Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
32 mi east · Fish and Wildlife Service
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Niagara Falls
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Niagara Falls for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
24places to boat and paddle
32 mito the closest
May–Septemberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
64 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
Willow Bay
77 mi south · USDA Forest Service
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Map of all 24 places
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30 to 75 miles (2)
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Our namesake comes from the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy, a powerful and enduring alliance that has thrived in the northeast for centuries.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area
The US Army Corps of Engineers built the Mount Morris Dam in the late 1940s to reduce flooding on the lower Genesee River.
- Boating
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
75 miles and farther (22)
Willow Bay
Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Ranger programs
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tracy Ridge
Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Water sports
Almond Lake
Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Allegheny Reservoir
Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Dewdrop
Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families. Recreation Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Mountain Biking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Buckaloons
Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
Red Bridge (Pa)
Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Allegheny National Forest
.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Diving
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
East Branch Campground
East Branch Campground is located at East Branch Lake in Northeastern Elk County. East Branch Lake offers an excellent freshwater fishery as well as other recreational opportunities from hiking, boating, and picnicking.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Water Activities
- Wildlife viewing
East Branch Clarion River Lake
Elk State Park is located at this lake in scenic western Pennslyvania, 14 miles north east of Johnsonburg.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kellettville Recreation Area (Pa)
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain Biking
Overlook Recreation Area
Woodcock Creek Lake is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Woodcock Creek Lake provides visitors with the chance to enjoy a number of outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hunting
Woodcock Creek Lake
Provides a 333-acre summer pool with the largest recreation facility.
- Boating
- Camping
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Woodcock Creek Lake Park & Campground
This recreation area is part of Woodcock Creek Lake
- Boating
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Winter sports
Tionesta Rec. Area Campground
Half of Forest County, where Tionesta Lake is located, is preserved as public lands. The region is known as one of Pennsylvania's best big game regions and is home to a remarkable variety of wildlife.
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Disc Golf
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Photography
Tionesta Lake
Winding its way through the rugged hills of northwestern Pennsylvania, Tionesta Lake offers a unique setting for a diversity of outdoor recreational fun. The Seneca named this area "where the water separates the land".
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Establishing the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in 1938 was the first step of many to restore the area back to its historic expanse of marshes—an area thriving with wildlife, once used by indigenous people for hunting and fishing.
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
South Shore Recreation Area
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Cowanesque Lake
This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Tompkins
Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Tioga-Hammond Lakes
Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Kettle Creek Lake
Surrounded by high mountains in a wild and scenic area, Kettle Creek State Park provides day use recreation facilities on Alvin R. Bush reservoir and campground adjacent to Corps land on the lake and downstream of the dam.
- Boating
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Niagara Falls. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Niagara Falls?
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 32 miles east of Niagara Falls as the crow flies. Next are Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area (64 mi) and Willow Bay (77 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Niagara Falls?
Based on Niagara Falls’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.