 More Fun in the Outdoors > Scenic Treasures > Fall Foliage Driving Tours |
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Fall Foliage Driving Tours
Circular Foliage Route
Water Focused Tour
Salmon River Falls Tour Download the entire Fall Foliage Driving Tour brochure here! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - This route passes through some of the most beautiful areas of eastern Oswego County, such as Littlejohn and Happy Valley NYSDEC Wildlife Management Areas, and the Salmon River Reservoir. Beginning at the intersection of NYS Rte. 104 to its junction with NYS Rte. 13. Turn right and continue on Rte. 13 until it meets Co. Rte. 17 in Williamstown. Turn left, heading north on Rte. 17 up to Littlejohn Wildlife Management Area, at the intersection with Co. Rte. 15. This road leads west into Sandy Creek, where it meets Rte. 3. At this intersection, turn left, driving south on Rte. 3 to Mexico, to complete the circle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Another tour adds the waters of Panther Lake, Oneida Lake, Salmon River, and the Salmon River Reservoir to the views of the remarkable foliage. Starting at the intersection of State Rte. 49 and county Rte. 17 in Bernhard’s Bay, take Rte. 49 west until it intersects with county Rte. 11 in West Monroe. Turn right, heading north on Rte. 11 until it intersects with State Rte. 69. Turn left on Rte. 69, heading west. Turn right, onto county Rte. 26, turn left onto Rte. 22 and head north to the intersection with State Rte. 104. Take Rte. 22 north through the village of Altmar, along the Salmon River, and into the town of Orwell to the intersection with county Rte. 2. Turn right onto Rte. 2 and follow east to the intersection with county Rte. 17 in Redfield. Take a right on Rte. 17, heading south past the Salmon River Reservoir and Panther Lake and back to Bernhard’s Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - This tour takes visitors to the NYSDEC Salmon River Fish Hatchery in the village of Altmar and then to view the breath- taking Salmon River Falls in the town of Orwell.
- From Oswego, or from I-81 exit 34, take State Rte. 104, east to county Rte. 22, following the signs for the Altmar Fish Hatchery. Turn left onto Rte. 22 and continue northeast approximately 5 miles to the village of Altmar. Turn right onto State Rte. 13. Turn left after .10 mile back onto Rte. 22. The Salmon River Fish Hatchery is one-half mile on the left, at 2133 county Rte. 22. The hatchery is open through Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors may view egg-taking on weekdays. Displays, exhibits, and outdoor fish ladders are open daily.
- After visiting the Salmon River Fish Hatchery, turn left out of the parking lot onto Rte. 22. You will pass the Lower Reservoir about 1.4 miles from the fish hatchery. Access is available for canoes and kayaks from day-use picnic areas across from Bennetts Bridge, and approximately .75 mile up Hogback Road. The Lighthouse Hill hydropower facility, located on the Lower Reservoir, was built in 1930. Look for the large osprey nests on top of the power poles next to the reservoir. Continue on Rte. 22, past the Bennetts Bridge hydropower facility, and turn right onto Falls Road, about 3.5 miles from the hatchery. Travel 1.4 miles to the Salmon River Falls Unique Area. The parking area is on the right. This 110-foot waterfall provides a breathtaking view any time of the year. A footpath to the bottom of the gorge is open through Nov. 15. Areas of the gorge are restricted and visitors should stay on maintained footpaths and use extreme caution.
- After visiting Salmon River Falls, return to the intersection of Falls Road and Rte. 22, and take Rte. 22 south past the fish hatchery to the intersection of State Rte. 13. From the village of Altmar, you may turn right onto Rte. 13 and continue northeast through the village of Pulaski. You may access I-81 in the village of Pulaski or continue down Rte. 13 to Port Ontario. Turn left onto State Rte. 3 and continue to State Rte. 104B to the intersection of State Rte. 104. Continue west on Rte. 104 to Oswego.
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