The Saugatuck River in Westport

Directions to the Connecticut State Boat Rampon the Saugatuck River: You take I-95 north to exit 17. At the end of the ramp go straight down Park Street/Charles Street. Turn left onto Riverside Ave. Drive under the bridge (I 95) then turn right onto Bridge Street. Drive over the historic truss bridge. You will see signs for the public assess boat ramp. Turn right onto Compo Rd. S and the right before you go under the train tracks on to Elaine Rd. Follow this road to launch area under bridge (I-95).

When your day of kayaking in complete you can get a beer and burger at the Black Duck Bar and Grill. Standing on the boat ramp looking west across the river you will see a blue building that looks to be falling down. That is actually a barge (so I am told). This is the Black Duck Bar and Grill. To get there you need to cross back over the historic truss bridge (i.e. Bridge Street aka Rt 136). Turn left on to Riverside Ave. drive under I-95, through the traffic light and make an immediate left. The barge is in the back (on the river). There is an ATM machine in the Black Duck and they do take credit cards.

Saugatuck River State Ramp has plenty of free parking and it is only 4.5 nautical miles from the Norwalk Islands. This spot is perfect for the starting point of an overnight trip to the Norwalk Islands. It also makes for a healthy full day paddle around the Norwalk Islands (approximately 15 nautical miles round trip, but it can be made shorter by choosing to turn back at any of the islands). The coast guard has asked that the kayakers double up the cars in the parking lot (we need to leave room for trucks with boat trailers).

Saugatuck River State Ramp offers an alternate protected water paddle opportunity. Also, aside from the Norwalk Islands there is Bermuda Lagoon, Duck Creek, and Sherwood Millpond to paddle around in. The Boat Traffic is much less then around Calf Pasture Point and the Norwalk River.

Five Mile River in Rowayton

Kim Beaumont wrote

Hi Peter, There's a public dock on the Five Mile River in Rowayton. The launch is on Rowayton Ave, coming from I-95 Exit 12, turn south on Tokeneke Road. Tokeneke Road becomes Cudlipp when you cross the river, then it becomes Rowayton Ave when you enter town. Drive through town, past Rt 136 (which turns left), past the Rowayton Seafood Rest. The road will fork, keep to right into the street marked 'no outlet.' The Rowayton Community Beach is on your right. It is a town beach area with limited parking ? you may need to park on the street or in a business parking lot up the road after you unload your kayak ? best early or late in day, as is the kayaking! There's about 3/4 mile of river, leads out to Long Island Sound and the Norwalk Islands. Depending on your ability you can paddle the local islands and creeks or go further afield.

Kayak rentals can be acquired Downunder Paddling Rowayton Ave http://www.downunderk...

Kim Beaumont organizes the kayak meetup Downunder Paddling (in Norwalk!) http://paddling.meetu...

When your day of kayaking in complete you can get a bite at the River Cat Restaurant or Rowayton Pizza both on the right on Rowayton Ave as you drive out (north).

Kristia at EMS in Stamford said

the Grass Island Marina in Greenwich Harbor is a good launch spot.

See next post below for directions...

Kristia at EMS said the EMS "YAK ATTACK" tours launch from Grass Island after 6 PM and has not experienced any problems. Rumor has it that this is a popular spot for out of town fishermen that come in after the Dockmaster leaves for the day.

For more information on EMS "YAK ATTACK" tours http://kayaking.meetu...

Greenwich area boat ramps

Grass Island Marina in Greenwich Harbor located off Shore Road in central Greenwich just south of I-95. Take Exit 3 off of I-95, turn north on Arch Street. then left onto Horseneck Lane (before you pass under the train tracks). Make a left onto Shore Rd. then make a left on to Grass Island Rd. The ramp is on the left just passed the Dockmasters booth. The Greenwich website said there is no charge during the day for visitors using Grass Island Marina, but does not indicate if this includes kayaks or is just limited to mooring and slip use. The Grass Island Dockmaster's office can be reached at (203) 618-9695. The Dockmaster (who is responsible for monitoring the Marina) goes home after 5:30 PM. EMS "YAK ATTACK" tours launch from Grass Island after 6 PM and has not experienced any problems. Rumor has it that this is a popular spot for out of town fishermen that come in after the Dockmaster leaves for the day.

Update: I spoke with the Dockmaster and he said out-of-towners are not suppose to use the ramp, but that he will not bother us. He just wants us to be considerate and to park in the paved painted parking area. He asked that we not leave trash or get rowdy. Naturally, we should not interfere with residents trying to utilize the marina and we should avoid touching or bumping their boats.

When your paddle is complete you can get a beer and pizza at the Bruce Park Grill, 231 Bruce Park Avenue Greenwich. Retrace your drive back to the interstate, but at the end of Horseneck Lane instead of turning right to get to the on-ramp turn left onto Arch Street. Drive under the rail road track then turn right onto Bruce Park Avenue and drive through town. The Bar is at the intersection of Davis Street on the left. This is a dive bar that sells beer by the pitcher and individual pizzas. The pizzas are flat crispy crust style.

Cos Cob boat ramp next to the Mianus Boat and Yatch club. The ramp is located just east of the Cos Cob Train Station. Take Exit 4 off of I-95, turn north on Indian Field Rd. then right on to Sound Shore Rd. Pass under the interstate then turn left and go under the train tracks. Make a right onto Station Rd. The road will turn to the north and become Strickland Rd. Right after the road turns to the north, the municipal ramp is on your right. You are suppose to have a city issued ramp pass to launch at any of the Greenwich town ramps, but after hours there is no dockmaster to monitor you. Parking is in a municipal lot that has a sign that says $5 for day parking. Again, no one is around to monitor or collect money after 5:30 PM.

When your paddle is complete you can get a bite to eat at Top Dog in Cos Cob on River road. Top Dog sells fine grilled natural-casing Sabrett hot dogs with a lovely, surprisingly complex chili topping. Follow Strickland Rd. north, turn right onto Rver Road. At the traffic light cross Rt. 1 and the stand is on your left.

Stamford area put-in spots

Southfield Park in Stamford. The put-in is from a sandy beach on Stamford Harbor. Signs say parking by permit only, but rumor has it that after 6 PM the parking area is not monitored.

From I-95 Southbound: Exit 7
Go straight to Washington Blvd. Make a left onto Washington Blvd. Go under railroad trestle. Take right at second light onto Pulaski Street. At traffic light, go straight (Pulaski Street becomes Greenwich Ave at this light) then bear left. At next traffic light go straight (Greenwich Ave becomes Southfield Ave at this light). Southfield Park will be less then 1 mile on the left.

From I-95 Northbound: Exit 7
Make a right onto Greenwich Ave. Go under railroad trestle. Follow road around to right. At next traffic light go straight (Greenwich Ave becomes Southfield Ave at this light). Southfield Park will be less then 1 mile on the left.

When your paddle is complete you can get a beer and Seafood at the Crab Shell Restaurant (46 Southfield Avenue, Stamford Landing http://www.crabshell.... ). The Crab Shell is on your right when you drive north on Southfield Avenue.

West Beach Park in Stamford. The put-in is from either a sandy beach or a boat ramp Westcott Cove (Shippan area). Signs say parking by permit only, but rumor has it that after 6 PM the parking area is not monitored. There is a Little League ball field just outside the park where one might be able to park without getting a ticket.

From I-95: Exit 8 Turn south to on Elm Street. Make a right onto Jefferson St then another right onto Magee Ave. At traffic light, go straight (Magee Ave. becomes Shippan Ave. at this light) West Beach will be on the left.


When your paddle is complete you can get a beer and burger at the small bar and grill just over the sea wall south of the beach, Brennan's Restaurant, 82 Iroquois Road, Stamford. To get there, when exiting the Park turn left on Shippan Ave. You second left is Iroquois Road. The Restaurant is at the end of the Street.

Cove Island Marina in Stamford. The put-in is from a boat ramp at the south end of the parking lot. Parking is by permit between Memorial Day and Labor day, and unfortunately even 6 PM the parking area is monitored. .

From I-95: Exit 9 ...

When your paddle is complete you can get a beer and burger at the Jimmy's Seaside. ...

Thimble Islands, Stony Creek Town Dock on Indian Point Road
http://en.wikipedia.o...

From the East (i.e. Stamford driving toward New Haven): I-95 South to Exit 56, which is the Stony Creek exit. Take a left at the end of the exit ramp onto East Industrial Road and proceed .3 miles. Then turn left onto Leetes Island Road and continue 1.6 miles. At four-way intersection, continue straight onto Thimble Islands Road and proceed approximately .7 miles. Beach and Town Dock are on the right near the entrance of Indian Point Road.

From the West (i.e. Mystic driving toward New Haven): I-95 North to Exit 56, which is the Stony Creek exit. At the end of the exit ramp, take a right onto Leetes Island Road and continue for 1.5 miles. At four-way intersection, continue straight onto Thimble Islands Road and proceed approximately .7 miles. Beach and Town Dock are on the right near the entrance of Indian Point Road.

During the summer months they restrict kayak launches to the dock.
After you paddle there are a couple of restaurants right across the street from the beach. During the summer one serves take out pizza. You can also picnic on the grass next to the beach.

Preview: The Thimble Islands are a picturesque spot on the Connecticut coast. It?s as though the pink-granite-ringed islands of the Maine coast migrated south just off the quiet town of Stony Creek. On the marine chart, a rough count yields about 20 Thimbles lying just offshore pointing southwest, but in fact there are 365, of which 32 are habitable, according to Duncan and Ware. All of those have summer houses, most without heating, electricity, or running water. Some islands have just one house, while others make up clubby communities with special island associations. Commercial launches run between the islands during summer, transporting people, pets, and groceries. The Stony Creek Indians named the islands for the thimbleberry, a lesser cousin of the gooseberry. The largest island is Horse (17 acres) and the smallest is Dogfish (0.75 acre). Captain Kidd is said to have had a lookout on High Island and buried treasure on Money Island. All the islands are private, so landing is not possible.

Info on our paddle (Sept. 22, 2007): http://kayaking.meetu...

Here is a great resource page for put-in spots: http://www.ct-amc.org...

Mianus Pond in Cos Cob (Greenwhich) is 53-acres in size and stretches from the Post Road all the way north to the Stamford town line. The Mianus River, a source of drinking water for the Town of Greenwich, is protected at least in part by a divided complex of Park lands, nature preserves, and conservation areas along its shores. The pond, designated as an emergency water supply, begins at the dam just north of the Post Road and extends to about 200 feet north of Palmer Hill Bridge. The Pond was created in 1926 when the railroad damned the river to impound fresh water for the Cos Cob Power Plant. After the closing of the plant, the Town acquired both the properties from the State in 1989. The pond hosts a variety of wild life, most notably are turtles, which can be observed sunning along the banks. The bird population is rich and varied. Yellow Warblers and Red-eyed Vireos sing loudly during summer months and are joined in spring and fall migrations by many other colorful species. Although rarely observed, weasels, mink and even river otter thrive in the Mianus River waters.

The Kayak put-in spot is on the Cos Cob side, just south of Palmer Hill Bridge. Take Exit 4 off of I-95, turn north on Indian Field Rd. then right on to Sound Shore Rd. Pass under the interstate then turn left and go under the train tracks. Make a right onto Station Rd. The road will turn to the north and become Strickland Rd. After the road turns to the north it passes under I-95. Turn right onto River Road. Follow River Road across the Post road to Valley Road. Turn right onto Valley Road and continue north to Palmer Hill Road. At the intersection of these two roads, before crossing the bridge is a small park with a boat launch area. There is only enough parking for a few cars. The boat launch is only for manpowered crafts and is no utilized much my the general public. This makes Mianus Pond a very peaceful paddle location.

Halloween Yacht Club in Stamford. This is not a public put-in. The put-in is behind the kayak racks into a lagoon that leads to Westcott Cove (West Beach in the Shippan area of Stamford). The Yacht Club and parking area is a is private facility open only to Halloween Yacht Club members and their guests.

From I-95: Exit 8 Turn south to on Elm Street. Make a right onto Jefferson St then another right onto Magee Ave. At traffic light, turn to the left onto Shippan Ave. (caution: if you go straight Magee Ave. becomes Shippan Ave. at this light). On the left you will see an ice cream shop and on the right there is an antique dealer. Immediately past the antique dealer is a road called Seaview Ave. The yacht club parking is at the end of the road on the left.

Several members of SKG are Halloween Yacht Club members. To use this facility you must be invited by one of them as their guest. Do not use this put-in if you are not with a Halloween Yacht Club member. Memebrs of SKG are not given open use and access to the Halloween Yacht Club facility.

Constitution Marsh, Cold Spring NY

Constitution Marsh Sanctuary is a unique 270-acre tidal marsh managed by the National Audubon Society. It is on the east side of the Hudson River two miles south of the town of Cold Spring, and is directly opposite the West Point Military Academy. The marsh is an irreplaceable habitat and provides refuge for birds, fish and other wildlife of the Hudson River Estuary.

Take the Taconic Parway north, exit onto Route 301 going west to Village of Cold Spring. At the Cold Spring traffic light, go left onto Route 9D. Approximately 2 miles down the road, take a right onto Indian Brook Road. Go down Indian Brook Road about 1/2 mile and look for the National Audubon parking area on the right hand side. Park and walk to your right. Walk through the gates and down the hill to the nature center.

Foundry Cove, Cold Spring(kayak launch to paddle into Constitution Marsh)

Near the foot of Main Street in Cold Spring, turn left, then right to cross bridge over RR tracks. Turn left into Metro North parking lot. Launch site is to the right of the parking lot. Park in the lot on weekends, inside the launch area during the week.

The kayak launch is directly across from the train station parking lot where there is unlimited free parking on the weekends. Here is the link for a local outfitter and map of the area: http://www.hudsonvall...