Ogdensburg-Clayton Bicycling along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail


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bike map symbolsThe 48 miles along the Ogdensburg – Clayton segment of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail provides scenic views of the St. Lawrence River and views of islands as you enter the Thousand Islands region. Communities along the way include Morristown, Chippewa Bay, Schermerhorn Landing, Alexandria Bay and Fishers Landing.

Alexandria Bay - Boldt Castle

Alexandria Bay – Boldt Castle

See the Great Lakes Seaway Trail website for all the details about this exciting National Scenic Byway, selected as one of America’s Byways by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Seaway Trail Bicycling Kit, available from the online catalog of Great Lakes Seaway Trails, is a valuable companion to any bike tour in this area. Developed by the Adventure Cycling Association, this 8-piece kit highlights the Seaway Trail Bicycle Route and includes a 111-page illustrated guidebook with six loop-tour brochures and a 20-by-26-inch map for biking Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The map includes turn-by-turn descriptions and highlights points of interest in four map sections covering the Great Lakes Seaway Trail from Massena to Oswego.

Road Biking Opportunities

Easy Ride – The Black Creek Bicycle Loop, one of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail bike loops, and is in the vicinity of  Chippewa Bay. This 21-mile loop can be split into two shorter loops using Route 37 between Hammond and South Hammond, starting in Hammond, South Hammond or Chippewa Bay. You’ll travel through the South Hammond State Forest, a welcome rest stop for cyclists. Many of Hammond’s early settlers were stone masons, and a number of stone buildings have survived that are now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Moderate Ride –The Black Lake Bicycle Loop, one of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail bike loops in the vicinity of Odgensburg. The 22-mile loop winds through the open, gently rolling land of St. Lawrence County. This is an easy loop ride; you’ll find few elevation changes along the wooded creeks and marshes.  Starting in Ogdensburg or at Eel Weir State Park, you’ll find nice views of Black Lake and the Oswegatchie River, as well as of the St. Lawrence. You’ll pass Amish farms, maybe a horse-drawn buggy, and should find a fruit stand or two, along with a general store.

Training Ride – Clayton to Kingston via Howe Island, this 54-mile ride requires walking your bike over the Thousands Islands Bridge at Wellesley Island. The route along Thousand Islands Parkway in Ontario is narrow and bumpy in places. Howe Island is a good alternative route. Returning via the ferries serving Wolfe Island adds another 20 miles of biking, plus the ferry rides. Travel across the Canada – U.S. border REQUIRES a passport or similar ID. When estimating your travel time, factor in walking your bike over the bridge, and the ferry rides including possible wait times. also see St. Lawrence County Chamber for information on other rides

Clayton-Antique Boat Museum

Clayton-Antique Boat Museum

Family Rides & Mountain Biking

Family Ride – An enjoyable ride on wide tires is the Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail made up of two segments of the old Penn Central Railroad bed that have been converted to a dedicated pathway by the Thousand Islands Land Trust and their community partners. There is a total of 25 miles of rails-to-trails path in the area of Clayton, Orleans, Teresa, Redwood and Philadelphia. The two pathway segments meet south of Teresa and they can be accessed from several points. The surface is dirt and cinder, so wide tires are recommended.

Mountain Biking – Try the MacSherry Trial, east of Alexandria Bay, with 3- and 1.5-mile loops. Lots of interesting wildlife and nature-related areas of interest. Some sections are routed over old logging trails and have informational markers along the way. The entrance also has some informational signs and trail maps. This trail made possible by the Macsherry family and their friends. Located east of Alexandria Bay on Indian Point Road, just off Route 12. more info at NNY Trails
see alsoParks & Trails NY and 1000 Islands Land Trust

For the St. Lawrence River area, check out these other biking resources:

Not to Miss

  • Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg – Located near his birthplace in the Thousand Islands area of New York, the Frederic Remington Art Museum showcases the life and works of Frederic Remington. See oil paintings, bronze sculptures, watercolors, and drawings as well as personal artifacts. Open year-round.
  • Riverside Park in Ogdensburg, right on the St. Lawrence.
  • Antique Boat Museum, Clayton – A multiple-building museum located right on the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence River in the picturesque Clayton. The galleries are overflowing with unique and beautifully preserved examples of great North American watercraft. From May to October each year, the campus comes alive with boat shows, regattas, childrens’ activities, guided tours, boat-building classes and a wealth of other programs and events.
    also see Great Lakes Seaway Trail for many more points of interest along this route

Bike Events in the Area

  • Check the Events page on the Thousand Islands Land Trust website for dates of their annual guided bike tours on Wellesley Island and other rides in the Clayton – Alexandria Bay area; there are usually a few each summer.
    see the complete list of bike events for the region.

Bike Shops Nearby

Visitor Information

Check in with Chamber offices, bike shops and other sports shops in the area to get the latest information and review your route with someone knowledgeable of the area. When biking, dress for the weather and carry water, snacks, map, repair kit and cell phone. When biking in rural areas, services could be few and far between, and cell phone service may not always be available. See the Before You Ride notices in the bottom section of this website, as well as the Disclaimer notice.

Below are some of the sights along the way – scroll over an image to see its title, or click an image to enlarge it and then move through the entire gallery (from the gallery, click on one of the large images to return here, rather than using the back-button).

 

 

Warren County Bikeway Glens Falls Lake George Village