Own boat, canoe, or kayak and ready to take on the open waters? Take your boat, canoe, or kayak to these public boat launches in the NY metro area to captain your own adventure!
Boat, Canoe, and Kayak-Accessible Launches
Own a boat? You can start your aquatic adventure at one of these public boat launches! Details are subject to change, we recommend calling ahead before setting sail! Want to rent a boat, kayak, canoe, or pedal boat for an aquatic adventure? Check out these places in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland where you can rent boats. Looking to cast a line? This is where you can go fishing in NYC, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island.
Long Island
Suffolk County
Captree State Park
eastern tip of Jones Beach Island, Babylon
631-669-0559; http://nysparks.com
Public boat launch available for boats larger than 14 feet. Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards can be launched from The Overlook.
Heckscher State Park
Heckscher Parkway Field 1, East Islip
631-581-2100; http://nysparks.com
Along with a publicly accessible boat launch, Heckscher allows canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and windsurfing.
Orient Beach State Park
Route 25, Orient
631-323-2440; http://nysparks.com
Visitors to Orient Beach can go kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and windsurfing. A map of kayak trails is available in the park office.
Sunken Meadow State Park
Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway
631-269-4333; http://nysparks.com
Though the golf course is one of the park’s main attractions, public launches are available for canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and windsurfing.
Wildwood State Park
790 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River
631-929-4314; http://nysparks.com
Wildwood is comprised of 600 acres of forest, but it’s beach accessible, as well. Launch a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board.
Suburbs
Rockland County
Nyack Beach State Park
698 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack
845-358-1316; http://nysparks.com
You can launch a kayak or windsurfing board along 61 acres of riverfront on the Hudson.
Rockland Lake State Park
299 Rockland Lake Road, Congers
845-268-3020; http://nysparks.com
The boat launch is accessible for car-top boats only.
Westchester County
Croton Point Park
1A Croton Point Ave., Croton-on-Hudson
914-862-5290; http://parks.westchestergov.com
Traverse the Hudson River after launching your canoe, car-top carried boat or sailboard from Croton Point Park.
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park
2597 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights
914-245-4434; http://nysparks.com
Launch a canoe, kayak, or rowboat in this park named for the 32nd president of the United States.
George’s Island Park
Dutch Street, Montrose
914-737-7530; http://parks.westchestergov.com
George’s Island’s boat launch accommodates boats up to 21 feet in length.
Glen Island Park
1 Pelham Road, New Rochelle
914-813-6720; http://parks.westchestergov.com
Access to the Long Island Sound for boats up to 21 feet in length.
Fairfield, CT County
Candlewood Lake
Sherman
860-354-6928; http://candlewoodlakeauthority.org
Boat launches can be found in multiple locations on Candlewood Lake, and you can also enjoy the water in your canoe, kayak, or stand up paddle board.
Indian Well State Park
1 Indian Well Road, Shelton
203-735-4311; http://ct.gov
Come for the public boat launch, stay for the view of the waterfall.
Squantz Pond State Park
178 Shortwoods Road, New Fairfield
203-312-5023; http://ct.gov
Squantz Pond, along with canoe and kayak rentals, also has a public boat launch.
