The 90 Miler: Adirondack Canoe Classic

Paddlers compete along a continuous route stretching from Old Forge to Saranac Lake.

Paddlers on Long Lake during “The 90 Miler” Adirondack Canoe Classic. Photo courtesy Northern Forest Canoe Trail.

The Adirondack Canoe Classic, or "The 90 Miler," is an exciting paddling race that includes canoes, war canoes, kayaks, and guideboats. It takes place on the "Highway of the Adirondacks" on the weekend after Labor Day. This three-day, 90-mile race finishes at the DEC boat launch on Lake Flower in Saranac Lake, where participants celebrate with a ceremonial dinner.

Paddling on Fish Creek Pond during the 90-Miler. Images by Mike Lynch Photography

While participants can take advantage of lighter boats, pit crews, and trailering from the finish to start lines each day, they still tackle the same chain of lakes, rivers, and carries used by early European settlers and local Adirondack guides.

The route begins in Old Forge and travels through the Moose River, the Fulton Chain Lakes, Raquette Lake, the Raquette River, Forked Lake, Long Lake, Stony Creek Ponds, the Indian Carry, Upper Saranac Lake, Bartletts Carry, Middle Saranac Lake, Lower Saranac Lake, and finally, Lake Flower in Saranac Lake. This may seem like a long route, but it's only the first leg of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which extends to Maine.

Competitors carrying their water craft. Photo courtesy SaranacLake.com (ROOST).

The 90 Miler is open to all age groups and classes, from professional to family recreational, so there's a group for everyone. Participants from all over the world take part in this exciting event.

Registration for this year’s competition is now closed, but many people gather along the route (see map below) to cheer on the intrepid paddlers and watch as 100s of watercraft compete in this epic race.

Or pick another weekend this fall and tackle parts of or the entire 90 Miler on your own. For more information, visit the 90 Miler and the Northern Forest Canoe Trail websites.

Plan for the 2025 90 Miler in the Adirondacks.

Watch this super informative video about what it takes to train, prepare and execute the 90-Miler.

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Upcoming events in on the Adirondack Canoe Classic route.