Kayaking in Harriman State Park

I have to say that although located downstate from me, Harriman State Park offers some of the nicest flat water lake paddling around. The capital district does not deliver when looking for scenic places to paddle within 30 minutes or so of downtown. I happen to travel to NYC quite often and when I do I bring my kayak so I can paddle one of the many lakes that make up Harriman.

I had the opportunity to paddle around Lake Tiorati which I later found out I needed a permit for, none the less, the lake contains many islands and rocky shoreline to explore. It is big enough that you do not have to paddle past crowded beaches and campsites. The longest paddling option by far is down route 106 when entering the first traffic circle going north on 7 Lakes Drive. This lake is connected with another one and paddling under the old stone bridge leads you to a lake which is not built around at all. Many of the lakes within the park have beaches, camp sites and other man made objects, while some have none at all. The swiming in these lakes is also real nice.