The NYSDEC Hudson River Research Reserve offers FREE educational canoe trips at selected sites along the Hudson River Estuary. Learn about tidal marsh ecology, Hudson River research, and challenges facing estuarine habitats.
Trips average 3.5 hours including orientation and paddling instruction.
To ensure that these trips reach as wide an audience as possible, we limit people to one trip per a season. If you sign up for more then one trip our administrator will cancel all but the earliest reservation.
Programs generally run rain or shine, but trips may be cancelled if high winds, heavy rain or thunderstorms are predicted.
Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your trip or an attendee please email: lafila@gw.dec.state.ny.us or
call (845) 889-4745 x 107.
If there is inclement weather (ie. thunder, lighting, high winds) and the NYSDEC cancels the canoe program please call (845) 889-4745 x 106. If the trip is cancelled there will be a message left on the anwsering machine.
Information on canoe sites:

Stockport Flats:
Watch for herons and eagles as we explore Columbia County's Stockport Creek. Weather permitting, we'll then paddle to an island featuring bank swallows and a great swimming beach.
Stockport Flats is the northernmost site in the Hudson River Reserve. It is located on the east shore in Columbia County, a few miles north of the city of Hudson, in the towns of Stockport and Stuyvesant.

Tivoli North Bay:
This Fascinating tidal marsh in Dutchess County offers spectacular plants, interesting wildlife, and scenic views of the Catskills. Witness its unique sights, sounds, and smells as you wander through one of the most amazing protected sites on the Hudson. Paddle on winding tidal channels with Reserve naturalists.

(Photo: Rebecca Houser)
Kowawese State Unique Area:
Located at Plum Point Park south of Newburgh, this wonderland is filled with marsh birds and plants. Paddle in Hudson River shallows and Moodna Creek wetlands with Reserve naturalists.

Iona Island:
Paddle through this marshy maze with Reserve naturalists. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands adjacent to Bear Mountain State Park, this wetland features marsh flowers, snapping turtles, and blue crab.

For more info about the Reserve, click here or call 845-889-4745.
For more info about canoe trips or other estuary events, click here.
To learn more about NYSDEC, see: www.dec.ny.gov
Please limit your participation to one trip per season. If you sign up for more than one trip we will cancel all but the earliest reservation.
DIRECTIONS
Scroll down below written directions for links to Google Maps for sites.
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Iona
(Rockland County)
This is on west side of Hudson River, just south of Bear Mountain Bridge. Travel to Bear Mountain traffic circle and turn right onto 9W south. About one mile south of turn-off for Bear Mountain Inn, the road flattens out. Look for and make left-hand turn onto Iona Island Causeway. This road cuts directly through tidal wetlands. Drive about ½ mile. Park just before railroad tracks near kiosk.
View Iona Island Map
Stockport Flats
(Columbia County north of Hudson)
From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through city of Hudson. After leaving the city, the road travels down long hill, then goes over Stockport Creek. After crossing bridge, take immediate left onto Station Road. Travel about one mile until road dead-ends at river.
From the north: Take Route 9 through town of Stuyvesant and make right turn onto Station Road immediately before bridge crossing Stockport creek. Travel about one mile until road dead-ends at river.
View Stockport Flats Map
Tivoli North Bay
(Dutchess County south of Tivoli)
From SOUTH of Tivoli: Take 9G north and pass Bard College signs and sign for route 103. Pass sign on left for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, then turn left onto Kidd Lane. Turn left at another sign for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area. Follow dirt access road down hill approximately 0.7 miles and park in second parking area on right (first parking area is at beginning of access road).
From NORTH of Tivoli: Take 9G south. Pass signs for Route 78 and town of Tivoli. Go approximately one more mile and turn right onto Kidd Lane. Turn left at sign for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area. Follow dirt access road down hill approximately 0.7 miles and park in second parking area on right (first parking area is at beginning of access road).
NOTE: Please do not park at the cul-de-sac at the bottom of the hill. With the exception of official vehicles, that area is reserved for loading and unloading only.
View Tivoli North Bay Map
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Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
Phone: 845-889-4745 ∙ Fax: 845-889-4749
Website: www.dec.ny.gov
All Participants Should Bring:
· Water (minimum 1 liter, 2 liters recommended for hot, humid days)
· Sunscreen and/or Hat
· Snack and/or Lunch
· Appropriate Clothing: Synthetic clothing preferable. Cotton not recommended. Weather may range from hot to cool, so please bring clothes for variety of weather conditions.
· Appropriate footwear: If canoeing, SHOES MAY BE SUBMERGED!
Water shoes or sandals okay – no flip-flops please (they come off in water).
· Necessary Personal Medication(s)
Other Useful Items:
· Insect Repellant
· Field Guides
· Binoculars
· Extra Clothes
· Raingear
· Type III Safety Vest (if you own one)
NOTE: No bathroom facilities available at canoe launch or during canoe trip.
We provide canoes, safety vests, paddles and paddling instruction. No previous experience in a canoe is necessary, but instructions must be followed for safety and enjoyment’s sake. Please arrive a few minutes early – programs begin promptly. Important pre-trip information will be discussed before heading out.
We schedule in plenty of time to prepare for getting into the boats (canoe assignment, handing out paddles and life vests, instructions for being on the water, etc.). We will be on the water approximately 3 hours. Please be patient, as we have a large group to accommodate.
For further information, call 845-889-4745 x106 or email hrnerr@gw.dec.state.ny.us
From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through city of Hudson. After leaving city, road travels down long hill, then crosses wide, deep gorge. This is Stockport Creek. Make immediate left after bridge onto Station Road. Travel about one mile until road dead-ends at river.
From the north: Take Route 9 through Town of Stuyvesant and make right-hand turn onto Station Road immediately before bridge crossing Stockport Creek. Travel about one mile until road dead-ends at river.
From south of Tivoli: Take 9G north and pass Bard College signs and sign for route 103. Pass sign on left for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area, then turn left onto Kidd Lane. Turn left at another sign for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area. Follow dirt access road down hill approximately 0.7 miles and park in second parking area on right (first parking area is at beginning of access road).
From north of Tivoli: Take 9G south. Pass signs for Route 78 and town of Tivoli. Go approximately one more mile and turn right onto Kidd Lane. Turn left at sign for NYSDEC Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area. Follow dirt access road down hill approximately 0.7 miles and park in second parking area on right (first parking area is at beginning of access road).
NOTE: Please do not park at the cul-de-sac at the bottom of the hill. With the exception of official vehicles, that area is reserved for loading and unloading only.
Kowawese State Unique Area at Plum Point is located just south of Newburgh in the town of New Windsor. From Route 9W, turn east toward the Hudson River onto Plum Point Lane (just south of the Toyota dealership on Route 9W). We will launch from the beach down the hill from the Interpretive Center.
This is on west side of Hudson River, just south of Bear Mountain Bridge. Travel to Bear Mountain traffic circle and turn right onto 9W south. About one mile south of turn-off for Bear Mountain Inn, the road flattens out. Look for and make left-hand turn onto Iona Island Causeway. This road cuts directly through tidal wetlands. Drive about ½ mile. Park just before railroad tracks near kiosk.