Four-Mile Point Preserve Kayak Access Guide - Coxsackie, NY

Quick Verdict

Four-Mile Point Preserve is a place Paddle Greene wants to understand better, not a plug-and-play launch recommendation. Scenic Hudson manages the preserve, and it is described in paddling circles as a scenic Coxsackie-area Hudson access point with wildlife and views. The catch: there is a reported carry of approximately 1/4 mile to the water, and that is on the tidal Hudson. Before anyone loads a boat based on this guide, they should scout the carry, the launch surface, and the tide. If you want a confirmed Coxsackie-area launch right now, start at Coxsackie Riverside Park.

Scout or Launch?

This is a scout page, not a launch recommendation.

Before treating Four-Mile Point as a go-to put-in, answer these questions for yourself:

• Have you walked the carry? A 1/4-mile carry with a loaded kayak is a different proposition than the map suggests.
• Have you seen the launch surface? Sand, mud, and rock all change the equation.
• Do you know the tide for the day you are going?
• Are you comfortable on the tidal Hudson once you are out there?

If you cannot answer yes to all of these, scout before you paddle. Walk the carry, check the beach, and watch the river before committing to a launch day.

Best For / Not Ideal For

Best for:

• Experienced paddlers who want to assess a scenic, less-trafficked Hudson access point
• Birding and wildlife outings with your own gear
• Anyone doing a scouting trip on foot before a future paddle day
• Nature walkers using the preserve trails regardless of paddling

Not ideal for:

• Beginners or casual paddlers
• Anyone who needs a confirmed, predictable launch
• Loaded car-top boats without a prior scouting trip
• Windy days or days with significant tidal movement

Carry and Access Notes

The carry from parking to the water at Four-Mile Point is reported as approximately 1/4 mile. Paddle Greene has not measured this or confirmed the surface. That is roughly 400 meters with a loaded kayak - not an obstacle for a prepared paddler, but a real logistics factor that needs to be scouted before committing to a paddle day.

What is unknown:

• The exact carry distance and route
• The launch surface (beach type, erosion, mud risk)
• Whether the carry is practical at all tide stages
• Parking location, capacity, and condition
• Whether the access point is clearly marked for paddlers
• Any preserve rules about where boats can enter the water

If you have walked this carry or launched from here recently, submit a launch update so Paddle Greene can move this from scout to confirmed.

Hudson River Safety Notes

Four-Mile Point puts you on the tidal Hudson. Everything that applies to any Hudson River launch applies here, compounded by the fact that this is an unconfirmed, less-developed access point without dock infrastructure:

• Tide and current: The Hudson tides actively. Check the tide prediction and understand which stage you are launching into and which you will be paddling back against.
• Wind: Open Hudson exposure is real. Wind against current creates steep chop quickly. Know the forecast, not just the morning condition.
• Boat traffic: Commercial and recreational traffic uses this stretch of the Hudson. Stay close to the Greene County shore, be visible, and understand right of way.
• Water temperature: Cold water is a serious hazard in spring and early summer. Dress for immersion, not for the air temperature.
• Emergency egress: At a developed launch with a dock and a parking lot, getting off the water in an emergency is straightforward. At an unconfirmed natural access point, that egress may not be obvious. Know your plan before you are out there.

See Before You Paddle and Conditions before you go.

Would I Bring a Beginner Here?

Beginner candidate only after field review - not today.

This is not a beginner-friendly launch as it stands. A reported 1/4-mile carry plus tidal Hudson exposure is a combination that requires experience, solid self-rescue skills, and the ability to read the river. A beginner should not be introduced to the Hudson at an unconfirmed, unimproved access point.

At most, Four-Mile Point could be considered a beginner candidate only after a field review confirms the carry distance and surface, the launch beach, and safe near-shore conditions - and given the tidal Hudson, even a good field review may not make this a true beginner site. We will not label it beginner-friendly on desk research alone.

Until that review happens, the easier, confirmed Coxsackie-area option is Coxsackie Riverside Park: a hard-surface ramp, two paddler-friendly docks, verified parking, and real amenities. Start there. Come back to Four-Mile Point later, when you have the river experience to handle it and the time to scout it properly.

What Still Needs Field Review

This guide cannot move from scout page to launch recommendation until the following are answered from the ground:

• Carry: Measured distance, surface type, and whether it is practical with a loaded kayak
• Launch beach: Condition, tide sensitivity, erosion, and mud risk
• Parking: Is there a lot? How many spaces? What is the condition?
• Signage: Is the access clearly marked for paddlers, or do you have to find it?
• Tide window: At what tide stage is this launch usable?
• Preserve rules: Any restrictions on boats, carry routes, or access hours?
• Near-shore safety: What are the safe paddling options from this point? Emergency exits?
• Coordinates: Verify the exact launch point from Scenic Hudson or a field visit before publishing a map pin

Nearby Alternatives

For a confirmed Coxsackie-area Hudson launch:

• Coxsackie Riverside Park - hard-surface ramp, two kayak/fishing docks, 26 total parking spaces, seasonal restrooms. The baseline for this area.

For a nearby Hudson access point with a different character:

• Nutten Hook - a different Hudson access situation south of Coxsackie; check current status

If the Hudson looks rough:

• Greene County lake options are the reliable backup when the Hudson is windy. See Windy Hudson Backup Paddles for the full calm-water lake list, or Where to Paddle for current options.

Local Note

Four-Mile Point Preserve is a Scenic Hudson property, and the trails are open for walking regardless of whether you are paddling. If you make a scouting trip, the trail visit is worthwhile on its own. Watch for waterfowl, raptors, and the river views the preserve is known for. And if you scout the carry and the launch, send Paddle Greene a field report - that is exactly the kind of information that turns a scout page into a real guide.

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How to use this guide: How to use these guides safely · Before you paddle · Conditions · Map · Field review status · Where to Paddle

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Safety framing note for reviewer: This guide carries tidal-hudson and long-carry hazard tiers, safetyReviewed: false, and a beginnerRecommendation that frames the site as a "beginner candidate only after field review" - explicitly NOT beginner-friendly on desk research, and not "yes" for a tidal-hudson/long-carry page without a field review (per the safety model). The beginner section directs beginners to Coxsackie Riverside Park in the meantime. The safety section in the body covers tide, wind, boat traffic, water temperature, and emergency egress. Please review and set safetyReviewed: true once confirmed correct. Consider also whether readBeforeYouDrive: true is appropriate given the carry logistics and tidal exposure.