Hudson Valley Attractions | ||
Albany CountyBoat Launch |
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All Albany Listings
Albany Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site in Albany | ||
The Albany Boat Launch Site on the Hudson River is located at Corning Preserve, Colonie Street, off Route 787, Albany, NY. more . . . | ||
Corning Preserve | 518-434-2489 | |
Albany Corning Preserve and Jennings Landing is located along the Hudson River at Albany, NY 12207 in Albany County. The Corning Preserve Ramp is at I-787. Jennings Landing is located at 1 Quay Street. more . . . | ||
Jennings Landing at The Corning Preserve | ||
Jennings Landing at Albany Corning Preserve is located along the Hudson River at 1 Quay Street, Albany, NY 12207 in Albany County. Jennings Landing at the Corning Preserve is home to an 1,000-seat Amphitheatre which hosts events from Spring through Fall. more . . . |
All Albany County Listings
Albany County Boat Launch |
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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 . . . | ||
Long Path Trail 27 - 31: Hiking / Biking Northern Catskills | ||
Long Path Trail 27 - 31: Hiking / Biking Northern Catskills
"As the Long Path heads west and then north, the tall mountains of the Catskills are soon left behind; they become lower and lower until they are mere hills standing above the plain. Much of the trail now parallels the Schoharie Valley, an important route into the Catskills from points north. Early Dutch settlers made their homes here; there are many reminders of their past in the names of the places one passes. A major feature of the area is the reservoir complex maintained by the New York State Power Authority. In addition to hydroelectric power, the Schoharie Reservoir is a member of the great Catskill water reservoirs that supply distant New York City with clean drinking water." more . . . | ||
Long Path Trail 32 - 36: Hiking / Biking Capital District | ||
Long Path Trail 32 - 36: Hiking / Biking Capital District
"These northern sections of the Long Path slope down from the edge of the Catskills into the Mohawk River Valley. The hills of the western sections give way to gentle rises and falls shaped by glaciers and water punctuated by sharp cliffs of escarpments formed by tilted rock layers. Most of the lands have been settled for a long time and have remained productive farm or forest. Much of the trail passes through nature that has been coerced by civilization to behave in certain ways, either by being farmed for generations, or used as a managed forest for the supply of lumber." more . . . |
All Berne Listings
Berne Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site Berne | ||
The Berne Boat Launch Site on Thompsons Lake is located at 68 Thompsons Lake Road in Thacher State Park, East Berne, NY 12059 (Boat launch at NY Route 157, 1/4 mile north of its' junction with NY Route 157A) in Albany County. more . . . |
All Bethlehem Listings
Bethlehem Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site Bethlehem | ||
The Bethlehem Boat Launch Site on the Hudson River is located at Henry Hudson Park, off Lyons Road, approximately 1/2 mile north of the Hamlet of Cedar Hill on NY Route 144, Bethlemhem, NY in Albany County. more . . . | ||
Henry Hudson Park | 518-439-4955 | |
Henry Hudson Park is located off Route 144 in Cedar Hill along the banks of the Hudson River, Bethlehem, NY 12158 in Albany County.
From Town of Bethlehem: "The facilities include a boat launch for motorized craft, a boat launch for kayaks, canoes and other hand-powered craft, picnic areas with grills, softball field, playground, volleyball court, horseshoes, gazebo, pavilion, and accessible fishing area. All playing fields and the playground are tobacco-free zones." website and more . . . |
All Coeymans Listings
Coeymans Boat Launch |
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Boat Launch Site Coeymans | ||
The Coeymans Boat Launch Site on the Hudson River is located off Route 144 in the hamlet of Coeymans in Albany County. more . . . |
All Delmar Listings
Delmar Boat Launch |
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Elm Avenue Park | 518-439-4955 | |
Elm Avenue Park, offers summer and winter activities for the whole family, including the dog; is located at 445 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054, Albany County.
From Town of Bethlehem: "The town's largest park is located on Elm Avenue, one-fourth mile south of the Delmar bypass (Route 32). The park includes a pool complex, tennis and basketball courts, pavilions, fitness trail, playing fields, volleyball courts, shuffleboard, a dog park, and a playground. The basketball courts and four tennis courts are lit at night beginning in late May until late October. Winter facilities include a large ice skating rink, sledding hill, cross country skiing, and an area for snowmobiling. website and more . . . | ||
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center | 518-475-0291 | |
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 450-acres in size, offering 10 miles of trails that are easy to moderate, is located at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY in Albany County.
Five Rivers is a living museum comprising over 450 acres of broad fields, towering forests, and tranquil wetlands. Five Rivers offers people of all ages a rich variety of guided and self-guided opportunities to encounter nature directly. Stimulating interpretive programs and guided school lessons promote awareness, knowledge and appreciation of New York State's environment year 'round. With over 10 miles of trails for self-guided exploration, Five Rivers fosters discovery, spiritual refreshment and physical fitness through wholesome outdoor recreation. website and more . . . |
All East Berne Listings
East Berne Boat Launch |
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Thompson's Lake Campground | 518-872-1674 | |
Thompson's Lake Campground in Thacher State Park is located at 68 Thompsons Lake Road, East Berne NY 12059, Albany in the Hudson Valley.
"Thompson's Lake Campground, nestled in the mountains just four miles from the Helderberg Escarpment, is a popular camping ground and recreation area. Conveniently located within Thacher State Park, this campground offers 140 wooded campsites and is comprised of a sandy beach, mixed hardwood and conifer forests, limestone outcroppings and open fields. Recreational opportunities include a volleyball court, horseshoe pits, a playing field, swingsets, carry-in boat access, rental row boats, fishing areas, and nature trails. Interpretive and recreational programs are offered for campers throughout the summer. During the winter, visitors can cross-country ski and ice fish. website and more . . . |
All Voorheesville Listings
Voorheesville Boat Launch |
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John Boyd Thacher State Park | 518-872-1237 | |
Thacher State Park aka John Boyd Thacher State Park, is located at 1 Hailes Cave Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186 in Albany County and the Capital District of New York.
"Thacher State Park is situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The park has volleyball courts, playgrounds, ball fields and numerous picnic areas with nine shelters that can be reserved. Interpretive programs are offered year-round, including guided tours of the famous Indian Ladder Trail. There are over 25 additional miles of trails for summer hiking and mountain biking, and winter cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and snowmobiling. website and more . . . |
More Hudson Valley Boat Launch |
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Columbia County [6 listings over 5 locations]
Dutchess County [10 listings over 6 locations]
Greene County [5 listings over 3 locations]
Orange County [10 listings over 5 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 |