Seaway Trail follows the shoreline of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario as it travels from southwest New York to Rooseveltown. The byway is 454 miles long and follows a series of two-lane paved roads that are suitable for all types of vehicles. For detailed directions, please refer to "Following the Seaway Trail" below. The byway is open year-round.

Seaway Trail travels along the shores of New York's Great Lakes, the Niagara River, and Saint Lawrence River, connecting quaint villages, historic sites, picturesque bays, and rolling farmland. The route is part of the National Park Service's National Recreational Trail system and is the longest such trail in the United States. Several scenic overlooks offer spectacular views of the Great Lakes.

Southwest Seaway Trail

Northeast Seaway Trail

During the months of September and October, the Seaway Trail is ablaze with fall colors of red, orange, and gold. Fall foliage tours can be taken by car, boat, floatplane, and train. Farmer's markets and roadside stands offer autumn's harvest of fruits and vegetables, or you may desire to pick your own.

The winter months bring cross-country skiers and snowmobilers to the trail. Miles of well groomed trails are found all along the route. Niagara Falls celebrates the season with its Festival of Lights illuminating the majestic waterfalls. In February, visitors can enjoy a frosty hot air balloon ride at the Thousand Island Winter Balloon Festival in Clayton. Farther north along the trail, the Ogensburg "River Shiver" reenacts its War of 1812 battle history.

Fishing opportunities are plentiful along the scenic drive. Both warm and cold-water fish make their home along the Seaway Trail. Fishermen will find bass, walleye, muskellunge, Atlantic and Pacific salmon, brown and rainbow trout, northern pike, and a variety of exotic species. Guides are available for hire that will take you on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario.

For those interested in camping, many state parks and privately owned campgrounds along the byway can accommodate all types of camping interests: tents, recreational vehicles, cottages, and cabins. New York's state parks also offer hiking trails and picnic areas in addition to fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Some state parks offer interpretive sites of historic significance. History buffs will find 42 historical markers along the route providing information of events that occurred along the trail in the War of 1812. Historic lighthouses can also be found.

Information: NYS Seaway Trail Inc, PO Box 660, Sackets Harbor NY 13685 / 800-SEAWAY-T. Lake Erie Sp, RD1, Brocton NY 14716 / 716-792-9214. Evangola SP, 10191 Old Lake Shore Rd, Irving NY 14081 / 716-549-1802. Four Mile Creek SP, Lake Rd, Youngstown NY 14174 / 716-745-3802. Golden Hill SP, 9691 Lower Lake Rd, Barker NY 14102 / 716-795-3885. Lakeside Beach SP, Rt 18, Waterport NY 14571 / 716-682-4888. Hamlin Beach SP, 1 Camp Rd, Hamlin NY 14464 / 716-964-2462. Fair Haven Beach SP, PO Box 16, Fair Haven NY 13064 / 315-947-5205. Selkirk Shores SP, 7101 SR 3, Pulaski NY 13142 / 315-298-5737. Southwick Beach SP, 8119 Southwicks Pl, Henderson NY 13650 / 315-846-5338. Westcott Beach SP, PO Box 339, Sackets Harbor NY 13685 / 315-646-2239. Long Point SP, 4459 Rt 430, Bemus Point NY 14712 / 716-386-2722. Burnham Point SP, 340765 NYS Rt 12E, Cape Vincent NY 13618 / 315-654-2522. Cedar Point SP, 36661 Cedar Point State Park Dr, Clayton NY 13624 / 315-654-2522. Keewaydin SP, PO Box 247, Alexandria Bay NY 13607 / 315-482-3331. Jacques Cartier SP, PO Box 380, Morristown NY 13664 / 315-375-6371. Coles Creek SP, PO Box 442, Waddington NY 13694 / 315-388-5636.

Following the Seaway Trail

Beginning at the Pennsylvania and New York state line near Ripley, the Seaway Trail follows NY 5 in a northeasterly direction toward the village of Silver Creek, to a point where NY 5 merges with US 20. Continue along NY 5 and US 20 to the community of Irving, where the trail leaves the highway and follows Old Lake Shore Road to the community of Wanakah.

In Wanakah, the byway picks up NY 5 again and continues to Lackawanna. In Lackawanna, follow Buffalo Skyway to the Delaware Avenue exit in Buffalo. Follow Delaware Avenue to Niagara Square. Go around Niagara Square to Niagara Street and follow Nigara Street to River Road.

The byway continues along River Road through the cities of Tonawanda and North Tonawanda to Buffalo Avenue. Follow Buffalo Avenue to the Robert Moses State Parkway. Follow the parkway to the Quay Street exit in Niagara Falls. Follow Quay Street to Rainbow Boulevard and turn left. Rainbow Boulevard is also NY 384. Follow NY 384 to Niagara Street and turn left.

Continue on Niagara Street until you reach Rainbow Bridge. Near Rainbow Bridge, follow NY 104E north to Lewiston and the intersection with NY 18F. Follow NY 18F north through Youngstown until it intersects with NY 18. Follow NY 18 through Roosevelt Beach, Olcott, Ashwood, and Kuckville.

Near Lakeside Beach State Park, the byway leaves NY 18 and follows Lake Ontario State Parkway. Follow the parkway to Irondequoit and Stutson Street. Follow Stutson Street to Saint Paul Boulevard and turn right and then left on Lake Shore Boulevard. Follow Lake Shore Boulevard east to Culver Road and turn right. Follow Culver Road to Empire Boulevard (NY 104) and turn left. Follow NY 104 east to Bay Road and turn left. Follow Bay Road north to Lake Road. Turn right and follow Lake Road east through Pultneyville to Sodus Point.

In Sodus Point, the byway travels south on NY 14 to Alton, where it intersects with Ridge Road. Follow Ridge Road through Resort and Wolcott, where you'll pick up Old Ridge Road and follow it to Red Creek and NY 104A. The Seaway Trail continues north on NY 104A through Fair Haven, Sterling, Southwest Oswego, and Oswego, where it then follows NY 104. Follow NY 104 through the community of Scriba to NY 104B and travel north through Texas to the intersection with NY 3.

Travel north on NY 3 to Baggs Corner and NY 180. Follow NY 180 north through Dexter to NY 12E at Limerick. Follow NY 12E west through Chaumont to Cape Vincent, where the highway then travels east along the Saint Lawrence River. Continue heading east on NY 12E to Clayton and the intersection with NY 12.

In Clayton, travel northeast on NY 12 through Alexandria Bay, Chippewa Bay, and Oak Point to Morristown. Near Morristown, the Seaway Trail picks up NY 37. Follow NY 37 to Ogdensburg.

In Ogdensburg, the byway follows NY 124 onto the state arterial, north on State Street, and east on Washington Street to North Rossell Street. Turn right and follow North Rossell Street to Fort Street and turn left. Follow Ford Street to Proctor Avenue and turn left. Follow Proctor Avenue to NY 812 and follow it south to NY 37.

Once you're back on NY 37, head northeast through Waddington to NY 131. Follow NY 131 until it rejoins NY 37. Travel east on NY 37 to the byway's end in Rooseveltown at the International Bridge.