Hudson Valley Pack & Paddle, Inc.

LAKES & PONDS

Taconic Park Region Lakes: $20.00 seasonal boating permit required
Canopus Lake: (Camping available at Pelton Pond across Route 301)
Stillwater Lake: A gated area, you'll need to get the combination to the lock.
Rudd Pond
Lake Taghkanic: (Camping, a nice swimming beach and facilities)
Harriman State Park: 7-Lakes in total, $20.00 seasonal permit require to paddle here.
Sebago Lake: (Camping) - Seven Lakes Drive, ACA Camp
Silvermine Lake
Lake Kanawauke
Lake Tiorati: largest lake in park and an additional $10.00 fee for a key to access to these lakes.
Lake Welch
Lake Stahahe
Wappinger Lake: Wappingers Falls, NY- small public launch at the end of Spring St.
Sylvan Lake: East Fishkill - small launch on Sylvan Lake Rd., not much parking
White Pond: Town of Kent, NY - no permits, small and clean, nice launch & parking Chodikee Lake: New Paltz, NY - no permits, the Black Creek flows through on it's way to the Hudson.
The Basherkill: Orange County, NY - no permits required - a very unique area, large marsh, lots of wildlife
Rio Resevoir: big lake, no motors, clear and quiet, NY, PA border
Orange Lake: Newburgh, NY, mostly private access.
Silver Lake: Clinton, NY, public launch
Upton Lake: Northern Dutchess County, NY, public launch
Taylor Pond: Northern Dutchess County, NY (camping)
Whaley Lake: Beekman, NY - $15.00 launch fee, motorboats and jet skiis
Copake Lake: Copake, Columbia County, NY
Twin Lakes: Elizaville, Columbia County, NY
Lake Mahopac: Mahopac, NY, busy on weekends, motorboats and jetskis
Bantam Lake: Connecticut
Putnam Lake: Patterson, NY, mostly private
Candlewood Lake: Connecticut - big lake, busy on weekends, power boats and jet skiis
Squantz Pond: Connecticut - connected to Candlewood Lake, much smaller and quieter

FLATWATER RIVERS

Wappingers Creek - Pleasant Valley to Greenvale Park section: - need 2 cars - launch behind town hall in Pleasant Valley. Take out at Greenvale Park off Rte. 376.
Fun run if water is fairly high.
Wappingers Creek - Tidal Marsh: Wappingers/New Hamburg, NY - public launch south of Wappingers Falls on Creek Road. Bald eagles winter here. Access to Hudson River at New Hamburg, It is paddleable all season long but is best in the Spring and Fall without the Waterchestnut.
Fishkill Creek: Fishkill, NY - launch at bridge or behind baseball field at intersection of Rte. 52 & 82. Paddle upstream a mile or two & back depending upon water levels. Downstream of put in is a old dam and a small drop that must be avoided.
Moodna Creek: New Windsor, NY - access via Plum Point Park, Rte 9W. Launch into Hudson River across from Bannerman's Island. Paddle south along shoreline, entry to creek is under railroad bridge which can only be accessed from the Hudson at or near at high tide. Paddle upstream, usually only until you reach the 9W bridge, at very high water you can go a little farther.
The Great Swamp: Patterson, NY - Covering over 6,000 acres it is one of the largest freshwater wetlands in New York State. Eventually reaching the Long Island Sound via the Ten Mile and Housatonic Rivers and NYC via the Croton River this watershed is vital to our area. A very unique place amid suburban sprawl, once on the water you'll feel like your in another world. Lots of birds, turtles basking on logs, beaver dams and river otters. Public access is available at the Outdoor Education parking lot across from the Green Chimney's School. From here paddle upstream a mile or two and back, an easy 2-3 hour trip. Another access point is at the Town of Patterson Environmmental Park. A longer outing and a bit more difficult depending upon water levels, there currently is at least one portage around some downed trees near Route 22. This one way trip usually takes 4+ hours and you'll need a shuttle vehicle at the take out at Green Chimney's.
Wallkill River: New Paltz, NY - public launch off Rte. 299. The put in and parking were recently improved and you will find 10-12 miles of flat water for paddling and fishing.
Croton River: Croton, NY - Launch near the Metro North Train Station just off Route 9. Either paddle upstream at high tide a mile or so in a calm tidal delta or for more of a challenge you can head downstream out into the Hudson River.
Swamp River: Connecticut
Tenmile River: NY into Conn. Mostly moving flatwater, Class 1-2 through Webatuck Village. After that it can be a Class 3-4 as it reaches the Housatonic River. Depending on rainfall the Tenmile can become dangerous at the NY/Conn border. Always scout the lower section first!
Housatonic River: Connecticut, several miles of flatwater above Bulls Bridge. From West Cornwall, Conn., paddle downstream through a few miles of mostly Class 1-2 whitewater. Call Clarke Outdoors for a river shuttle. Also, check out the AMC River Guide for Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island for descriptions and maps. From the dam at Bulls Bridge, South it's either Class 3-5 whitewater or unrunnable.
If you haven't paddle here before, stop, get out and scout it!
Delaware River: Port Jervis, NY/PA border, mostly moving flatwater, Class 1-2. There are lots of outfitters, rentals, camping and shuttles available. Be aware of Skinners Falls.

HUDSON RIVER

Plenty of access and lots to explore. You need to learn how the tidal changes that occur each day will impact your trip and effect access to the tidal marshes and estuaries of the Hudson River. See Hudson River Water Trail Association for The Hudson River Watertrail Guide. The ultimate paddlers guide for this designated American Heritage River is also available from Hudson Valley Pack & Paddle. Order by phone or email for $24.95 plus $4.95 for shipping.
Northeast Tide Tables - Tide data for the Hudson River and the Northeast Atlantic Coast.

Our Favorite Hudson River Launches and Places to Paddle:
Stockport Creek, Hudson, NY
Tivoli Bays, Tivoli, NY
Norrie Point State Park, Staatsburg, NY
Wappingers Creek, Tidal Section, Wappingers Falls, NY
Plum Point, the Moodna Creek & Bannerman's Island, New Windsor, NY
Beacon, Dennings Point & the Fishkill Creek, Beacon, NY
Cold Spring, Constitution Marsh & West Point, Cold Spring, NY

WHITEWATER RIVERS

Seasonal and vary greatly depending upon rainfall and regulated dam releases. Be advised that the following sections of whitewater can be dangerous and are not suitible for beginners. Either paddle with someone who has done these runs before or take a lesson and scout the run first.

The Esopus Creek from the portal at the base of the Ashokan Reservior or from the fishermans access lot on Route 28 just north of Phoenecia, NY down to the Village of Phoenecia and the Town Tinker Tube Rental take out or continue down through "Elmers Bend". Highlights are "Railroad Rapids" near Woodland Valley and "Elmers Bend". Plenty of other small playspots along the way. Lookout for fly fisherman in the Spring and for tubers and rocks in the Summer. Class 2 to 3.
The Rondout Creek from just below High Falls, NY down to the Stewarts Shop and bridge takeout in Rosendale. This is a good fun run but there are one or two tricky spots that you need to be very aware of. The "Eye Ripper" is a small ledge drop with a big sharp rock right in the middle, sometimes just below the surface. At certain levels there is a large surf wave here for skilled boaters to play on. Also lookout for "Riverwide", a grabby ledge hole just below the "Eye Ripper". Both spots can be very dangerous, you do not swim this stuff! Class 2 to 3.
The Moodna Creek, Route 32, Newburgh, NY. This creek can be run as 2 sections. The first half is a fun Class 1 to 2 run if it's rained and the levels are up. However, the second half should be treated with care and can be a Class 3 or 4. Two small dams exist in the second half and "Pylon" a rapid through an area of old bridge supports creates real danger for unskilled boaters. This section can be run by competent paddlers but make sure you scout it first!! Check the Ramapo Gauge for a relatively accurate flow representation. No releases but if it rains hard this creek comes up fast.
The Housatonic River from Bulls Bridge to the take out at the pump station after "George's Hole" and "Powerhouse Rapids". This section of the Housatonic is generally only paddleable when they are releasing water from the dam. Bulls Bridge is Class 4-5 and the lower section is Class 2-3.
Mongaup River regulated releases throughout the spring and summer. Class 2-3.
(More info to come)
Fishkill Creek, mostly Class 1, "moving flatwater". There are several dams south of Glenham and in Beacon, NY making much of the lower creek unnavigable. However, when it rains the creek comes up quickly and there's a nice mile or so run between these points in Beacon, NY. The short section pictured below has several small but worthwhile playspots. It's quite shallow and there is some debris you need to be aware of.

When in doubt get out and scout! Whitewater kayaking can be a lot of fun. It can also be dangerous and even deadly for paddlers who get in over their head. No pun intended. There have been several deaths on local creeks in the last few years. Please seek qualified instruction before attempting any of the trips listed here. Learning how varying water levels will effect these rivers is critical to being able to accurately predict what the conditions will be like on a given day. See below for river level data and always wear your PFD and always wear a kayaking helmet on moving water or in ocean surf.

See Northeast Paddlers Message Board - for great info.and whitewater links. USGS Resources: Check the gauges before you go. A full understanding of how the variations in water levels will effect your trip is going to take some time and on-water experience. If you have not paddled a particular river or creek before; get a good guide book, scout the river if possible and seek out experienced local paddlers who are familiar with the area.

New York River Levels
Connecticut River Levels
Massachusetts River Levels
Pennsylvania River Levels

ATLANTIC COASTAL

Norwalk Islands & The Long Island Sound: - launch near Norwalk marinas, "Calf Pasture Beach Park" and explore the shoreline of Sheffield Island and several other islands just outside the harbor. You'll need an accurate nautical chart and in the summer months take great care due to heavy boat traffic in this area. Other than boat traffic sea conditions in this area are generally fairly mild. There is "wilderness camping" available on certain public beaches, by permit only, just a mile or so off shore.
See the Connecticut DEC website for more info. and get any required permits.
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The Thimble Islands & the Sound: - New Haven, Connecticut. (More Info to come.)
Fischers Island: - New London/Groton, Connecticut. This trip is not for beginners, you will likely find very challenging conditions. Located at the western tip of Long Island powerful tidal currents change dramatically as the tide in the Long Island Sound rises and falls. All members of your group will need to be competent in open water navigation, launching, landing and paddling in potentially heavy surf. Know your rescues and be ready for strong currents and waves if you paddle into "The Race". Planning your trip according to how the tide and currents specifically effect these waters is critical.
This is Sea Kayaking, be prepared!
Block Island: - Castle Hill/Point Judith, Rhode Island, Like Fischers Island this trip is not for beginners. Solid paddling skills and planning are required. Know your rescues, four to six foot seas and small craft warnings are common. Be comfortable with open water navigation and the longer distances to be coverered. If the tide is going out and you miss Block Island the next place to land is England.
Cape Cod: - Eastham, Massachusetts - Nauset Marsh - Good for beginners with a basic understanding of tide levels. Get a tide table at the Salt Pond Visitors Center but be aware that the marsh tides are several hours different from the Atlantic Ocean. Access is available at Salt Pond or via the public launch at the end of Hemenway Road. This is a large tidal salt marsh, no permits are necessary and it offers mostly protected flatwater paddling. There is access out into to the Atlantic Ocean at the Nauset Beach Inlet, seals, strong tidal currents and waves are common here, be careful. In the marsh are beautiful sand bar beaches at certain tide levels and crystal clear salt water 6" to 6' deep. Nauset Marsh is a protected area with rare ocean birds nesting in the dunes and is part of The Cape Cod National Seashore. If you visit Cape Cod you have to paddle here.
Essex River Basin: - Glouster, Massachusetts - The Essex River flows into a very large and mostly protected tidal salt marsh with public access in Glouster. There are a few islands with buildings of historical significance and access out into to the Atlantic Ocean. Some areas are protected for nesting birds and there is a bit of small boat traffic due to the active marina in Glouster..

For more Connecticut kayaking information check out these sites.
Connecticut Paddling
Connecticut Coastal Access Guide

Looking for more information? Check out our Library & Links pages.