Best Kayaking Spots in the Catskills

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Where Can I Kayak in the Catskills?

The Catskill Mountains in New York offer a variety of scenic waterways perfect for kayaking enthusiasts. From tranquil lakes to meandering creeks, the Catskills provide a picturesque backdrop for a peaceful paddling experience. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or a beginner, the Catskills have something to offer.

What are the Top Kayaking Destinations in the Catskills?

kayaking in catskills

1. North-South Lake

  • Location: Heart of the Catskills near Palenville.
  • Features: This is the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve. It offers access to two lakes, two beaches, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and more. You can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, or rowboats from the on-site boathouse.
  • Launch Location: The boathouse at North-South Lake Campground.

2. Esopus Creek

  • Location: Near Phoenicia, NY.
  • Features: The Esopus Creek is always runnable, even at minimum water levels, but it includes occasional Class II rapids and shallow parts. It’s a good spot for those who can handle some rapids.
  • Launch Location: You can launch from Saugerties town beach and paddle upstream several miles on the Esopus, or do a dock launch below the dam and head out to the Saugerties lighthouse and the Hudson.

3. Catskill Creek

  • Location: Village of Catskill.
  • Features: This creek offers a nice and convenient put-in across the street from the old school. You can paddle downstream to the mouth of the Hudson River and upstream a couple of miles until you hit the first rapid. The creek is tidal, so it’s best to paddle near high tide.
  • Launch Location: Across the street from the old school in the Village of Catskill.

4. Mongaup Pond

  • Location: Near the Upper Delaware River.
  • Features: While not great as a paddling destination due to its small size, Mongaup Pond is very scenic and reportedly has a resident Bald Eagle. It can be used as a base to access other nearby paddling spots like the Upper Delaware and Beaverkill.
  • Launch Location: Mongaup Pond itself, though it’s more of a base for exploring other nearby waterways.

Do I Need a Permit for Kayaking in the Catskills?

  • General Information: For most public lakes and rivers in the Catskills, you do not need a permit to kayak. However, some specific reservoirs and private properties may have restrictions or require permits.
  • Example: For reservoirs managed by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), you may need a permit. However, this is more common for fishing and motorized boats rather than kayaking.

What Safety Precautions Should I Take for Kayaking in the Catskills?

  1. Life Vests

  2. Requirement: New York state law requires that all children 12 years old and younger wear a life vest while on the water. It is highly recommended for all kayakers to wear properly fitted life vests.

  3. Weather Awareness

  4. Precaution: Keep an eye on the weather as heavy winds can result in choppy water. If you hear thunder or see lightning, exit the water and seek shelter on shore as soon as possible.

  5. Navigating Waves

  6. Technique: If you encounter large waves, steer the nose of your kayak directly into the wave to avoid being capsized.

  7. Group Paddling

  8. Etiquette: When paddling in a group, stay in a single file line rather than side by side to avoid blocking the waterway for other kayakers and watercraft.

  9. Motorized Watercraft

  10. Precaution: If motorized watercraft are present, steer your kayak to the shallower edges of the waterway to allow the motorized craft to pass by easily and safely.

  11. Gear Security

  12. Precaution: Secure your gear and supplies in waterproof bags to make it easy to quickly locate and retrieve all of your items if they happen to fall into the water.

  13. Noise Level

  14. Etiquette: Keep boisterous activity to a minimum to avoid disturbing the local wildlife and other boaters, as sound travels a great distance over water.

Reference

  1. Picturesque Places to Paddle in New York State – ILoveNY.com

  2. [https://www.iloveny.com/blog/post/picturesque-places-to-paddle-in-new-york-state/]

  3. Kayaking Ulster County – New Paltz Kayaking

  4. [https://npkayaking.com/kayaking-ulster-county/]

  5. Catskill Paddling? – Advice – Paddling.com

  6. [https://forums.paddling.com/t/catskill-paddling/43134]

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