Deowongo Island, Blueway Trail, Canadarago Lake
Activities: Hiking, paddling
Location: Deowongo Island, Canadarago Lake, Richfield Springs
Difficulty: Easy Hiking, Easy-Moderate Paddling
Distance Hiking: 1/2 Mile Loop
Distance Paddling: Canadarago Lake is 3.58 miles long with 10 miles of shoreline
Fee: No
Well known by locals and visitors, Deowongo Island is an iconic regional treasure that has a unique cultural and ecological history. It is the only island in Canadarago Lake, the second largest lake in the county. The island is accessible only by boat and there is a public access boat launch, Canadarago Boat Launch. Once there, there is no public dock though paddlers may pull their crafts ashore and larger boats may anchor off shore. The water is shallow around the island. On land follow the loop trail from the kiosk.
Poison ivy is prevalent on the island so stay on the trails to avoid it.
For paddlers:
Oaks Creek drains from Canadarago, meandering approximately 15-miles to where it meets the Susquehanna River at Otsego Land Trust’s Compton Bridge Blueway Trail* access site.
Canoe, kayak & Stand-up paddleboard rentals nearby
*About the Blueway Trail:
Sites along the Blueway Trail of Oaks Creek occur from Canadarago Lake in Richfield Springs to Compton Bridge in Cooperstown. Depending on the water level in the creek you can paddle from Canadarago Lake down Oaks Creek to Compton Bridge. This would be a full day trip. The upper section of Oaks Creek is generally very calm, flat water while the lower half of the creek is more swift and “creek-like.” Be aware that water levels in the lower half may be too low for paddling during a majority of the summer months. Also be aware that this area is known for having a large number of natural hazards such as downed trees.
Other Amenities, Features, and Activities: information kiosk, map at trailhead, parking, dogs allowed, vistas, fall foliage, fishing, birding
Site Maintained by Otsego Land Trust
