Hudson Valley Attractions | ||
Orange CountyBoat Launch |
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All Cornwall-on-Hudson Listings
Cornwall-on-Hudson Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site Cornwall | 914-543-4200 | |
Call or Press blue button for location of boat launch ramp, fees, and more information about the Cornwall Landing Launch Ramp in Cornwall, NY. website and more . . . |
All City of Newburgh Listings
City of Newburgh Boat Launch |
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Chadwick Lake Park "Ice Skating - Ice Hockey" | 845-565-3230 | |
Chadwick Lake Park is located immediately to the northwest of Junction NY32 and 300, in the Cronomer Valley section of Newburgh NY 12550, Orange County in the Hudson River Valley.
From City of Newburgh: "Chadwick Lake is a reservoir supplying water to the Town of Newburgh. The reservoir was created by damming Quassaick Creek in 1926. Today, most of the town's water is supplied by New York City's Delaware Aqueduct, with the reservoir acting primarily as a backup. "Chadwick Lake Park is open to the public with recreational facilities near the southern end of the park. Attractions include three picnic shelters, a playground, walking trails, boating launches, basketball courts, ice skating and a roller rink. Fishing is also allowed on the lake; largemouth bass is a common catch." website and more . . . |
All Orange County Listings
Orange County Boat Launch |
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Harriman State Park - Orange County (and Rockland) | 845-786-2701 | |
Harriman State Park, is located at Seven Lakes Dr / Bear Mountain Circle, Ramapo, NY 10974 in both Orange and Rockland counties. Harriman Park is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, three beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points. The park includes Lakes Welch, Sebago, Tiorati and Silvermine, the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area, Sebago Cabins and Beaver Pond Campgrounds. website and more . . . | ||
Hudson Highlands | 845-225-7207 | |
Click
to enlarge photo of the Hudson Highlands.
The sign reads: "For much of its 315-mile course, the Hudson River flows straight and broad. But at the Highlands, the Appalachian mountain chain intersects the river to create a fifteen mile stretch of rugged, mountainous landscape. This area contains the river's narrowest and deepest points, as well as its fastest currents. The Hudson River is an estuary, a mixture of salt and freshwater, and the saltwater line extends just north of Beacon. The River is tidal all the way up to the Troy Dam above Albany." website and more . . . | ||
Lake Kanawauke - Harriman State Park - Orange | ||
Lake Kanawauke is a 186-acre reservoir (mostly man made) in Harriman State Park. The lake is located in the Town of Tuxedo, Orange County, and in the Town of Haverstraw, Rockland County, NY. Lake Kanawauke is comprised of three parts, the lower, middle, and upper lakes. more . . . | ||
Lake Skannatati - Harriman State Park in Orange County | 845-786-2701 | |
photos and more . . . | ||
Long Path Trail 5 - 8: Hiking / Biking Hudson Highlands | 845-256-3000 | |
Long Path Trail 5 - 8: Hiking / Mountain Biking Hudson Highlands
"The Long Path makes its first foray into genuine mountains as it passes through the Hudson Highlands. It is the first time that the trail reaches higher than 1000 feet elevation above sea level. As part of its journey north through this region, it traverses the length of two major New York State Parks, Harriman, one of the oldest, and Schunemunk Mountain, one of the newest. It also enters a part of New York State that is steeped in Trail Conference history. Many of the trails created by the Trail Conference in its infancy are contained in Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks. The very first section of the Appalachian Trail lies in Harriman and that first section crosses the Long Path near Island Pond Mountain in Section 6. There are many, many trails throughout the Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks, making endless loop possibilities incorporating portions of the Long Path." photos, website and more . . . | ||
Long Path Trail 9 - 14: Hiking / Biking Orange County and Shawangunks | 845-256-3000 | |
Long Path Trail 9 - 14: Hiking / Mountain Biking Orange County and Shawangunks
"These sections of the Long Path provide the bridge between the low mountains of the Hudson Highlands in the south and the beginnings of the Catskills in the north. In between lie many small villages and towns set in the gently rolling hills of Orange County. Although not as exciting as sections further north or south, walking the backroads of Orange County move one into an older time and a way of life different from the frenetic pace of city living. It is only by walking the roads ordinarily driven that one can appreciate the different pace of rural living and its dependence on the pace of nature rather than the pace of people. In addition to a large portion of the southern Shawangunk Ridge these sections pass the Basha Kill, a large and beautiful wetland, on their way to Sam's Point Preserve and Minnewaska State Park Preserve. These are one of the most beautiful and interesting areas of the Hudson Valley. Though certainly not the highest or the most exotic parks in New York, they are some of the most colorful in character with their rich and varied flora, fauna, and vistas." more . . . |
All Southfields Listings
Southfields Boat Launch |
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Lake Tiorati Beach - Harriman State Park | 845-351-2568 | |
Click to enlarge photo of Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park. Lake Tiorati Beach in Harriman State Park is located in Southfields, NY in the region of Bear Mountain. Lake Tiorati was formed by clearing swampland in Harriman State Park and constructing a concrete dam to make two ponds into one large lake. Surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills, the park offers excellent swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking. In winter, if conditions allow, the lake may be used for ice fishing. Bona fide groups may use the pioneer campsites near the lake. website and more . . . |
All Tuxedo Park Listings
Tuxedo Park Boat Launch |
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Sterling Forest State Park | 845-351-5907 | |
Sterling Forest State Park, a 21,935-acre park, is located at 116 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY 10987 in Orange County. Sterling Forest State Park offers a nearly pristine natural refuge amidst of one of the nation's most densely populated areas, a remarkable piece of woodland, a watershed for millions, and a tremendous outdoor recreation area. This unbroken deep-forest habitat is important for the survival of many resident and migratory species, including black bear, a variety of hawks and songbirds and many rare invertebrates and plants. Learn about Sterling Forest's environment and history at the Visitor Center, overlooking Sterling Lake. The visitor center also features exhibits about the local environment. website and more . . . |
More Hudson Valley Boat Launch |
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Albany County [14 listings over 8 locations]
Columbia County [6 listings over 5 locations]
Dutchess County [10 listings over 6 locations]
Greene County [5 listings over 3 locations]
Putnam County [3 listings over 2 locations]
Rensselaer County [9 listings over 9 locations]
Rockland County [25 listings over 11 locations]
Saratoga County [2 listings over 2 locations]
Schenectady County [1 listing over 1 location]
Ulster County [9 listings over 4 locations]
Westchester County [10 listings over 9 locations]
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Select a boat launch site from our list of boat launches in the Hudson Valley. Call for the exact location of the boat launch ramps, for fees, and specific hours of operation.
Trailering and Launching Boats
Trailering
Back the tow vehicle up to the trailer. If you have help, have your partner stand beside the trailer tongue to help with alignment on the hitch ball. One system that works well is to have your partner hold a "thumbs up" when the hitch ball is in line with the tongue. If off to left or right, point in the direction the tow vehicle needs to go to get on line. If necessary, raise the tongue with the jack wheel to clear the ball. When the tongue is on the ball, close the spring lock that keeps the coupler secure on the ball and put the hitch pin or bolt in so it can't pop off. The rig may need to be pulled forward for the tongue to set fully down on the ball. Raise the jack wheel so it is out of the way. Hook the chains diagonally across (left to right, right to left) to the tow vehicle. If this part of the hitch system fails, the idea is for the chains to catch the tongue to keep it from driving into the ground. Hook the chain for the surge brake system to the tow vehicle. Connect the lights and make sure they work. Check running, brake, turn signals and emergency flasher lights. Check to make sure that the winch cable and safety chain are secured tightly to the boat.
Launching
Load personal gear into the boat. Put gear from the boat (canvas cover, straps, etc.) into the tow vehicle. Turn the blower on to ventilate the bilge area. Open the engine compartment to help the process. Use your nose to smell for fumes; nothing works better than your sense of smell for detecting the odor of gasoline. Put fenders out where appropriate to protect the boat when it is being launched. Prepare any lines that will help tie the boat off once it's in the water. Check the lower unit to make sure the gear oil is topped off. If the oil is foamy, water is mixed with the oil. The oil needs to be replaced and gaskets replaced on both the fill and air vent holes. If the boat is an inboard outdrive and the lower unit is down, raise it before moving the trailer. Put the drain plug in. If it is already in, check to make sure it is tightly in place. Approach the ramp and back your trailer to the edge of the water. If you have two people, put one on board to help the driver judge when the trailer is in the right depth of water. Unplug the lights. Remove the straps that hold the boat on the trailer at the stern and/or amidships area of the boat if you have not done so already. Store in the boat for easy access when pulling the boat out. Do not remove the winch and safety chain hooks on the bow eye until the boat and trailer are in the water! Back the trailer into the water. If there is someone on board, they can signal when to stop with the horn. A good rule of thumb is to back the trailer in until the trailer wheel hubs are just above the surface of the water. This might not work depending on the gradient of the ramp and how quickly it drops off. All ramps are different, so trial and error will play a big part in learning the ramps in your area. Note: Mechanics who work on trailer brakes recommend that trailer hubs never be submerged in salt water. If they are dunked, make sure they are rinsed off with fresh water at the end of the day and expect major brake work a minimum of every two years. Chock the wheels of the tow vehicle. Lower the inboard/outdrive -- Check clearance for the lower unit to avoid damage. Start the boat and warm it up for two to five minutes. Remove the winch hook from the bow eye, release the lock or ratchet and remove the hooks. If the boat doesn't roll off the trailer, it will need to be put in forward gear to take tension off the cable. Put the throttle in forward gear when the engine is warmed up with just enough power to take tension off the cable. The partner can take the hook off and give the "O.K." hand signal to the operator. Communication between partners is essential to avoid injuries. Sometimes the weight of the boat is not enough to pull the cable out. Sometimes the gradient of the ramp is not steep enough for the boat to roll off. Put the boat in reverse, release the lock or ratchet, and back off two or three feet. Once the cable pays out, put the boat in neutral and remove the hook. It may help to throttle forward a short distance to slacken the cable. Remove the hook and back the boat away from the ramp to a waiting area. Keep the boat clear of launch/retrieval area so other boaters can use the ramp.
Retrieving the boat
Check to see that all straps and cables are tight. Raise the lower unit. Plug lights in and check to see that they are operational. On a regular basis, nuts and bolts should be checked to make sure they are tight. Tires should be checked regularly and rotated. If your trailer is big, consider having it x-rayed once every 2-3 years for structural damage. This article is credited to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |