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Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains.

Historic Champlain Canalway Trail, Town of Halfmoon, New York

The Town of Halfmoon manages a six-mile segment, bordered by farm fields, wetlands and wood lots, of the 58-mile Canalway Trail corridor, which runs along historic towpaths from Waterford to Whitehall.

photo of trail

Along the Historic Champlain Canalway Trail, Town of Halfmoon, NY

The Town of Halfmoon owns the Champlain Canalway Trail corridor within the Town. Approximately two miles of the trail is an improved, stone dust trail that is eight feet wide. Trailhead parking is available at the northern end of the improved trail segment. To the north and south of the improved segment are two-mile long segments of unimproved trail. The Town has plans to construct multi-use stone dust trail segments for the entire six miles of trail within Halfmoon.

Connections

Within the Town of Halfmoon, there are plans to connect the Historic Champlain Canalway Trail with three other trails. A portion of the Erie Canalway Trail lies within the southern portion of the Town. The Town’s Trails Master Plan and the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and GEIS designate a planned connection between these two trails.

The Town’s Trails and Comprehensive Plans also show connections for the Historic Champlain Canalway Trail with the Zim Smith trail, which is the major east-west, multi-use trial in the central part of Saratoga County. Saratoga Springs State Park is a destination made possible by the Champlain Canal Trail connection with the Zim Smith Trail.

photo of canal walls

Old Lock #7 on the Champlain Canal

The Town’s Trails and Comprehensive Plans show how the Champlain Canalway Trail will connect with the blueway trail of the Hudson River. This connection to the blueway trail is a short 1500 feet, and will connect the Champlain Canal Trail to a 3-acre park on the Hudson River. These connections do not yet exist, but it is highly likely that the connections will be made in the next three to five years.

Historic Features

The Town of Halfmoon segment of the Champlain Canalway Trail contains many historic aspects. Much of the original (1823), canal stonewalls remain and are visible. Old Lock #7 and Old Lock #8 of the Historic Champlain Canal have deteriorated very little over the last 185 years, with the entire stone masonry locks intact. Indeed, the location of the stone seat-beds for the lock gates are clearly visible details of the structures.

Also along the Town’s Champlain Canalway Trail is a well-preserved example of a waste, water weir. The waste, water weir is used to channel excess water from the canal during times of high water levels, such as the spring thaw or heavy rains. The waste water weir is a magnificent example of ingenious 19th century engineering, which relies on gravity to channel the excess water from the canal, since modern pumps and electricity were not available to perform the task. An additional feature of the 1823 Canal that remains in good condition is a stone arch culvert allowing McDonald Creek to flow below both the canal and the weir.

Cleanup and Restoration

photo of people by trail

River Walk volunteers work to remove debris from the river corridor

The users of the Champlain Canal Trail are drawn from a number of communities. The Halfmoon Trail segment connects two, established communities, namely the Village of Waterford and the City of Mechanicville. Thus, the Halfmoon segment of the Champlain Canal Trail serves not only Halfmoon residents, but also draws from these two neighboring communities. When the connection is made with the Hudson River blue trail, the Town expects blue trail users to also take advantage of the Champlain Canal Trail.

The Champlain Canal Trail is used by visitors to the area, and will increasingly do so as the Trail is improved and as interpretive features are added. The Trail appeals to a broad range of persons with differing interests. The Trail appeals to bird watchers because of its rural setting and the vibrant eco-system. The Trail attracts people with an interest in history because of the intact portions of the Historic Champlain Canal. And of course, the Trail is a prime destination for health conscious recreation users, many of whom use the trail daily for walking, running and biking. In the winter, the Champlain Trail draws cross country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts.

For more information:

Town of Halfmoon
2 Halfmoon Town Plaza, Halfmoon, New York 12065
Website address: www.townofhalfmoon.org

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Featured National Recreation Trails

Historic Champlain Canalway Trail, Town of Halfmoon, New York