Launch type 
Water type 
Parking 
Beginner friendliness Quick Verdict
RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary is one of the most rewarding quiet-water paddles near Catskill: a sheltered tidal swamp rich with birds and bald eagle habitat, an observation tower, and storage racks for paddlers. The catch is the access. Reaching the water means a 0.6-mile flat portage down Old Farm Road, so this is a spot you earn.
Where It Is
The sanctuary is a tidal swamp connected to Catskill Creek and the Hudson, managed by Audubon New York and Scenic Hudson just outside the village of Catskill. The water is sheltered and intimate rather than open and exposed, which is exactly what makes it good for wildlife paddling.
Note on directions: the put-in is the Old Farm Road hand-carry access. We have not yet confirmed exact coordinates for it (public source data placed the pin at Dutchman's Landing), so the map pin is left off this guide for now. Confirm the access point locally before you go.
Launch and Parking Notes
The verified essentials:
- Parking: 12 single-car spaces, no trailer parking
- Launch: hand-carry only, with a 0.6-mile flat portage down Old Farm Road to the water
- Storage: kayak storage racks on site
- Nearby: a 28-foot wildlife observation tower and tidal swamp trails
A boat cart helps a lot with the carry. Travel light and plan the portage into your timing both ways.
What the Paddle Is Like
Inside the sanctuary the water is calm and sheltered, winding through a tidal swamp that is one of the best birding paddles in the area. Because it is tidal, water levels rise and fall with the Hudson, which affects depth and how far you can explore. Aim for higher water, watch for snags and shallow mud at low tide, and keep noise down to enjoy the wildlife.
Would I Bring a Beginner Here?
Short answer: Yes for the water, with a caveat about the carry.
The paddling itself is calm and beginner-friendly, but the 0.6-mile portage is real work, and the tidal timing matters. A beginner who is fine with the carry and goes near high water will have a lovely, low-stress paddle.
Kayak, Canoe, and SUP Notes
Kayaks
The best fit here. A shorter, maneuverable kayak suits the winding swamp channels.
Canoes
Great for wildlife watching and carrying optics, though the portage is more of a chore with a canoe; a cart helps.
Paddleboards
Possible on calm, higher water, but shallow, snaggy tidal swamp is not ideal SUP terrain, which is why the SUP rating is cautious.
Family Notes
The observation tower, trails, and wildlife make this a memorable outing for older kids who can handle the 0.6-mile carry. It is less suited to very young children given the portage and the muddy, tidal shoreline. PFDs for everyone on the water, as always.
What to Check Before You Go
- The tide, and aim for higher water for easier paddling
- Whether you have a cart for the 0.6-mile portage
- Weather and bug conditions (it is a swamp)
- Sanctuary rules and hours
- Water temperature in spring and early summer
- See Before You Paddle for the full checklist
Bottom Line
RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary trades easy access for a genuinely special paddle: sheltered tidal-swamp water, an observation tower, and some of the best birding around. Bring a cart for the 0.6-mile carry, go near high water, and confirm the Old Farm Road put-in before you go.
