- 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; [email protected]
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- 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.
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; 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 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.