On my trip I saw several turtles, egrets, herons and spiders. (Optimum paddling conditions i.e., when water is highest occur in spring and early summer. While I recommend the Dover Oak option, Id be remiss if I didnt point out that you can actually drive right up to the Dover Oak on West Dover Road and park right next to it. We will definitely be going back to explore the Great Swamp. All rights reserved. If youre here with your dad, take a moment to thank him for teaching you to love hiking. All things paddling related! Launching sites are few, as much of the access to the Swamp lies on private property. Canoe Trip on the Great Swamp, Patterson, NY, with Dr. Jim Utter The Great Swamp is one of the most beautiful as well as ecologically important places in Putnam & Dutchess County! Cha-ching! The biggest white oak in New York. The parking area is directly across from the Green Chimneys campus, and is only available to the public Monday through Friday after 5 p.m. and on weekends. There were numerous large birds and turtles to view, and there were also Beaver dens galore. Paid parking is ~5 minute walk away from launch site. FrOGSsponsors naturalist-led canoe trips every year for people who dont have a boat or would prefer a short, educational adventure. Remember that you will have to paddle back upstream, so leave yourself enough time and energy! . If thats what you decide to do, just retrace your steps back to your car, and enjoy the stroll back across the boardwalk! 10. While the default version of this hike is the 4.9-mile up-and-back trek from the Great Swamp to the Dover Oak, you can really tailor this hike however youd like. The local FROGS (Friends of the Great Swamp) had done a great job keeping the waterway free of downed trees, as you can see the many areas where they had cleared. Due to a lack of snow and rain this winter and spring, the water level was down somewhat. The Dover Oak is right at the bottom of that hill. Its important to know that the water of the Great Swamp flows in two directions from its high point in Pawling and the two very different paddles are commonly referred to as the North Flow and the South Flow. The Raptor Trust at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge So, definitely a remote excursion into nature and lots of opportunities for viewing wildlife undisturbed by others. We'll probably park further south of Patterson, and paddle our way up the river to start, just to see the southern part of the area. We loved this hike! The Great Swamp is a regionally significant wetland that is home to a wide diversity of plant and animal life, including threatened and endangered species. 8 Swamp Paddling Getaways - Men's Journal Use extreme caution; the dirt road crosses ungated, unsignaled, active railroad tracks. When the boardwalk ends, make a right turn at the bottom of the steps to follow the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Why we love it Don't be surprised if you find yourself exclaiming "Serenity now!" when winding your way through this 6,000-acre freshwater wetland, one of New York's largest. Hey Mike thank you so much for the mention and shout out .. Ive used your hiking guides for a while now and they are a tremendous resource Next time you are in the Pawling area why dont you let us know we can grab a coffee and add your portrait to the Harlem Valley AT Hikers portrait page . Walk all the way to Georgia, then come back, take a shower, and tell everyone where youve been. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It is still a swamp, yes, but the tree line is incredibly short with only a scattered handful of dead trees continuing to stand in the water. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue We paddled down about 1.5mi, had lunch, and made our way back north. GPS 41.479042, -73.579082. The swamp still winds around and there were a couple of small beaver dams to see. What you wont see are many signs of civilizationamazing since youre just 70 miles from New York City. Patterson Environmental Park, Patterson: Drive into Patterson on Route 311. (And for spending all that time helping you with your algebra homework. Turn onto Gage Road just before the Green Chimneys campus. Preserving and protecting the health of the Great Swamp watershed through research, education and conservation since 1990. (If you get to Native Landscaping, youve gone about 100 yards too far.). From this turn, it took us 30 minutes to reach the Dover Oak. The swamp is very wooded, minus the area of the river. From launch, you can paddle in either direction. Whether you're looking for local hiking and kayaking spots, or just tips and tricks to make getting outdoors easier, you'll find something here for you. The trail ahead can get quite overgrown and swampy in the next section, depending on the conditions when you visit. Join H.G. Sure, these things could make you a perfectly fine swamp. Follow the access road to the end. Parking for about six available. Has the most dramatic start of any hike in the area cool little train station then a boardwalk cutting through gorgeous nature. Harlem Valley (Dover & Pawling, NY) - Appalachian Trail Conservancy Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kayaking; Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. From north to south, here are the ones open to the public for a Great Swamp paddling experience: Wheeler Road, Wingdale: Head north on Route 22. Though, theyre usually easy enough to maneuver around. The pictures you shared look like were on the no problem side of the equation though right? Your options, from easiest to hardest: So, those are your options! The Great Swamp in New York | Paddling.com Upcoming EventsFriends of the Great Swamp - frogs-ny.org Bathrooms: One porta-toilet. From the Dover Oak, do NOT cross the road. Follow the rough-hewn trail down to the water at the north end of the pull-off. Very much appreciated! Hey Mike Awesome write up. Dont go under the bridge and youll be just fine! Or the leaves (if its leafy out). Subscribe:Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. From this launch site, paddle north upstream. Kayaking the Great Swamp Wildlife Area in Brewster, New York - KGAdventures Youll want to stick carefully to the trail in this section the greenery here is about 85% poison ivy in spots. Paddling: Canoeing and Kayaking the Great Swamp That outcropping is Cat Rocks. There is no possibility of you getting lost, as there is only one way to go. Drive vehicle to sandy put-in spot by the wooden walking bridge, unload and park vehicle in lot. In the middle of the Swamp is Pine Island, once used in the Colonial times for counterfeiting. Kylia founded KGAdventures in an effort to help people get outdoors again. I didnt realize when heading out that we were paddling against the river but we definitely were. Depending on the conditions when you visit, you may still find some mud. Speaking of cool people, to see some excellent photos of long-distance AT hikers who are going WAAAAY further than we are today, check out these super-cool hiker portraits of folks as they passed through the Great Swamp, taken by Jane Haslam and Justin Goodhart (two very talented local photographers). Thank you Mikeyou ROCK. The Great Swamp wildlife management area, located right on the border between CT and NY in Putnam county is a beautiful place to kayak. The Swamp feeds the East Branch Croton Reservoir and filters its drinking water, while also recharging the aquifers that supply water for the many private wells in Patterson. Once you unload your kayaks, youll carry them right past the portable toilet and down into the launch site. Patagonia. The depth of your muck, the decibels of your frogs, the height of your bulrushes? This launch starts out lush and green, but quickly opens up to much more open scenery. Im sure it must get awfully buggy there at times, but its never been a significant issue on any of my visits. Plus, its a beautiful launch site, so you may even want to launch and just hangout there for a minute taking it all in. Great Swamp - Patterson Access - Great Swamp/ Croton River - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! Due to a lack of snow and rain this winter and spring, the water level was down somewhat. Its region is one of the largest remote areas in New Jersey, with 55 miles of shoreline. Kayaking in the Great Swamp ( RandomEventsNY.com ) - YouTube Thanks, cool people! It is remote and not a high traffic area, so be sure to be prepared and arrive with everything youll need, including enough water! Location: Near Croton-Harmon Train Stop at the Echo Boat Launch Croton-on-Hudson, NY. Decision time! This land is somebody elses land. Total ascent: 817 feet. All things paddling related! The toilet though was exceptionally clean, for a portable one so no worries on that front. Thanks so much, glad you all had a great day out there! The 6,000 acre Great Swamp, a jewel on the ecological map of eastern Dutchess and Putnam counties, has been providing beauty, solace and clean water for thousands of years. power of the Hudson River since 1963. . Saw lots of newts. But, all the openness leads to some incredible mountain views immediately behind the waterways. But, if this is something youre into there are a few hunting/research stations perfect for hunting spread throughout the waterways. Friends of the Great Swamp (FrOGS) requests that paddlers clean their boats before putting them in the water so that contaminants from other water bodies are not introduced into our ecosystem. The Great Swamp in New York; Submit Your Trip from . Great Swamp - Great Swamp | Paddling.com Much of the access to the Swamp lies on private property, but there are plenty of places to put in. Canoes are allowed, however, and the group sponsors naturalist-led canoe trips every year for people that want to visit and either do not have a boat or would prefer a short, educational adventure. And best of all thanks to your instructions we didnt get lost. At the end of the bridge there is an open field with what looks to be an area for the school or summer camp. Somepeople find the Great Swamp easiest to navigate with kayaks, but many enjoy paddling in canoes. We started out around 11am, with the weather finally starting to warm up in April, but still hovering around 50deg.F. [6] Ice Pond was utilized for at least two ice harvesting operations, one of which dates back to 1867. YUCK. Which brings us to another thing that makes this swamp so great: the network of awesome organizations that support it, including Friends of the Great Swamp (FroGS) (homepage and Facebook page) and the award-winning Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail Community (info and Facebook page). From the parking lot (see Directions to the trailhead below), head over to the split rail fence and turn right to follow the trail as it parallels the train tracks toward the kiosk and little MTA stop. From there, its only about 1 minute of a carry to the launch which is great for those heavier kayaks. Remember that you will have to paddle back upstream, so leave yourself enough time and energy! There are 22 State Parks that allow swimming check them out here! The whole point of hiking is to WALK! youll reply. This is a great day trip paddle through a quiet and meandering, swampy flat water stream that is rich in scenery, wildlife and history. In nearby Pawling, dont miss the Olive Gunnison Natural History Museum, located in the basement of the imposing Akin Free Library. Kayaking the Great Swamp - YouTube Great Swamp - Great Swamp - Find info about paddling launch sites including directions, ammenities, & fees to plan your next paddling trip! The Great Swamp is a large flooded area with a winding river that flows south from Patterson. One blue heron was in my sight just ahead of me for most of the two hour trip and a few pairs of swans were spotted along the way. Patterson, NY 12563
This launch site is only good when there is high water, and its better to head south upstream first. $151.48. It was both informative and entertaining. Route 22 to Doansburg Road. Then youll quickly make up and be friends again, because this tree is so amazing, and because it would take too long to find other people willing to put up with all your weirdness. If water levels were lower it would be harder to paddle this direction due to downed limbs/trees and beaver dams. Been hiking for five minutes already! From there, the gravel driveway to the small parking lot is on the same side of the street, about 100 yards south of the very well-marked Native Landscaping. I was forced to take out once along the way, but there were a couple of other times where I should have, but just plowed over and through some downed branches. As the launch site is directly next to the walking/fishing bridge youll clearly know when you made it back. . Whether youre a sane person or a crazy person, time to head home! If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. My sister, dog and I just got back from hiking it. At the launch site youll be immediately shown two options to either go left of the bride or to go right of the bridge. One of my favorite parts is that its very winding but because there is only one path, its impossible to get lost. Putnam Lake, NY Resources: My blog for this trip, with photos, is here - http://canoepost.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-great-swamp.html Trip Details Sport/Activity: Kayaking, Canoeing Skill Level: Beginner Water Type: River/Creek (Up to Class II) Trip Location There is no need for bug spray on the water, but you may need protection from sunburn. Tango Fiberglass 2-Piece Kayak Paddle. No information on Parking & Fees has been added yet for this paddling location. 101k members in the Kayaking community. Patagonia. (Also, just like at Grand Central, you can stand on one end of this station and whisper, and a person on the other side of the station will be able to hear you as if you were standing very close to them. It runs for nearly 20 miles through 4 towns, it lies in a 62,000-acre watershed, and the swamp itself covers about 6,000 acres, making it one of the largest wetlands in New York. Sounds like a nice stroll through the woods, but a long way to the next money spot. It hasnt let fame go to its twigs.). To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The section at the top of the climb was very overgrown, glad I wore pants. This 444-acre WMA is part of the Great Swamp, a 19.8-mile long, 4,202-acre wetland of state significance and an important stopover for migrating waterfowl. At the end of Marble Quarry, you will be find the access site. This launch site is directly across from a school so Google Maps can definitely locate the area. The Great Swamp - Patterson, New York October 22 & 23, 2022: Celebration of the Best places to access the Great Swamp Watershed. Did this today including the extension to Cat Rocks. I started in Patterson NY launching down a dirt road from the Patterson Recreation Center. Fill out the form, and youll receive content just like this directly in your inbox. 6. Please leave a comment! Stroll the boardwalk, then hoof it all the way to the Dover Oak and back. Onward and downward! Follow the rough-hewn trail down to the water at the north end of the pull-off. Mosquitoes love me and I didnt get one bite or even see a mosquito. While you might wonder if this gazebo is a place for weary hikers to relax, the NO TRESPASSING sign posted to the left of the flag lets you know that this land was NOT made for you and me. The Great Swamp is a vast area, with the river bisecting most of it, but with fallen trees, it can be difficult to head north of Patterson, but we'll try someday. Learn all you need to know! Leave No Trace is always crucial, but especially when youre in a protected wildlife area. In a couple minutes, youll pass through a thicket that can be a bit overgrown, then youll arrive at a trail marker on a post that is advising you to turn left with its two blazes. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-kgadventures_com-large-leaderboard-2-0-asloaded{max-width:250px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'kgadventures_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',642,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kgadventures_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Either before or after your paddle you can enjoy walking the observation and fishing bridge. It wasnt so bad I didnt wear bug spray, and a head net would have been completely unnecessary.
Thanks for sharing that suggestion. Its wet meadows, shrub swamps, treed floodplain, marshes, ponds and streams provide a wide variety of habitats for plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. From here, paddle south downstream. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Paddling on the Great Swamp is one of life's special pleasures. Parking for about six available. Pull-off is on the west side of the road. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife Observation Center 220 Long Hill Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933 The Wildlife Observation Center on Long Hill Road has three observation blinds and about 1.5 miles of boardwalk. Okay, hard-core Dover Oak people lets do this! I started paddling at the Green Chimneys School put-in off Doansburg Road and paddled north toward the Route 22 bridge. Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge | njHiking.com Just past a large duck blind, I spotted a beaver and about a 1/2 mile further north I came across the first of two water rats. 122K subscribers in the Kayaking community. Not only are the landscapes stunning, but there is so much wildlife and calm water that anyone of any age can enjoy this trip. identified in the Great Swamp, and 90 species are known to nest in the Swamp. Are you a crazy hiking swamp monster? Every time you stroll across the Great Swamp without getting muck up to your armpits (a feat that wouldnt have been possible prior to 2012), you should thank everyone who dreamt this thing up and had a hand in building it.