Slip into a  canoe or kayak and explore the wild side of the Raquette River’s Oxbow. This guided paddle takes you through a rich wetland ecosystem shaped by water, wildlife, and the engineering skills of beavers. As you wind through quiet channels and scenic river bends, keep an eye out for native birds, aquatic plants, signs of beaver activity, and other wildlife that call this special habitat home.

Each trip is led by a NYS-licensed guide and Wild Center naturalist who will share stories about the river’s natural history, wetland ecology, and the plants and animals you encounter along the way.

Paddle trips start at 1:00 p.m. from our docks, located one-third of a mile from the museum. Wild Center admission tickets are required to participate in the paddle experience. Please purchase admission tickets and plan to arrive on campus by 11:00 a.m. or earlier to allow time for admission and the walk to the river. There are no bathrooms available at the river, though a portable toilet is provided.

Choosing a Boat:

• Single-person kayak (ages 13+) 
• Tandem canoe that accommodates 2–3 adults or 2 adults and1- 2 children (ages 4–12).

Please determine the number of kayaks and/or canoes your group will need before making your reservation. We have 5 kayaks and 4 canoes available for advance registration. Reserve Canoe Tickets here by selecting the date first then the number of boats you will need. To reserve a kayak please use the Paddle the Raquette - Kayak Tickets page. 

Price: This does not include admission tickets please purchase those seperately
• Canoe: $50
• Member Canoe: $40