Originally Posted by
ecnewell
Just moved back to Syracuse last summer, finally getting back out to enjoy some cycling. Just curious, are there camping locations along the Erie canal trail? Heading out for a few miles today while the weather is nice.
There are boater/biker camping facilities at the villages of Macedon(Lock 30), Middleport and Holley, right on the bank.
No showers were available at Macedon although that may have changed. The bathroom was pretty much a port-potty when I passed through.
The one in Middleport has a bathroom/shower facility built IIRC onto the back of the village police station. I saw it from outside but did not go in. The Towpath Cafe a half minute walk away is a nice place for breakfast or lunch.
I have camped at the facility at Holley. There is a pavilion right on the canal with showers. The facility is kept locked, and one must walk over to the control tower for the adjacent lift bridge (maybe 75 yards?) and the bridge operator will provide the combination. When I've used it, it was impeccably clean. The village itself and its services are about 200 yards away. It's a good place to stop.
First pic is the canal somewhere near Middleport. Most of it looks like this in western NY.
#2 is the control panel for the lift bridge at Holley, that the friendly bridge operator was kind enough to show me.
#3 was my campsite at Holley.