Find the Five Locks of Waterford
Waterford / Erie Canal, New York
Activity
Walking / Canal Engineering
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
3.5 mi round trip
Elevation gain
~170 ft
Duration
~2–3 hrs
Route
Out & back / canal-road & pedestrian route
The adventure
Follow the Waterford Flight from Lock E2 toward E6 and hunt down all five giant chambers that lift the Erie Canal roughly 169 feet in barely a mile and a half.
What you'll do
Start at Lock 2 State Canal Park in Waterford, then follow the route about 3.5 miles round trip. physically identify all five Waterford Flight locks
Expect roughly 170 ft of climbing along the way.
The story of the place
five consecutive locks raise/lower vessels between Hudson-level Waterford and the Mohawk River above Cohoes Falls
Waterford is the eastern gateway of the Erie Canal system
Once you're there
Begin at Lock 2 State Canal Park, using the designated public parking near the lock. Visit E2 first, then follow the public Waterford canal corridor toward the remaining flight.
Use the signed public road and pedestrian access around E3 and continue onto Flightlock Road for E4, E5 and E6. Stay in public viewing areas, behind safety railings and away from operating lock equipment.
Once you have physically reached and identified all five locks, retrace the public route toward Lock E2.
Don't miss
During navigation season, time your visit so you can watch a boat lock through. Seeing tens of feet of water level disappear or appear inside the chamber turns giant concrete boxes into very impressive machines.
Good to know
- Pets
- leashed and controlled
- Restrooms
- none at lock park areas; seasonal facilities available near Waterford Harbor Visitor Center
- Trail hours
- Canal Corporation trail segments dawn to dusk
- Canal property
- public recreational use free
- Navigation season2026
- May 15-October 14, conditions permitting
- Vehicles
- parts of Flightlock Road are shared with vehicle traffic
- Machinery
- active canal infrastructure during navigation season
- Lock chambers
- stay behind railings and at least 6 feet from chamber walls where required
- Dogs
- allowed-on-leash.
- FIVE GIANT STEPS
- Locks E2 through E6 form the Waterford Flight — five consecutive locks with a combined lift of roughly 169 feet.
- ENGINEERING IN A HURRY
- The entire flight is packed into only about 1.5 miles of canal.
- BUILT TO BE SEEN
- Lock 2 has a landscaped park and interpretive area, while Locks 4, 5 and 6 have public viewing/parking areas along Flightlock Road.
- PLAN THE PIT STOP
- There are no public restrooms at the lock park areas themselves. Use Waterford Harbor facilities when available before committing to the flight.
- THE LOCKS ARE FREE
- Canal Corporation trails and public property are free to use, and recreational lock passage is toll-free during the 2026 navigation season.
- Safety
- parts of Flightlock Road are shared with vehicle traffic. active canal infrastructure during navigation season. stay behind railings and at least 6 feet from chamber walls where required.
- Managed by
- New York State Canal Corporation.
Please respect the place
- Use designated public walking areas and Flightlock Road
- Stay behind lock safety railings
- Keep at least 6 feet from lock chamber walls where required
- Pets must remain leashed and under control
- Parking is limited to designated locations
- Do not enter Canal Corporation areas posted closed
Photos
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