PADDLING ITINERARY
Otsego LakeBrookwood Point and Fish Road Launch
The crystal clear waters of Otsego Lake in Cooperstown, the headwaters of the Susquehanna River, offers a multitude of paddling options for all experience levels. Most lake paddlers put in and take out at the same location.
For the itinerary below, we have recommended a 5-6 mile loop that starts and ends at Brookwood Point and includes a short paddle down and back up the river.
A shorter paddle would be to launch from Brookwood and cross the lake to King Fisher Tower. Another option would be to launch from and take out at the Fish Road Launch and explore the south end of the lake and the Susquehanna River.
On the northeast end of the lake, approximately 7 miles from the Village of Cooperstown, the Glimmerglass State Park offers another access point and includes rentals, hiking trails, and camping.
WATERWAY: Otsego Lake
DIFFICULTY: Easy
MILEAGE: Varies
HAZARDS: Boats, Wind
ACCESS POINTS:
Fish Road Launch
Brookwood Point
- Starting at Brookwood Point, paddle south along the west shore of the Lake.
- About three-quarters of a mile down the lake, you will catch a glimpse of the Fenimore Art Museum and just beyond that the Cooperstown Country Club and then the Leatherstocking Golf Course. Further down in Blackbird Bay, you will pass the historic Otesaga Resort Hotel.
- Continuing along the shore just past Lake Front Park is the Fish Road Boat Launch, an alternative access site. You can take out here for an approximately 2-mile paddle or continue on for the full loop suggested below.
- Paddling Past the Fish Road launch, you will come to the headwaters of the Susquehanna River. As you make the turn into the river, Clinton’s Dam Historical Marker will be on the left bank and Council Rock Park will be on your right. A series of homes line the high bank past the park.
- Passing under the Main Street Bridge, a short distance further you’ll paddle through the center arch of the historic Fernleigh Estate Stone Bridge.
- Once you get to the other side of the bridge, you can see where Main Street crosses over the water. The Otsego Lake Dam, is just on the other side of that bridge, so turn around for an easy paddle back up the river to the lake.
- Entering back into the lake, follow the east (right) shoreline. The water is incredibly clear, so as you paddle, you will be able to see the rocky ledges of the lake’s bottom beneath you.
- Approximately 2 miles from the river, Point Judith is home to the 60-foot-tall Kingfisher Tower, Cooperstown’s most photographed landmark. Since the tower is on private property, you can only view the Gothic Revival structure from your boat.
- Brookwood Point is across the lake, and where you paddle back to for take out. This is approximately a 5.5- to 6-mile paddle, depending on your path along the lake and whether or not you decide to paddle the river.
- An alternative itinerary would be to launch from Fish Road Boat Launch, head directly to Kingfisher Tower and back. This paddle is approximately 4 miles.
ACCESS POINT 1:
Fish Road Launch
WATER TRAIL MILE: 454.24
WATERWAY: Otsego Lake
South Side
ADDRESS:
Fish Road
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Located in the Village of Cooperstown, this launch provides easy access to the south end of Otsego Lake. A short distance from the headwaters of the Susquehanna River, this launch is ideal for paddlers who want to put-in and take-out at the same location and explore Cooperstown. Nearby attractions include the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Farm and Country Village, Leatherstocking Golf Course, and historic Otesaga Resort. There are also many nearby dining and lodging options.
The wide gravel launch is located at the end of the parking lot between the marina docks. While there is parking for approximately 35 vehicles, spaces fill up quickly on weekends. Additional parking is available at the Trolley lot. Boats will be inspected prior to launch, so they must be clear of all vegetation. Lake Front Park is right next to the launch and has picnic tables, making it a great spot for lunch. Lake Front Restaurant and the Glimmerglass Tour Boat Company are located at the marina next door, and kayak rentals are available there.
Fish Road launch hours are 5:30 am – 7:30 pm
Paddlers should be aware of motorboats on the lake.
ACCESS POINT 2:
Brookwood Point
WATER TRAIL MILE: 455.8
WATERWAY: Otsego Lake
West Side
ADDRESS:
6000 State Highway 80
Cooperstown, NY 13326
https://otsegolandtrust.org/brookwood-gardens
Located on the west shore of Otsego Lake, Brookwood Point features an ADA-accessible trail and beach launch, with rentals through Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales. There is ample parking, about 750 feet from the launch, with accessible parking at the lower level, closer to the launch area and rental location.
Brookwood Point’s 22 acres of diverse ecosystems offers a unique array of experiences. An estate built in the early 1820s, Brookwood Point is home to a 100-year-old Italianate Renaissance Garden with a historic Garden House. The gardens, lake shore, creek, woods, and wetlands create a multitude of habitats for a variety of wildlife. Brookwood Point is dog-friendly, except in the formal gardens. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
This launch is ideal for paddlers who want to put-in and take-out at the same location. Paddlers should always wear PFDs and beware of motorboats on the lake.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
The Otesaga Resort and Hotel
Stay on the shores of Otsego Lake just steps away from the Village at our historic luxury hotel. Play golf and tennis. Go biking and swimming. Enjoy shopping and spa treatments. Discover an abundance of activities right here at our lakeside retreat. From outdoor adventures in nature to shopping and live entertainment—there's always something to do in Cooperstown.
Leatherstocking Golf Course
Tee off in a picturesque lakeside setting at Leatherstocking Golf Course, one of the most scenic and challenging resort golf courses in Upstate New York, or anywhere on the East Coast. Designed in 1909 by Devereux Emmet, this award-winning golf course features naturally contoured terrain that rolls along the postcard-perfect shores of Lake Otsego. The course is part of The Otesaga Resort Hotel and is located at the south end of the Lake.
Kingfisher Tower
This mini castle is one of Cooperstown’s most notable landmarks. Another project of Edward Clark, co-founder of the Singer Sewing Machine, the tower was built in 1869 to enhance the landscape and help provide jobs during an economic downturn. Made of stone, its small base measures 20 square feet. It has a towering pyramid-shaped roof, windows adorned with stained glass, and an armorial shield at its core. Though they do not remain today, the tower originally included a bridge and portcullis.