Lawson Lake is a County Park located about 3 miles north of the Alcove Reservior that is a popular local place to go canoeing, fishing, and swimming (although posted against swimming). It is located just off of Route 32, about a mile prior to passing the Alcove.

I frequently go down there canoeing when a have an hour or two to burn up, but don’t want to drive a few more miles out to Partridge Run to canoe on some of those lakes. Lawson Lake is located in a beautiful valley as you can see.

Usually when I go out canoeing, I bring the dog with me to help balance the canoe. Usually he is quite well behaved, except when he’s not. He understands left and right, front, and sit.

Here is the dog sitting down and looking out over the side of the canoe.

The edge of the pond is quite swampy, but with lots of wildlife, including great blue fishers, beavers, snapping turtles and other animals.

Along the edge of the pond are Pond Lillis that can be a bit difficult to paddle through. Good place for fishing, I’m sure.

My little Ford Ranger pickup truck has a 6 foot short-bed. Yet, at least with one of the canoes my parents own, it fits well in the truck is well balanced. The canoe is held down by the truck cap, and tied in with a set of Bunche Cords. It rides increadibly beautiful — I’ve taken it over very bumpy state truck trails with no problems at Partridge Run, and driven dozens of miles at high speed like this.

Here is a map. It’s very easy to get there from Albany, and probably even a quicker drive then out to Partridge Run.