90-Minute Mohawk Valley Lock 18 Cruise
Sightseeing Cruise, 90 minutes on the water with Erie Canal Cruises.
Check availability
Erie Canal Boat Tours: Lock Cruises And Canal Boat Rentals
Twelve cruises and rental canal boats, sorted by region and trip type.
- $26lowest per-person from-price on the roster
- 338 milesErie Canal length today · Waterford to Lake Erie; the original 1825 canal was 363 miles
- 49.1 feetLockport locks lift · Locks E35 24.6 ft plus E34 24.5 ft, replacing five original locks
- May 15 to Oct 142026 navigation season · the 202nd consecutive year of travel on the canals
Erie Canal Cruises Sightseeing Cruise Aboard Lil' Diamond II
from $29 per adult
Check Price & Availability →Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site.
- Duration
- 90 minutes
- Meets
- 800 Mohawk St, Herkimer NY 13350
- Run by
- Erie Canal Cruises
Erie Canal Boat Tours: Numbers To Know
35
Locks on the Erie Canal · 57 across the whole NYS canal system
571 feet
Climb, Albany to Buffalo · the elevation change the locks absorb
1825
Opened · after eight years of construction
4 ft x 40 ft
Original canal size · today 12 to 23 ft deep and 120 to 200 ft wide
310 feet
Lock chamber length today · the original locks were 90 ft long
None
Recreational tolls in 2026 · no fees on the canal system this year
360.3 miles
Erie Canalway Trail · Buffalo to Albany, mostly paved and level
$26 to $46
Cruise fares, 2026 adults · Lockport $26, Herkimer $29, Sam Patch $30, Colonial Belle $36 to $46
Erie Canal Boat Tours By Trip Type
Lockport & Mohawk Valley
2-Hour Lockport Double Locks Cruise
Regularly Scheduled Public Cruises, about two hours through the locks with Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises.
Check availabilityRochester Area
90-Minute Pittsford Lock 32 Cruise
Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise, a 90 minute trip from Rochester By Water.
Check availability
Lock 32 Cruise With Lunch
Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise, 90 minutes with Rochester By Water in Pittsford.
Check availability
2-Hour Fairport Cruise, No Lock
Tuesday to Saturday Afternoon Cruise, a 2 hour trip with Colonial Belle.
Check availabilityBoat Rentals
34-Foot Lockmaster, 3 Nights
Lockmaster 34 Foot, a rental for 3, 4 or 7 nights with Erie Canal Adventures.
Check availability
41-Foot Lockmaster, 3 Nights
Lockmaster 41 & 42 Foot, boat rentals for 3, 4 or 7 nights with Erie Canal Adventures.
Check availability
The Harriet, Queen Bed, 3 Nights
Rent The Harriet from Erie Canal Adventures for 3, 4 or 7 nights.
Check availabilityWhich Of The Erie Canal Boat Tours Is Right For You?
A starting shortlist of the best-reviewed options. Tap an answer below and it rebuilds for you.
Show the remaining trips
Erie Canal Boat Tours Compared
Show
Sort by
All 12 tours, most reviewed first. Tap a sort chip twice to flip the order.
| Tour | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90-Minute Mohawk Valley Lock 18 CruiseErie Canal Cruises | 90 minutes | Gems Along the Mohawk (800 Mohawk St, Herkimer) | $29 | ★ 4.81,633 reviews | Check availability |
| 2-Hour Lockport Double Locks CruiseLockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises | About 2 hours | Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) | $26 | ★ 4.8865 reviews | Check availability |
| 90-Minute Pittsford Lock 32 CruiseRochester By Water | 90 minutes | Sam Patch Dock, 12 Schoen Place (Pittsford) | $30 | ★ 4.4180 reviews | Check availability |
| Lock 32 Cruise With LunchRochester By Water | 90 minutes | Sam Patch Dock, 12 Schoen Place (Pittsford) | $53 | ★ 4.4180 reviews | Check availability |
| 2-Hour Fairport Cruise, No LockColonial Belle | 2 hours | Packett's Landing (Fairport) | $36 | ★ 4.253 reviews | Check availability |
| 3-Hour Fairport Cruise Through A LockColonial Belle | 3 hours | Packett's Landing (Fairport) | $44 | ★ 4.253 reviews | Check availability |
| 3-Hour Fairport Evening Lock CruiseColonial Belle | 3 hours | Packett's Landing (Fairport) | $46 | ★ 4.253 reviews | Check availability |
| 2-Hour Fairport Sunday Brunch CruiseColonial Belle | 2 hours | Packett's Landing (Fairport) | $66 | ★ 4.253 reviews | Check availability |
| 34-Foot Lockmaster, 3 NightsErie Canal Adventures | 3, 4 or 7 nights | Erie Canal Adventures (1125 Marina Parkway, Macedon) | $2,770 | ★ 4.936 reviews | Check availability |
| 41-Foot Lockmaster, 3 NightsErie Canal Adventures | 3, 4 or 7 nights | Erie Canal Adventures (1125 Marina Parkway, Macedon) | $3,299 | ★ 4.936 reviews | Check availability |
| The Harriet, Queen Bed, 3 NightsErie Canal Adventures | 3, 4 or 7 nights | Erie Canal Adventures (1125 Marina Parkway, Macedon) | $3,399 | ★ 4.936 reviews | Check availability |
| 90-Minute Rochester Genesee River And Canal CruiseRochester By Water | 90 minutes | Riverie Dock, 280 Exchange Blvd (Rochester) | $30 | No reviews yet | Check availability |
| No tours fit those filters. Clear the duration setting or choose another category and the full list of canal cruises returns. | |||||
The Best Month For Erie Canal Boat Tours
Canal Status
Public Cruises
What To Know
Canal Status (2026)OpenPeakPeakPeakPeakOpen
- Reported or just starting
- Present
- Building or consistent
- Common or peak
- Not named
- This month
January
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Navigation season opens May 15
February
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Navigation season opens May 15
March
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Navigation season opens May 15
April
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Navigation season opens May 15
May
Canal Status: Open Public Cruises: Starting What To Know: Canal opens May 15; Herkimer from May 22; Lockport public cruises from May 11
June
Canal Status: Peak Public Cruises: All four towns What To Know: Extended lock hours at select locks (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.)
July
Canal Status: Peak Public Cruises: All four towns What To Know: Extended lock hours at select locks
August
Canal Status: Peak Public Cruises: All four towns What To Know: Extended lock hours at select locks
September
Canal Status: Peak Public Cruises: All four towns What To Know: Extended lock hours end early in the month; standard 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. after
October
Canal Status: Open Public Cruises: Closing What To Know: Canal closes October 14, 2026; Herkimer cruises to October 12
November
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Canal closed since October 14
December
Canal Status: Off season Public Cruises: None What To Know: Canal closed
Open the month by month table
| Month | Canal Status (2026) | Public Cruises | What To Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Off season | None | Navigation season opens May 15 |
| February | Off season | None | Navigation season opens May 15 |
| March | Off season | None | Navigation season opens May 15 |
| April | Off season | None | Navigation season opens May 15 |
| May | Open | Starting | Canal opens May 15; Herkimer from May 22; Lockport public cruises from May 11 |
| June | Peak | All four towns | Extended lock hours at select locks (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) |
| July | Peak | All four towns | Extended lock hours at select locks |
| August | Peak | All four towns | Extended lock hours at select locks |
| September | Peak | All four towns | Extended lock hours end early in the month; standard 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. after |
| October | Open | Closing | Canal closes October 14, 2026; Herkimer cruises to October 12 |
| November | Off season | None | Canal closed since October 14 |
| December | Off season | None | Canal closed |
Lock Cruise, Brunch Sail Or Boat Rental: Erie Canal Boat Tours Side By Side
| Lockport Locks | Herkimer | Pittsford (Sam Patch) | Fairport (Colonial Belle) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dock | 210 Market St, Lockport | 800 Mohawk St (Gems Along the Mohawk) | 12 Schoen Place | Packett's Landing |
| Passes through a lock | Yes, Locks 34 and 35 | Yes, Lock 18 (about 20 ft drop) | Yes, Lock 32 | Lock cruises yes, 2-hour cruise no |
| How long | About 2 hours | 90 minutes | 90 minutes | 2 to 3 hours |
| Adult fare, 2026 | $26 | $29 | $30 | $36 to $46 |
| Boat | Lockview IV (48) or V (125) | Lil' Diamond II | Sam Patch, replica packet boat | Colonial Belle, 149 passengers |
| Booking | Operator request form or phone | Online, real-time | Online | Online |
Where Erie Canal Boat Tours Depart: Lockport To Herkimer
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Departure Docks
- Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport)Departure Docks
- Gems Along the Mohawk (800 Mohawk St, Herkimer)Departure Docks · 300 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Sam Patch Dock, 12 Schoen Place (Pittsford)Departure Docks · 96 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Packett's Landing (Fairport)Departure Docks · 101 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Riverie Dock, 280 Exchange Blvd (Rochester)Departure Docks · 87 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Erie Canal Adventures (1125 Marina Parkway, Macedon)Departure Docks · 111 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Lock 32 (Pittsford)Locks · 96 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Erie Canal Discovery Center (24 Church St, Lockport)On The Canal · 770 m from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Fairport Lift BridgeOn The Canal · 101 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Canalside (Buffalo)On The Canal · 37 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Mabee Farm Historic Site (Rotterdam Junction)On The Canal · 380 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
- Erie Canal Museum (318 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse)Museums · 207 km from Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises Dock (210 Market St, Lockport) in a straight line
What Passengers Say About Erie Canal Boat Tours
Traveler reviews are published by the tour operators on their own websites and shown here verbatim. We do not collect or edit them, and they are not independently verified.
“Travelling up the locks and then back along the Erie Canal provided just the right duration to ENJOY the views.”
“Just thought I'd let you know that we went on our cruise today and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Loved the history and the humor.”
“The family and I had a great time today! Perfect day, friendly staff, and clean facilities and grounds!”
“I just wanted to thank you and the cruise team for a wonderful and educational experience on our canal cruise.”
Where To Stay Near Erie Canal Boat Tours
Lockport Inn & Suites
South Transit Street, Lockport
Check ratesHampton Inn Lockport - Buffalo
Transit Road, Lockport
Check ratesSpark by Hilton Lockport
South Transit Street, Lockport
Check ratesErie Canal Boat Tours Questions Answered
How do I book an Erie Canal boat tour, and does the listing open the operator's own booking page?
Every booking goes through the operator's own site rather than a reseller. Picking a tour card opens that operator's live booking page, where you pick a date, check real availability and pay the operator directly, so the price and cancellation terms shown there are the final ones.
When do Erie Canal boat tours run? The season runs from May into October, while the navigation locks are open.
The navigation season runs May into October, and every cruise listed here sits inside that window. Lockport's 2026 dates span May 11 to October 16, Herkimer's span May 22 to October 12, and both run less often in the shoulder weeks.
Which cruises pass through a lock? The Lockport cruise, the Lock 32 cruises in Pittsford and the Herkimer cruise all do.
Lock travel is the draw at Lockport, where the listed cruise goes through the double locks. Pittsford's Lock 32 cruises from Rochester By Water pass through Lock 32 itself, and Herkimer's sightseeing cruise also works the locks on its route.
How much does a cruise cost? Prices live on each operator's booking page, and the operator's page is always the final word.
Adult tickets run $26 at Lockport and $29 at Herkimer, with children at $12.50 for ages 4 to 10 and $20 for ages 4 to 12 respectively. Rentals and cruises with a meal are priced on the operator's own booking page, and those listed figures govern what you pay.
Can I rent a boat and travel the canal myself? Yes, Erie Canal Adventures charters self-skippered Lockmaster canal boats by the night.
Erie Canal Adventures rents self-skippered Lockmaster boats in 34, 41 and 42 foot lengths, plus The Harriet, for 3, 4 or 7 nights on the canal. You set the route and pace yourself, tying up at towns along the way.
Are there cruises with meals? Yes, a lunch cruise in Pittsford and a Sunday brunch cruise out of Fairport.
Meal-based trips are scarce here, with just two on the roster. Rochester By Water combines lunch with its Lock 32 cruise from Pittsford, and Colonial Belle serves Sunday brunch on its Fairport departures.
Guides And Answers Before You Book
Guides
Best Time To Go
Canal Boat Rental
Canal History
Canal Length
Colonial Belle Fairport
Cruise Prices
Erie Canal Cruises
Erie Canal Locks
Erie Canal Museum
Free Canal Activities
Herkimer Canal Cruise
Kayak Versus Cruise
Lock Cruise Picks
Lockport Locks Cruise
Meal Cruises Guide
Riverie Cruise
Rochester Area Cruises
Sam Patch Pittsford
Trail And Bike Guide