Kayaking Near Windham, Hunter, and Tannersville, NY
If you are staying in the mountaintop towns - Windham, Hunter, Tannersville, Haines Falls, Maplecrest, Jewett - the paddling near you is small, calm mountain lakes, not the Hudson. That is good news: these are the most relaxed paddles Greene County has, and one of them usually fits whatever kind of day you want. This page routes you to the right lake; the full details live on each lake's own guide.
These guides are desk-researched from public sources. Rentals, fees, motor rules, and seasonal access change, and each linked guide lists exactly what still needs an in-person check. Confirm details before you go.
Quick answer
Want rentals and zero logistics? Rip Van Winkle Lake in Tannersville, with Tanners Boathouse rentals reported in season. Bringing kids? C.D. Lane Park in Maplecrest is the family pick. Want quiet? Colgate Lake near Jewett, no motors and no crowds. Want the full scenic-day-out version? North-South Lake near Haines Falls, inside the state campground.
The four lakes compared
| Lake | Nearest town | Motors | Rentals | Field review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.D. Lane Park | Maplecrest (near Windham) | None | Seasonal, on site (reported) | Desk-researched |
| Colgate Lake | Jewett | None | Bring your own | Desk-researched |
| North-South Lake | Haines Falls | None (per NYSDEC) | Seasonal (reported) | Desk-researched |
| Rip Van Winkle Lake | Tannersville | Unconfirmed | Tanners Boathouse, seasonal (reported) | Desk-researched |
If you are in Windham or Maplecrest
C.D. Lane Park is your local lake: a calm, no-motor town park with a beach launch, a swimming beach, restrooms, and seasonal rentals reported all in one place. It is the most family-friendly water on the mountaintop. When you want a change of scenery, the other three lakes are a short drive away.
If you are in Hunter or Jewett
Colgate Lake near Jewett is the quiet one: a no-motor lake with an undeveloped feel and no facilities, which is exactly the appeal if you want stillness over amenities. Bring everything you need, including your own boat.
If you are in Tannersville or Haines Falls
Rip Van Winkle Lake sits right in Tannersville and is the easiest no-gear paddle on the mountaintop when Tanners Boathouse is running - confirm the season and hours before counting on it. North-South Lake near Haines Falls is the bigger day out: a scenic mountain lake inside a state campground, busier in season, with day-use facilities and rentals reported.
Renting instead of hauling a boat up the mountain
Three of the four lakes report seasonal rentals, which makes the mountaintop one of the better places in Greene County to paddle without owning gear. None of the rental operations are confirmed by an in-person review yet, so treat season, hours, and pricing as things to call ahead about. The rentals and no-gear guide has the wider picture.
What to check before you go
These lakes are calmer than the Hudson, but calm is not a promise. Before you head out:
- Wind: open water catches afternoon gusts, even on a small mountain lake.
- Water temperature: mountain lakes stay cold well into the season - dress for the water, not the air.
- Motor and boat rules: they vary by lake and need confirming on each guide.
- Rentals, fees, and access: seasonal and changeable; verify before you drive.
Run the conditions checklist and the Before You Paddle basics first.
Related guides
- Mountaintop lake paddles compared - the four lakes side by side in more detail
- Beginner kayaking in Greene County
- Family-friendly paddling
- Best places to kayak in Greene County
Find all four lakes on the map. Paddled one recently, or rented on the mountaintop? Send an update - current rental and access notes are exactly what these desk-researched guides need.
