Stockport Flats
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), 845-889-4745; hrnerr@dec.ny.gov
- Enforcement Matters: 518-408-5850 (24/7) or 911
- Location: Towns of Stockport and Stuyvesant, Columbia County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4T
- Map: View the Stockport Flats Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Stockport Flats is the northernmost site in the Hudson River Reserve. It is located on the east shore in Columbia County, a few miles north of the city of Hudson.
Ice was once harvested from the Hudson River and
stored in this icehouse to later be sold. Ice harvesting
was historically a large industry on the Hudson.
Stockport Flats is a five-mile, narrow mosaic of landforms, including from north to south: Nutten Hook, a bedrock outcropping; Gay's Point and Stockport Middle Ground Island, dredge features that are both part of the Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website); the mouth of Stockport Creek, a large tributary stream; a portion of the upland bluff south of Stockport Creek; the dredge spoils and tidal wetlands between Stockport Creek and Priming Hook; and the northern end of Priming Hook. The Hudson is entirely tidal freshwater at this site.
Stockport Flats is dominated by freshwater tidal wetlands, including subtidal shallows, intertidal mudflats, intertidal shores, tidal marshes and floodplain swamps. Stockport Creek drains a watershed of about 500 square miles.
Nutten Hook at Stockport features the remains of the largest ice house on the Hudson, which is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places. Interpretive panels relate the history of the ice harvesting industry. There are hand boat launches on Ferry Road and Ice House Road. A loop hiking trail from Ferry Road goes to the ice house.
Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website) is accessible by boat only. There is no entrance fee and no reservations are needed. The islands have day-use facilities including picnic areas with grills and a nature trail, as well as primitive campsites. Note that there are no docks; boats must be moored off the island or visitors can bring their kayaks/canoes on shore.
Featured Activities
Participants canoe Stockport Creek and out to
Hudson River Island State Park as a part of the
Reserve's public canoe program.
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The Federal Footpath extends 1/3 mile north from the Ferry Road parking in the Nutten Hook part of the property. It skirts a steep knoll along the edge of a freshwater wetland. At the historic ice house ruins, the River View Trail heads south over the knoll back to the Ferry Road parking area.
There is also a nature trail on the Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website), which can only be accessed by boat.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Short-term primitive camping is allowed on the Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website), which can only be accessed by boat. It is a first come first served park for camping. There is no entrance fee and no reservations are needed.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There are two canoe/kayak launches on the Nutten Hook part of the property, one on Ferry Road and one on Ice House Road. Free public canoe programs are available throughout the summer.
Boating
General information on boating includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations and lists of DEC boat launches by county.
A boat launch at Stockport Creek provides access for car-top and small trailered boats. It is not advisable to launch large trailered boats due to limited water depths in general (average water depth of less than 6 inches at low tide) and low clearance under the railroad bridge at high tides.
Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website) is accessible by boat only. Note that there are no docks; boats must be moored off the island or visitors can bring their kayaks/canoes on shore.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Fishing is allowed in season with a valid state license.
Hunting & Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Hunt or trap in season with a valid state license except in Hudson River Islands State Park, where hunting and trapping are not allowed.
Picnicking
Ferry Road, at the south end of the Nutten Hook part of the property, is equipped with an electronic gate and signal at the railroad crossing. A small parking area (2-3 cars) is available on Ferry Road, past the row of houses. Visitors may access picnic tables at the historic ice house via foot trails from Ferry Road. There is also an accessible path and picnic gazebo down Station Road, north of the Stockport Creek boat launch parking area, which is available year-round and provides visual access to the river.
Hudson River Islands State Park (leaves DEC website) has day-use facilities that include picnic areas with grills and a nature trail. The islands of the park are accessible by boat only.
Watchable Wildlife
General information on watchable wildlife includes tips for viewing wildlife and links to other watchable wildlife locations.
Birdwatch from the overlook at the Souther's Road and at Nutten Hook.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
There is an accessible path and picnic gazebo down Station Road, north of the Stockport Creek boat launch parking area, which is available year-round and provides visual access to the river.
Directions
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
- Ferry Road Parking Area and Hand Launch in the Nutten Hook part of the property (42.354304°N, 73.787426°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website).
- From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. Make a left onto Route 9J after crossing Stockport Creek. Make a left onto Ferry Road and follow it until you reach the river. If you see Ice House Road on your left with a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve you have just missed the turn for Ferry Road. The Federal Foot Path leading to the ice house is to the north (on your right as you head towards the water).
- From the north: Take Route 9J south, which parallels the railroad tracks, toward Stuyvesant. Make a right onto Ferry Road. Ferry Road will be just after Ice House Road with a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, also on the right. Follow Ferry Road until you reach the river. The Federal Foot Path leading to the ice house is to the north (on your right as you head towards the water).
- Ice House Road Parking Area and Hand Launch in the Nutten Hook part of the property (42.358282°N, 73.787338°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website).
- From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. Make a left onto Route 9J after crossing Stockport Creek. Make a left onto Ice House Road, which has a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, and follow it until you reach the parking area.
- From the north: Take Route 9J south, which parallels the railroad tracks, toward Stuyvesant. Make a right onto Ice House Road, which has a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, and follow it until you reach the parking area.
- Station Road Parking Area and Boat Launch in the southern part of the property (42.310310°N, 73.771897°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website).
- From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. After leaving the city, the road travels down a long hill, then goes over Stockport Creek. After crossing the bridge, take an immediate left onto Station Road. Travel about one mile until the road dead-ends at the river.
- From the north: Take Route 9 through the town of Stuyvesant and make a right turn onto Station Road immediately before the bridge crossing Stockport creek. Travel about one mile until the road dead-ends at the river.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Stockport Flats must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Life in the marsh is fragile. Visitors are encouraged to use this area with minimal disturbance to life in the marsh and associated natural areas. Please carry out what you carry in. The following activities are not permitted:
- Use of off-road vehicles
- Removing plants
- Collecting historic or prehistoric artifacts
- Fires (except in designated areas of Hudson River Islands State Park)
- Hunting or trapping in Hudson River Islands State Park
High speed trains are a serious hazard. Trespassing on railroad tracks or bridges is prohibited.
Planning and Management
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the 2019 Hudson River Research Reserve Management Plan (PDF, 5.8 MB). In addition to management objectives, this plan contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
If you have questions and/or comments about this plan, please send an email to the Research Reserve Manager at hrnerr@dec.ny.gov.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Lake Taghkanic State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Rogers Island Wildlife Management Area
- Livingston State Forest
- New Forge State Forest
Gas, lodging, dining opportunities, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Hudson.
Columbia County Tourism (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
