PADDLING ITINERARY
Crumhorn Pond to Goodyear LakeSusquehanna State Forest to Silliman Cove
An easy paddle for all abilities, the river travels through natural tree-lined banks, until near Portlandville and Goodyear Lake, where it becomes more residential. At the start, the Crumhorn Pond is tucked away off the river, surrounded by the trees of the Susquehanna Forest, and is a great spot for fishing. As you get closer to Portlandville, the river becomes deeper and moves slower because of the dam at the end of Goodyear Lake.
There are two public access points where you can take out. The first in Portlandville is next to the outfitter Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales, which also has a dock and rentals if needed. The second access point is at the south end of Goodyear Lake near Silliman Cove, east of the dam. Both Portlandville and Goodyear Lake have accessible launches.
Because of the nearly undetectable current in this area, any of these three launches could also be used to paddle out and back from the same location. While it is possible to paddle upstream from Crumhorn Pond, in times of high water, it can be more difficult.
WATERWAY: Susquehanna River
DIFFICULTY: Easy
MILEAGE: 3.25 – 6 miles
HAZARDS: Colliers Dam
ACCESS POINTS:
Goodyear Lake / Silliman Cove NYS DEC Fishing Access
Portlandville NYS DEC Fishing Access
Crumhorn Pond / Susquehanna State Forest NYS DEC Fishing Access
- After entering the water at Crumhorn Pond, paddle toward the right to access the river, and then turn left to go downstream. This part of the paddle is very natural with several marshy areas just off the river channel. The river also meanders through the landscape with a few sharp turns.
- You will pass under a railroad bridge 1.7 miles from launch. The river has a few more gentle curves before you reach Portlandville.
- Another 1.4 miles further, just past the Route 35A bridge, you will see the docks at the outfitter Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales*. This is a great stop if you need gear. You can also rent kayaks and gear and paddle from here.
- Just beyond their dock is an inlet into the cove where the Portlandville NYS DEC Access is located. You can make a stop here to take a rest or take out or continue on.
- If you are bypassing the Portlandville launch, stay in the main channel of the river as you pass the Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales dock. This will take you toward the lake.
- When paddling in this area, there are several coves off the main channel. When you see the “Slow No Wake” sign, paddle to the left. On the water, it may look like you should go right, but if you do, you will end up in a dead end. If that happens, just turn around and head back toward the main channel. For those who are adventurous, you may want to explore these areas.
- As you paddle downriver, you will begin to see a lot of houses along the left shore and the river will become wider and deeper, eventually opening up into the river lake. On a windy day, the more open waters of the Lake can offer some resistance, but staying closer to the shoreline can mitigate that.
- If you hug the left bank or east shore and follow the contour of the land, you will make your way toward the Goodyear Lake/Silliman Cove take-out, at the south end of the lake. The launch area will be to the right of the narrow channel that leads to Silliman Cove. You can also explore the Cove and then paddle back out and head toward the launch.
- Be aware that paddling the right shore or west side will lead to the Colliers Dam at the far end of the Lake. You will see the floating rope warning you of the dam directly ahead of you. Steer clear and paddle left toward the southern shore of the lake. Follow it until you reach the Silliman Cover take out.
* Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales offers rentals and shuttle services to complete this and other paddles in the area. If you are looking for a shorter paddle, you can also rent, launch, and paddle from their dock to Goodyear Lake and back, making it a round trip. Because the current in this area is so slow, the paddle back is relatively easy.
ACCESS POINT 1:
Goodyear Lake / Silliman Cove NYS DEC Fishing Access
WATER TRAIL MILE: 430.2
WATERWAY: Susquehanna River
Left Side
ADDRESS:
172 Silliman Cove Road
Maryland, NY 12116
This launch is 6 miles from Crumhorn Pond and 2.5 miles from Portlandville. With a gravel hand launch and ADA-accessible launch on the floating dock, this launch is good for all paddling levels.
There is also a one-mile, out-and-back hiking trail from the launch area that leads to a pier and look out points with benches along the water, which are ideal for fishing are just taking in the sights. In the winter when conditions are right, this location is a popular access point for ice fishing.
To get to the launch area, take Route 35 to Silliman Cove Road. There is a NYS DEC sign at the road entrance. Follow Silliman Cove Road through a residential area to the launch area. There are two parking lots. The upper lot has space for 10 cars and the lower lot has space for 5 cars including one accessible space. There is also a portable toilet near the lower lot.
ACCESS POINT 2:
Portlandville NYS DEC Fishing Access
WATER TRAIL MILE: 432.62
WATERWAY: Susquehanna River
Right Side
ADDRESS:
Route 28
Portlandville, NY 13834
This access point is 3.25 miles from Crumhorn Pond. Just beyond the dock at Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales, there is an entrance to a small cove where this launch is located. It provides easy access on and off the water via shore, dock, and accessible launches.
Note that the parking area is very small and limited to a few cars.
If you are paddling from here to Goodyear Lake, once on the water paddle to the left to enter the river and continue to the right to head downriver toward the Lake. When paddling in this area, there are several coves off the main channel. When you see the “Slow No Wake” sign, paddle to the left. On the water, it may look like you should go right, but if you do, you will end up in a dead end. If that happens, just turn around and head back toward the main channel. For those who are adventurous, you may want to explore these areas.
Because the current is slow in this area, paddling back upstream is relatively easy so you can put-in and take-out at the same location.
ACCESS POINT 3:
Crumhorn Pond / Susquehanna State Forest NYS DEC Fishing Access
WATER TRAIL MILE: 436
WATERWAY: Susquehanna River
Left Side
ADDRESS:
Route 35
Maryland, NY 12116
From Route 35, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sign marks the entrance to a gravel road, leading to a parking area about 250 feet from the water. There is space for 12 vehicles, including trailers. This site provides easy access to the water from either the hard surface ramp or dock.
Located in the 423-acre Susquehanna State Forest, this site also includes an informational kiosk and picnic table. Fishing, hunting and trapping are permitted during their respective seasons. Hiking is also allowed on the property, but there are no designated trails. Visit NYS DEC for more information.
When launching, paddle to the right to access the Susquehanna River.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Collier's Dam
In the late 1800s, the land in this area was owned by the Goodyear family and their in-laws the Colliers. A small dam provided the power to run a local grist and sawmill.
Between 1905 and 1907, they built the current dam to increase waterpower and generate electricity to run a trolley from Oneonta through Cooperstown and into the Mohawk Valley.
The trolley went out of business in the 1930s, and the dam was purchased by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG). In the 1960s, NYSEG wanted to tear it down. Several hundred homes had been built around the lake at that point (today, there are over 400), and the owners did not want the dam removed, because instead of lake frontage, they would have been living along a muddy expanse that would have taken many years for forest to reclaim. The homeowners sued, stopped the demolition, and purchased the dam for $25,000. Subsequent owners have improved the dam and sell power to NYSEG.
Susquehanna State Forest
This 423-acre park features access to the Susquehanna River from its launch at Crumhorn Pond. This is an excellent spot for anglers, providing opportunities to catch fish native to the Susquehanna such as, smallmouth bass, sunfish, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, carp and channel catfish. While hiking is allowed throughout the park, there are no designated trails. Be aware that hunting and trapping are allowed during the appropriate season and wildlife found here include deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, rabbits, squirrels, and coyotes. A variety of songbirds, as well as birds of prey, can also be found within the property.