find a rich mix of options when it comes to the waters of Albany, NY - and how to best enjoy them.
The Hudson River: Albany's Lifeline
The most prominent body of water in Albany is the Hudson River, which runs alongside downtown. Stretching over 300 miles from the Adirondacks to New York Harbor, the Hudson segment passing through Albany has been central to the region’s trade, transportation, and recreation for centuries.
Historically, it played a key role in early Dutch settlements and became a vital shipping route during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it remains a scenic and recreational asset, home to waterfront parks, fishing spots, and boat launches.
Known as the river that flows two ways, the Hudson is a tidal estuary - a special spot where the salty ocean water meets fresh water. This unique characteristic supports a rich ecosystem, with creatures from striped bass to bald eagles.
Popular ways to enjoy the Hudson River in Albany include:
🚢 Dutch Apple Cruises - look forward to skyline views, historic bridges, and maybe even wildlife spotting.
🛶 Upstate Kayak Rentals - explore the river at your own pace.
🍤 Yanni's Too Restaurant - situated in nearby Coeymans, it's a popular waterfront dining space.
⚓ USS Slater - check out this restored World War II destroyer escort.
🚴 CDPHP Cycle! - hop on a bike rental to cycle along the riverbanks
The Mohawk River: Gateway to the West
Flowing just north of Albany, the Mohawk River is the Hudson's largest tributary and has long been one of New York's most important waterways. For centuries, it served as a trade route for the Indigenous peoples and became a vital corridor for westward expansion after European settlement.
Today, it's popular for boating, fishing, and riverside cycling along the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, which offers miles of scenic views. Wildlife lovers might spot ospreys or great blue herons along its banks.
The river's most dramatic feature is the Cohoes Falls, where the Mohawk drops over 75 feet before merging with the Hudson.
At Peebles Island State Park, you can walk trails with views of both rivers and watch the Mohawk flow into the Hudson.
Head to Max410 at the Waters Edge in Glenville for riverside dining with great seafood along the Mohawk. "It's like a vacation every time we dine here," one guest noted.
The Erie Canal: An Engineering Marvel
While it doesn't run directly through modern Albany, the Erie Canal is of massive historical importance to the region. It connects the Hudson River at the City, making Albany its eastern gateway.
Completed in 1825 after eight years of construction, it linked the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, transforming commerce by providing the first continuous water route from the Atlantic Ocean to America's interior.
Today, sections of the New York State Canal System are open to recreational boaters during the warmer months. On land, cyclists can follow the historic route along the Erie Canalway Trail, which passes through communities tied to the canal's history.
Normans Kill: Albany's Hidden Stream
Flowing into the Hudson just south of downtown, Normans Kill is a small but historically significant creek named for the Norwegian settler Albert Andriessen Bradt in the 1600s. Once a hub for gristmills, it's now valued for its peaceful natural setting.
The Normans Kill Preserve offers hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities, with sightings of deer, songbirds, and other local species.
Urban & Local Lakes: Bodies of Water Near Albany, NY
Albany is home to a handful of lakes perfect for fishing, kayaking, and relaxing close to the City.
Tivoli Lake
Part of the Tivoli Lake Preserve, this is Albany’s largest urban nature preserve, with wetlands, trails, and boardwalks ideal for birdwatching and environmental education.
Six Mile Waterworks & Rensselaer Lake
Tucked along the western edge of Albany in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, Six Mile Waterworks is a serene fishing and kayaking spot with picnic areas and surrounding trails.
Lawson Lake
Located between Albany and Greene counties, this Albany County park offers non-motorized boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking, surrounded by wooded hills.
Reservoirs: Albany's Water Supply
Some of Albany's most important waterbodies are off limits to recreation because they provide drinking water:
Alcove Reservoir
Situated in Coeymans, the Alcove Reservoir is the City's primary water source, surrounded by forested land for water quality protection.
Basic Creek Reservoir
This man-made reservoir in Westerlo serves as a backup water supply for Albany, ensuring a steady flow of clean water.
Smaller Streams of Tributaries
Beyond the major rivers and lakes, Albany's smaller waterways quietly support the local ecosystem:
Plotter Kill
The Plotter Kill, a tributary of the Mohawk River, winds through the scenic Plotter Kill Preserve, where you can see a small waterfall before it joins the Mohawk east of Rotterdam Junction.
Patroon Creek
Flowing through Albany’s west side into the Hudson, Patroon Creek once powered mills during the City’s early industrial days. It now runs through neighborhoods, parks, and past the SUNY Albany campus.
Krum Kill
A tributary of Normans Kill, Krum Kill winds through western Albany and Guilderland, with wooded banks and marshland that serve as wildlife habitat.
Enjoy the Waters of Albany Your Way
The waters of Albany, NY define the City's past, present and future, as they've carried goods, inspired stories, and provided places for relaxation and adventure. Although this is not an exhaustive list, it covers the major waterbodies and many of the smaller ones in and near Albany.
Whether you're finding a new spot to cast a line or are dining waterfront, plan your next water-inspired outing in Albany today!
🏖️ Find five beaches within one hour of Albany >>
