This is a popular and classic paddle starting from Lows Lower Dam and heading to Lows Lake. Improvements have been made in 2024 to the dam and to the parking area.

Paddling

From the lower dam, this 11-mile paddle to Lows Lake, with one short carry at the upper dam, traverses a beautiful narrow waterway. The wide expanse of Lows Lake then opens up with marshes to the south and a backdrop of rugged mountains to the north. Islands and bays provide refuge when it's windy. There are over 40 designated campsites. For the ambitious, a three-mile carry at the west end of the lake leads to the Upper Oswegatchie River. Your reward is huge white pines, vast wilderness, and an 18-mile downstream cruise to Inlet.

At the Upper Dam, there is a hike that paddlers can do on their way through that goes up to Lows Ridge.

How to get there

Primary public access to the area is by a short gravel road off State Route 421 to Lows Lower Dam, where a canoe may be launched. This road may be gated in the spring to protect it during frost-out. Alternate canoe access is available at Horseshoe Lake Outlet.