Recreational Pass Information

WELCOME TO THE NEW YORK STATE CANAL SYSTEM

Comprised of four waterways – the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca canals – the historic New York State Canal System spans across New York State and links together the Hudson River with Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, the Niagara River and hundreds of communities rich in history and culture.

As the Canal System winds its way through much of upstate New York, it offers more than 524 miles of meandering waterways, five pristine lakes, more than 270 miles of Canalway Trail, and nearly 300 charming, quaint villages to be explored. Recognized as a National Heritage Area, the Canal System of yesterday helped to shape the birth of our young nation and today is thriving as visitors from around the world discover all it has to offer.

The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority, is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and promotion of the New York State Canal System. 

This booklet contains information about the Canal Recreational Pass Program including fee schedules, information about each type of Pass, how to purchase a Pass, a list of sales locations and rules for usage. 

For more information on the New York State Canal System and the Canal Corporation, please visit: www.canals.ny.gov.
 

OPERATIONAL SCHEDULE

The Canal System is typically open for navigation from May 1 through November 15 each year. For exact dates and hours of operation, please refer to the Canal website www.canals.ny.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

Note: The hours and dates of operation are dependent upon weather conditions and subject to change.

RECREATIONAL PASS FEE SCHEDULE

All motorized recreational vessels passing through any lock or lift bridge on the Canal System must purchase either a Seasonal Pass, a Ten-Day Pass or a Two-Day Pass. The fee schedule is as follows:

RECREATIONAL PASS FEE SCHEDULE

Vessel Length*	Seasonal Pass Fee	Ten-Day Pass Fee	Two-Day Pass Fee
Under 16 ft.	$25.00	$12.50	$5.00
16 ft. – Under 26 ft.	$50.00	$25.00	$10.00
26 ft. – 39 ft.	$75.00	$37.50	$15.00
Over 39 ft.	$100.00	$50.00	$20.00

*Note: The length of the vessel should be noted on your boat registration. If not, the vessel is measured from the bow to the stern at the top of the hull.

SEASONAL PASSES

PURCHASE OF A SEASONAL PASS

Seasonal Passes are designed for boaters who frequently use the Canal System. Seasonal Passes are issued to a specific vessel for use by that vessel only and are valid for the entire current navigational season. Seasonal Passes also provide unlimited travel for the duration of the current navigational season.

Eligibility
To be eligible for a Seasonal Pass, the vessel must be motorized and registered as a recreational vessel by the appropriate state, provincial or national agency.

Purchase
If purchasing a Seasonal Pass in person, you must present your original vessel registration, completed Recreational Vessel Pass Application (TA-W99115) and appropriate Pass fee at the time of the sale. Passes are available for in-person purchase at a number of sales locations which are listed later in this booklet.

If you wish to purchase a Seasonal Pass by mail, you must send a copy of the vessel registration along with the completed Application and appropriate Pass fee. Applications submitted by mail will be processed at the address listed on the back cover of this booklet.

For additional information, or to download an Application, please visit: www.canals.ny.gov.

Payment
If purchasing a Seasonal Pass in person, payment can be made using cash, check or money order. Credit cards are not accepted at lock sales locations.

If purchasing a Seasonal Pass via mail, payment can be made using credit card, check or money order. 

All checks submitted at Canal Corporation locations must be made payable to the “New York State Canal Corporation” and must have the name of the bank preprinted on the check. If the bank name is not on the check, it will not be accepted unless it is a certified cashier’s check. Customers presenting personal checks must provide adequate personal identification, such as a driver’s license. Personal checks must also include the customer’s telephone number, vessel registration number, and be appropriately signed. If the fee is paid by check or money order, it must be written in U.S. currency. Travelers checks will be accepted at Canal Corporation sale locations depending upon the availability of change at the location. 

Checks submitted to authorized Canal Pass agents (other than Canal Corporation locations) are to be made payable to the agent’s business, not the Canal Corporation.

If the fee is paid in cash using Canadian currency, the transaction will be conducted at the posted discount rate.

Refund
The Seasonal Pass fee shall not be refunded after the opening of the navigational season.

USE OF A SEASONAL PASS

Conditions
Seasonal Passes, which are issued to boaters in the form of two decals, are valid for use only at New York State Canal Corporation locks/lift bridges by the recreational vessel to which it is issued and whose registration number has been placed on the face of both decals.

The decals must be properly placed on the bottom right and left corners of the front windshield of the vessel or, if the vessel has no windshield, then in line with and three (3) inches after the Department of Motor Vehicles Registration decals on the port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the hull of the vessel. The Seasonal Pass will not be honored until both decals are affixed to the vessel.

Valid Time Period
The Seasonal Pass is valid only for the current navigational season which generally opens May 1 and ends November 15 (weather permitting). Both Pass decals must be removed or otherwise made unusable once the navigational season has ended.

REPLACEMENT OF PASS DECALS

Eligibility for Replacement
The decals may be replaced due to loss, mutilation or destruction only once during the navigational season. If one decal is reported lost, stolen or mutilated, both decals will be required to be replaced. The cost of replacement is $10 (U.S. funds).

Instructions for Replacement
Replacement requests must be submitted in writing to the New York State Canal Corporation. In your correspondence include the following:

• A new completed Recreational Vessel Pass Application (TA-W99115);
• A statement explaining the reason for replacement (include both Pass decals, pieces if torn or mutilated);
• A copy of your vessel registration; and
• A check or money order made payable to the “New York State Canal Corporation” in the amount of the replacement fee of $10 (U.S. funds).

Send all correspondence to:

• A completed Recreational Vessel Pass Application (TA‑W99115) for the successor vessel;
• A statement explaining the reason for replacement;
• A copy of the successor vessel registration; and
• A check or money order made payable to the “New York State Canal Corporation” in the amount of the transfer fee of $10 (U.S. funds; plus the difference between the old and new seasonal Pass fees, if transferring to a larger category vessel).

Note: No refund or credit is allowed for transfer of the Seasonal Pass to a smaller category vessel.

Send all replacement/transfer correspondence to:

TEN-DAY AND TWO-DAY PASSES

PURCHASE OF TEN-DAY AND TWO-DAY PASSES

USE OF TEN-DAY AND TWO-DAY PASSES

Conditions
The Ten-Day and Two-Day Passes are valid for use only at New York State Canal Corporation locks/lift bridges by the recreational vessel to which it is issued.

The Ten-Day and Two-Day Passes must be retained and kept in a secure area on the vessel while traveling through the Canal System. The Pass must be handed to the Lock Operator at each lock/lift bridge for processing when requesting passage.

Valid Time Period
The Ten-Day Pass is valid for ten consecutive days: the day it is first presented and the next nine calendar days. The Expiration Date is noted on the Pass. The Pass must be used during the current navigational season. Any Pass unused at the end of the navigational season will not be refunded nor honored in the next season.

The Two-Day Pass is valid for two consecutive days: the day it is first presented and the next calendar day. The Expiration Date is noted on the Pass. The Pass must be used during the current navigational season. Any Pass unused at the end of the navigational season will not be refunded nor honored the next season.

For additional information, or to download an Application online, please visit: www.canals.ny.gov.
 

RECREATIONAL PASS SALES LOCATIONS

New York State Canal System Seasonal, Ten-Day and Two-Day Passes are available for in-person purchase at a number of sales locations:

• Designated Canal System locks;
• Canal Corporation Section Headquarters (between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.);
• NYS Canal Corporation Headquarters (between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.); and
• Designated vendors (Please contact vendor for hours of operation).

View a list of locations where passes can be purchased.
 

RULES

1. Recreational Vessel Seasonal, Ten-Day and Two-Day Passes are invalid for all commercially licensed & registered vessels.
   
   New York State Navigational Law defines a commercial vessel to be one that is either carrying passengers and/or freight, towing or used for any purpose for which compensation is received either directly or provided as an accommodation, advantage, facility or privilege at any place of public accommodation, resort or amusement.
   
   If you have any questions or require clarification regarding eligibility of your vessel, you may contact the New York State Canal Corporation in writing at the address noted below or you may call the Canal Boater Resource Specialist at (518) 471-5016.
   
   
   New York State Canal Corporation
   200 Southern Boulevard
   Albany, New York 12209
   
    
2. A false statement on the RECREATIONAL VESSEL PASS APPLICATION (TA-W99115); alteration of the Seasonal Pass decals, Ten-Day and Two-Day Passes, or your vessel registration; or any improper use of the Pass will subject the holder to immediate revocation of the Pass privilege.
    
3. The Canal Corporation reserves the right to withhold or rescind the issuance of a Pass or transfer of a Seasonal Pass pending verification by the appropriate state, provincial or national agency of any or all statements supplied by the applicant.
    
4. The Seasonal Pass will not be honored until both Pass decals are affixed to the vessel. Proper placement of the Pass decals is on the bottom left and right corners of the front windshield of the vessel or, if there is no front windshield, then in line with and three (3) inches after the Department of Motor Vehicles registration decals on the port (left) and starboard (right) sides of the hull of the vessel.
    
5. Both Seasonal Pass decals must be removed or otherwise made unusable after the navigational season.

For additional information contact:

New York State Canal Corporation
Administrative Headquarters
200 Southern Boulevard
Albany, New York12209
(800) 422-1825
www.canals.ny.gov

The New York State Canal System is operated and maintained by the New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority.