One of The Lockport Tourism Pages
Lockport Town Nature Trails Lockport City Grant Wilderness Park Lockport Exercises
For those who like to walk and bike the Erie Barge Canal Corridor from The Locks in downtown Lockport east to Rochester provides a wonderful opportunity. The State has provided excellent trails on the north side of the canal suitable for walking for biking. (No motorized vehicles of any type permitted). The canal west of Lockport has not yet been developed in this respect but such work is in the planning stages and monies have been allocated.
For short distance walking and biking the strip (both sides of canal) along Market Street in Lowertown to Widewaters is ideal. The entire area is within the city and is considered relatively safe with neighboring houses and population immediately nearby. Lockport Police services are just minutes away if needed and can be accessed by cell telephone (full service digital and analog coverage is provided throughout Lockport City and Town). There are few reports of trouble along this popular route.
Entering Lockport City From The East Along The Canal Towpath
The camera is looking west into the city. The clean, paved
towpath trail seen here extends all way to the Locks in center city. Across the canal is
the Goehle
Widewaters Marina area. The marina is an excellent starting point for
long distance biking to the east. Camping is often permitted
adjacent to the Widewaters Drive In Restaurant, just ask at the restaurant. A
beautiful park, west of the Marina has great picnic facilities. There are many
places where a car can be publicly parked, free and relatively safely, while its occupants
take off on bike. There are several bridges along this strip so that crossing the
canal is easy and at short intervals.
This map is an overview of the canal route from Lockport to just past Albion, showing bridges. Although Lockport has by far the most off-trail attractions and services, you'll find stops at Medina and Albion to be worthwhile. The harbor district in Medina is especially nice with downtown shopping nearby as you depart the Towpath. The official state Canal Trail (public access) is shown in red on the north side of the canal. Public access is officially available also along the south bank of the canal but as a practical matter, much of this property infringes on private homes and lands. Fishing is popular on the banks of the canal all along the route.
Lockport City does not have any public campgrounds that the Lockport Home Page has been made aware of. The city does have, however, three excellent hotels/motels and a couple bed and breakfast establishments. Informal arrangements have been known to be made for camping adjacent to Widewaters Drive-In Restaurant on Lower Market Street. Inquire at the restaurant. Public camping facilities (not free) outside of Lockport include the State Park at Wilson, NY (Roosevelt Beach), Niagara Hartland Campgrounds on Hartland Road near Gasport, Niagara County Camping Resort on Wheeler Road in Newfane and Niagara's Lazy Lakes Camping Resort in Cambria. We have not been viewed any of these establishments (except the State Park) and do not make any recommendations. Contact the establishments directly for more information. Camping supplies can be purchased in Lockport.
The Towpath canal trail detailed above is an excellent bike route. Also, designated State Bike Route 5 passes through the area. On the map above it generally follows along Route 31 and 31A. Please follow proper bike rules of the road when on public highways without bike trails. On the Towpath and other multi-use trails, please provide right-of-way to foot traffic.
The canal Towpath is the most popular walking route in the city. Another desirable route is the downtown area including the canal district. Here you can walk to visit shops, refresh at restaurants, and visit several tourist attractions noted elsewhere in our Tourism Section. A self-guided walking tour of the historic canal district is provided by Riley's Way, a free booklet available at the Lockport Municipal Building at The Big Bridge. Another popular walking area on the South end of the city is around the Kenan Center and can include Kenan Gardens. Where available, walk on sidewalks, not in the street. If your dog is your companion, please observe the City Dog Ordinance and keep your pet on a short leash, and scoop up and carry away with you any mess left anywhere. The two nature parks in Lockport hyperlinked at the top of this page can be interesting spots to walk, too.
The Towpath again is the most popular route for joggers and runners in the city. Also, Outwater Park has possibilities. There is a world-class running track behind Emmet Belknap School on High Street.
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