Image: The Sloop Clearwater
Use our guide to explore by kayak or enjoy a sail down the river on an old-style Hudson River sloop.
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater
724 Wolcott Ave., Beacon
845-265-8080.
The Clearwater sails the Hudson River conducting environmental educational programs and riverfront festivals. For public sails, children of all ages are welcome onboard with proper adult supervision.
Clearwater has a limited number of infant/toddler life jackets onboard: Please verify their availability with the sail coordinator prior to sailing, or feel free to bring your child’s own Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Check the website for dates, times, and locations of public sails.
Beacon Sloop Club’s Woody Guthrie
Red Flynn Dr.
Beacon
845-297-769.
Free family tours, approximately 2 hours long, with the opportunity to learn more about efforts made to clean up and improve the waters of the Hudson River. For many, it’s their first sailing experience. Call for reservations.
Check out this web exclusive on Hudson River Boat launching sites.
Tivoli Sailing Company
845-901-2697.
The beautiful Hudson Valley can be enjoyed on the sloop Leda, a 24-foot sailboat complete with grill, iceboxes, CD player, and restroom. Catered and non-catered charters are available, as well as adult sailing lessons and kid’s summer sailing school. Check website for details. Hours are by appointment and reservations are required.
The Constitution Marsh Audubon Center & Sanctuary
127 Warren Landing Rd., Garrison
845-265-2601.
Guided tours of Constitution Marsh help visitors enjoy gliding on the gentle tides of the Hudson River and the beauty of its surrounding habitat. Equipment and guided tours available, or you can visit with your own equipment from The Foundry Dock Park launch in Cold Spring. Just follow the water markers into the marsh. Children under age seven are not permitted on the canoe trips.
Norrie Point Paddlesport Center
Margaret Lewis Norrie State Park. Straatsburg
845-889-8461.
Offer over 75 different kayak tours and instructional programs. Distance on the water is approximately one mile, as activities are done along the way. Kids learn how to paddle and handle the possibility of capsizing. Designed for families with kids over the age of ten. Minimum weight of 40lbs. Kids 12 and under can also go on their Norrie Short Tour. $40/kids using kid’s kayaks/paddles/PFDs. $50/adults with adult kayaks/paddles/PFDs. Children under 13 must be accompanied by their guardian and guardians must sign a release form. Open May-September. Call for hours.
Storm King Adventure Tours
Cornwall-on-Hudson
845-534-7800.
Paddle in the shadow of Storm King, tour the ruins of Bannerman’s Island, or take a spellbinding trip into the seclusion of the Moodna Creek Marsh. You can make a three or four hour kayak trip, setting out from Cornwall Landing. With 30 kayaks, full safety equipment and licensed guides, they provide fun, safe and relaxing adventures for all. All tours are family friendly. The KICKS (Kids in Colorful Kayaks) program is for kids ages 9-15. “Tandem” kayaks are available, allowing parents to paddle with their child. For children to travel in a kayak alone, they should be about 5 feet tall.
Hudson Valley Outfitters
63 Main St., Cold Spring
845-265-0221.
Covers a wide array of both kayak rentals and tours. Calendar of tours listed online and run through October, averaging 4-5 hours in length. They include lunch and expert guides. You can rent kayaks for Constitution Marsh, which includes stops at the museum and a waterfall.
Access to Hudson River is from Scenic Hudson’s Foundry Dock Park. Admission is $100 for adults, $20 for children under 12. Children must weigh 50 lbs.
Boating not your thing? Discover these fun alternatives!
Check out our web exclusive on other Hudson Valley launch sites.