New York’s 524-mile canal system includes the Erie Canal and the Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca canals, inland waterways that pass through farmland, battlefields, canal towns, and wildlife preserves and can also be enjoyed along hundreds of miles of Canalway Trail, parks, and picnic areas. Known internationally as the most historically significant and influential canal system in North America, these canals form the path of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, which links past, present, and future through partnerships that preserve history, provide recreation and educational opportunities, foster economic revitalization, and improve quality of life. Designated by Congress, national heritage corridors are distinctive places that illustrate significant chapters in the American experience and depend on joint preservation efforts by governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals. Along this corridor, residents preserve the distinctive character of their communities, while cultural and natural resources enrich life through nearby opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and boating. The corridor also exists for the future, protecting environments, keeping traditions alive, and drawing on the leadership of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission with advice and support from the National Park Service and New York State.

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin

Photo: Bill Coughlin