With water all around us, New Yorkers have no shortage of boating, rafting and canoeing opportunities, including hundreds of miles along the Hudson River.
Westchester offers a number of great places to try kayaking, canoeing and rafting, but going just a bit further into Lower Hudson Valley will make the family feel worlds away from its busy urban schedule while you take in those gorgeous mountain views perched atop a canoe gliding across a tranquil lake.
So prepare to launch your small craft for a little outdoor fun! We've rounded up our best bets for boating in Hudson Valley with kids, from canoeing and kayaking to tubing and paddleboarding.
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Storm King Adventure Tours – Cornwall-on-Hudson
Storm King offers nearly a dozen different kayak tours from its landing on the west bank of the Hudson, including a sunset Constellation Tour that crosses the river to Bannerman’s Island and a Full Moon tour that incorporates glow sticks and headlamps into the exploration. Paddlers need to be at least 12 years old to participate. For the younger set, Storm King holds two-hour camps on Wednesdays and Fridays to teach the basics of kayaking for kids ages 9 to 15.
Silver Canoe – Port Jervis
Take a rafting trip down the Delaware River! Silver Canoe transports participants to Pond Eddy where they paddle back along the 10-mile route to Port Jervis. Kids as young as 3 are permitted to participate, as long as they weigh at least 30 pounds. The trip takes four to five hours—something to keep in mind if you have little rafters. Between six and eight people can fit in a raft, depending on ages and sizes.
Jersey Paddle Boards – Greenwood Lake
Don’t let the name fool you—this rental shop is indeed located in New York, though Greenwood Lake shares an address with both states. You can explore the lake via kayak (tandem or single) or stand-up paddle board. Although there are no hard and fast age restrictions (they’ve had paddlers as young as 4), Jersey Paddle Boards do require that children know how to swim. After a long day on the water, head over to nearby Bellvale Creamery for some homemade ice cream and explore the rest of Warwick.
Hudson River Expeditions – Cold Spring and Peekskill
This outdoor adventure outfit offers two- and four-hour tours, as well as open rentals of kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, allowing you to explore the Hudson River, Constitution Marsh, Foundry Cove or Annsville Creek on your own or as part of a group. As with most places, there are restrictions that vary with age, and your trip may be dictated by the day’s tide levels. Children must be at least 3 years old and 30 pounds to participate, and only those 13 and older can rent their own kayaks or canoes. Children younger than 10 are permitted only in Foundry Cove and Constitution Marsh, which is maintained by the National Audubon Society and is quite lovely.
Town Tinker Tubing – Phoenicia
Kids 12 and older can white-water tube (yes, in an inner tube!) down the Esopus Creek. Town Tinker, which has been around for more than 30 years, will drop you off upstream, with the trip down taking around two hours. The water can be quite cold, so Town Tinker also offers wetsuit rentals (as well as helmets, which are recommended). Kayak rentals are also available, though this trip is recommended for more experienced kayakers.
Photo credit: Flickr, Rain0975