If you love New York and you love scenic byways, then you’ll love driving along the Black River Trail Scenic Byway. This 95-mile route goes from Rome, near Utica, all the way up north to Dexter near Sackets Harbor on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. Along the way, you’ll pass right between the western edge of the Adirondacks and the Tug Hill Plateau as you follow the Black River. This is a great scenic byway in New York that everyone should try. Read on to learn more about it.

Everybody loves a good road trip! For this one, we'll start off in Rome, a city of 32,000 people in Oneida County. From there, head north on Route 46.
Calvin Beale, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
As you head north, you'll pass Delta Reservoir near Westernville.
Jason Saville/Google Local
Continuing, you'll pass the beautiful Buck Hills State Forest on your right.
Michael Brown/Google Local
You'll also pass through Pixley Falls State Park. Be sure to pull over and check out the falls.
H M/Google Local
Boonville is the next town you'll pass through. It might be a good spot to stop for lunch or a snack. The Byway continues on Route 12 here.
Michael Brown/Google Local
The Black River Canal was built to connect the Black River to the Erie Canal. It had 109 locks over 35 miles; you can see the remains of one of them along this route.
Ebedgert at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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The town of Lyons Falls has another great waterfall to view.
David Spaulding/Google Local
Next, you'll pass through Lowville, and then you'll take a right on Route 410, and a left on Route 126. You'll pass by the Beartown State Forest, shown here.
Greg Lubbers/Google Local
You'll go through a few more pleasant small towns along this route, like Carthage. Get on Route 3 here.
Hunter Bechaz/Google Local
The town of Black River is named after this river that the route has been following for a while.
Will M/Google Local
Eventually, you'll come to Watertown, which will feel like a big city after all those small towns!
Hunter Bechaz/Google Local
Finally, you'll end up in Dexter, where the Black River Trail Scenic Byway comes to an end. You'll be right on the shores of Black River Bay here.
Eric Brown/Google Local
Just go a bit further to Sackets Harbor and enjoy the tremendous views and a perfect sunset over Lake Ontario.
Jonathan Percy/Eye Em Collection via Getty Images

The Black River Trail Scenic Byway is lovely! You’ll really enjoy driving its entire length. Without stops, it will take about two hours to complete – but be sure to make plenty of stops and enjoy the beauty of this part of New York. Safe travels!

If you’re looking for another scenic byway in New York to try, check out this post: These 8 Beautiful Byways In New York Are Perfect For A Scenic Drive

 

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Rome, NY, USA
Dexter, NY, USA