SARANAC LAKE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Seven Days of Portages and Quiet Water: Paddle the Adirondacks with St. Regis Canoe Outfitters
A seven-day rental program that supplies boats, PFDs, paddles and cartopping equipment and pairs expert safety briefings with a selection of canoe and kayak types suited to Adirondack lake-to-lake travel.
Seven Days of Portages and Quiet Water: Paddle the Adirondacks with St. Regis Canoe Outfitters.
This is a week of small lakes, narrow channels and the inevitable packsack shuffle between waters — a 7-day rental plan that lets you choose from lightweight Kevlar canoes, heavier T-Formex models, open pack boats and recreational kayaks while staff provide basic safety talks and paperwork to get you on the water with confidence.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Boat choices tuned to how you plan to travel
Options range from lightweight Kevlar canoes recommended for overnight, portage-heavy lake-to-lake trips; durable but heavier T-Formex canoes suited to moving water and obstacle-prone stretches; open pack boats for solo paddlers who need easy portaging; and recreational kayaks primarily for day trips or selective overnights.
Safety briefings and inclusive equipment
Every renter must sign required paperwork and attend a basic safety talk delivered by staff; rentals include boats, paddling equipment and cartopping gear so you leave well equipped and briefed.
Adirondack lake-to-lake travel with portages and obstacles
Expect routes that commonly require portaging between lakes and occasional moving-water or obstacle encounters — factors that should shape your choice of boat and packing strategy.
What the day feels like
What a week on these waters feels like
Seven days here is a steady rhythm of paddling, scouting short carries and resetting at quiet campsites — the kit you choose determines how much of that rhythm is effortless. With staff-led safety talks and equipment provided, the focus becomes the water and the portages rather than logistics.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this weeklong rental suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This rental program is for 7 days; rentals are measured by calendar day rather than a 24-hour period.
Each rental includes boat(s), paddling equipment (paddles and PFDs), and cartopping equipment.
Choose Kevlar for lake-to-lake and portage-heavy overnights, T-Formex for durability in moving water or obstacle-prone stretches, pack boats for solo portage ease, and recreational kayaks primarily for day trips.
All users must sign a release of liability, participate in a basic safety talk provided by staff, and the person holding the reservation must read and sign the damage and return policy document.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the rental period?
The rental is for 7 days and rentals are counted by calendar day rather than a 24-hour period.
What equipment comes with the rental?
Each rental includes boat(s), paddling equipment (paddles and PFDs) and cartopping equipment.
Do I need to attend a safety briefing?
Yes. Every person who will be using a boat is required to participate in a basic safety talk provided by staff and to sign a release of liability.
Which boat should I choose for overnight trips with portages?
Kevlar canoes are suggested for most overnight trips with portages; pack boats are a lightweight solo option. Recreational kayaks are generally only recommended for day trips or very specific overnights due to limited storage and the difficulty of portaging them.
Are all pack boats the same?
No. Some models (for example, the Wee Lassies) have lower weight capacities than other pack-boat makers such as Placid Boatworks, so check capacity when choosing a pack boat.
Is T-Formex a good economical choice?
T-Formex is a durable, more budget-friendly option but is heavier and not recommended for long portages; it’s useful if you expect moving water or obstacles.