Launch type 
Water type 
Parking 
GPS coordinates 
Beginner friendliness Quick Verdict
Nutten Hook gives Hudson paddlers a pair of cartop launches, at Ferry Road and Icehouse Road, on the tidal Hudson in Stuyvesant, just north across the river corridor from Coxsackie. It is a useful access option for paddlers near the Coxsackie side who already read river conditions. It is the tidal Hudson, though, so wind, current, tide, wakes, and boat traffic all matter, and this is a desk-researched entry we have not field-visited yet.
Where It Is
The Nutten Hook launches are in Stuyvesant, in Columbia County, on the east-side corridor of the tidal Hudson, roughly across the river from the Coxsackie side of Greene County. There are two cartop access points to know, Ferry Road and Icehouse Road, both listed on the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. We have not field-visited either one, so treat parking, the carry, and access details as desk-researched until we confirm them in person.
Launch and Parking Notes
These are cartop, hand-carry launches rather than hard-surface trailer ramps, so plan to carry your boat from the parking area to the water. The two access points, Ferry Road and Icehouse Road, are listed as Hudson River Greenway Water Trail sites. We have not confirmed parking capacity, the launch surface, or the carry distance at either spot, so treat the following as needs verification:
- Parking location and capacity at Ferry Road and Icehouse Road
- The launch surface and carry distance to the water
- Restrooms or facilities (currently unknown)
- Current access rules and any seasonal status
Have a backup plan in case parking is limited.
What the Paddle Is Like
This is the tidal Hudson, not a calm pond. Expect wind, current, and tide to shape the day, plus wakes from motorboats and the possibility of larger commercial traffic in the river corridor. On a settled, low-wind day with a favorable tide it can be a scenic open-water river paddle; on a windy day, or with wind opposing the current, the same stretch can get rough quickly. Plan around the tide and the forecast rather than just the clock, and keep your plan conservative.
Would I Bring a Beginner Here?
Short answer: Only with caution and an experienced partner.
This is a reasonable access point for paddlers who already read river conditions, and it can work for a newer paddler alongside a more experienced partner who handles the tide and wind planning. It should not be treated like a small calm lake. Check the day's wind, tide, and current, which set how manageable this stretch feels in practice.
Kayak, Canoe, and SUP Notes
Kayaks
A reasonable fit for paddlers comfortable on moving, tidal water. Pick a low-wind window and mind the tide.
Canoes
Workable for experienced canoeists, but open canoes are more exposed to wind and wakes on a river like this. Watch conditions.
Paddleboards
The most exposed option here. SUP is best saved for calm, low-wind days with a leash and PFD, which is why our SUP rating is cautious. When in doubt, choose a lake instead.
Family Notes
The cartop launches can suit a family outing for paddlers who already know the river, but the water is a tidal river, not a splash-around kids' lake. If you bring kids on the water, keep the outing short, watch conditions closely, and make sure everyone is in a properly fitted PFD.
What to Check Before You Go
- Tide and current timing for the day
- Wind speed and direction (and whether wind opposes the current)
- The full weather forecast for your window
- Water temperature, especially in spring and early summer
- Motorboat and commercial traffic in the river corridor
- Parking availability at Ferry Road and Icehouse Road (have a backup)
- See Before You Paddle for the full checklist
Nearby Launches and Alternatives
- Coxsackie Riverside Park, a Hudson launch with a hard-surface ramp on the Greene County side
- Dutchman's Landing Park, Catskill, another tidal Hudson access point
- Athens NYS Boat Launch, with a dedicated paddle launch nearby at 4th Street
Field Review Notes
Current status: Desk-researched
Still Need to Verify
- Parking location and capacity at both access points
- Launch surface and carry distance
- Restrooms and any facilities
- Current access rules and seasonal status
- Photos
Bottom Line
Nutten Hook is a useful pair of cartop Hudson launches near the Coxsackie side for paddlers who already read river conditions. Treat the water with normal tidal-river respect, plan around tide and wind, keep your plan conservative, wear your PFD, and confirm parking and access before you drive out. We will firm up the details after a field visit.
