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.
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.