Onondaga Creek is the main tributary to Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, New York. It begins 26 miles to Syracuse’s south in Tully, NY and runs northward through the Onondaga Nation, Syracuse’s Valley and Southside neighborhoods, downtown’s Armory Square and Franklin Square districts, and passing below the old bridge that once carried the Erie Canal before ultimately ending at Onondaga Lake.
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Boating: Canoe or Kayak
⚠ Boat safety for Onondaga Creek has important information to help plan a safe outing on Onondaga Creek.
Can anyone paddle down the creek? Yes! Onondaga Creek is open to safe recreational boating right in the city of Syracuse. Paddling on the creek combines a chance to enjoy local wildlife in a natural setting with historic tunnels and a unique view of downtown. The most common trips begin at Kelley Brother’s Park on Dorwin Ave, and go through downtown to end at Ollie’s Point in Franklin Square, passing underneath 34 different bridges along the way. At Ollie’s Point you’ll find a well-worn pathway between the Creekwalk and a flat section of shoreline where the creek is naturally shallow. This take-out spot provides both an easy exit from your canoe or kayak back to land, and easy access for vehicles to pick up boats.
For a longer trip, continue past Ollie’s Point all the way to the Inner Harbor at Bear Street. As of 2023, the City of Syracuse now maintains a public launch / take-out access point at the Bear Street Bridge, with free parking at the intersection of Bear and Van Rensselaer Streets. Please note: Approximately 350 feet beyond Ollie’s Point there is a concrete weir in the creek. Depending on the seasonal water depth, you’ll either need to hop out of your boat and portage around it, or ride over the drop, if you continue past the Ollie’s Point take-out.
Monitoring Creek Flow
The water depth and speed of Onondaga Creek can change suddenly and dramatically. Avoid boating Onondaga Creek when water is above the channel liner, within 24 hours of heavy rain, or if you think the water is moving too fast. The following resources are helpful for monitoring creek flow, especially around times of significant rainfall:
Dorwin Avenue Data
Spencer Street Data
Where is there public access to launch or take out a boat on Onondaga Creek?
We have found reliable access at the following four points along the creek, though it is important to confirm your take-out point is available before every trip. Because Onondaga Creek is channeled and fenced through the city, it can be difficult to safely enter or exit the water between Ballantyne Ave and West Genesee Street. When boating Onondaga Creek, you should plan to enter / exit the water before Ballantyne Ave or after Franklin Square. If you aren’t sure of your ability to safely and comfortably boat from Ballantyne to West Genesee (approx. 5 miles/90 minutes) skip the trip.
Kelley Brother’s Park: Dorwin Ave
Access to the creek can be found under the north / east side of the Dorwin Ave bridge. Be careful, as the limestone pathway can be quite slippery.
Meachem Fields: Seneca Turnpike
Look for the pavilion and creek overlook deck in the north / west corner of Meachem Fields where you will find two unlocked gates providing access to Onondaga Creek. The gate by the tennis courts provides the more gradual slope down to the shoreline.
Ollie’s Point: Spencer & Maltbie Streets, Franklin Square
Please note: Winter 2023-24 construction to replace the Creekwalk’s pedestrian bridge at Ollie’s Point has altered the shoreline. As of April 2024, newly added stones will prevent access to the water under the bridge. However, there is still good shoreline access a little further downstream along the western bank, which is still before the concrete weir. We hope to restore a pathway later this season.
Access is just beyond the pedestrian bridge that crosses the creek near Maltbie St in Franklin Square where you will find a well-traveled pathway through the grass.
Inner Harbor Boat Launch: Van Rensselaer & Bear Streets
The Inner Harbor Boat Launch is accessible from the Empire State Trail trailhead at Van Rensselaer and Bear Streets. This site has free public parking, accessible launch infrastructure, and a paved path between the parking lot and launch point.
Previewing a Creek Trip
Spoiler Alert! If you’d like a sneak-peek of the creek prior to grabbing a paddle and life-jacket (or you’d like to see the creek but are more of a land person), check out our 2018 trip down the creek:
Fishing
A variety of fish can be found in Onondaga Creek, including: sunfish, carp, smallmouth bass, brown trout, and rainbow trout. Fish frequently migrate to the creek from tributary streams as well as from Onondaga Lake, and can often be seen around the Inner Harbor. Fishing in Onondaga Creek is subject to New York State law.
While the waters of Onondaga Creek and Onondaga Lake are cleaner now than they have been in the last 50 years, please consult the NYS Department of Health for detailed information regarding safe fishing and consumption recommendations.
The Creekwalk
The Creekwalk is a 4.8 mile paved trail maintained by the City of Syracuse along Onondaga Creek. It begins in Kirk Park, traveling northward through Armory Square, downtown Syracuse, Franklin Square, and the Inner Harbor. The Creekwalk connects to the regional Empire State Trail at Hiawatha Street and Water Street.
The Creekwalk is paved and generally flat, offering a pleasant stroll through Syracuse with ample opportunities to enjoy views of the creek from one of the trail’s many benches. The Canalway Trail Partnership publishes additional trail maps, resources, and history for points of interest along the trail.
Creek Rats 
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