Lake Awosting - Minnewaska State Park - New Paltz, NY
This makes for a very long, but worthwhile day! Total walking mileage is 6+ miles but Lake Awosting has no paved road access - there are no crowds when you get there. The hike is entirely on carriage paths, no hills! (But you can take an alternate and more challenging path on the last mile or so.) Bring a swimsuit. Go in July or August and enjoy the wild blueberries. For a shorter trip, go to Awosting Falls, then follow the Beacon Hill carriageway and trail and return for a swim at Lake Minnewaska.
Directions: I-87 to New Paltz Exit. Follow signs West thru New Paltz.
Phone number: 845-255-0752
Distance from Midtown: ~90 miles/2 hrs. 15 min.
Reservations Required: No
Type of Outing: Hiking/Swimming
Age recommended for: All
Level (1-5): 3
Recommended Season: Summer
Delaware River
Landers is further upriver and costs a little more. Pack Shack is in the Delaware Water Gap and has great rates for nonprofit groups. Bring buckets for water fights!
Driving Directions: Visit web sites for Landers or Pack Shack.
Phone number: 800-252-3925 (Landers) or 570-424-8533 (Pack Shack)
Reservations required: Yes
Type of outing: Rafting
Age recommended for: Middle School, High School
Level: 2
Recommended Season: Summer
Soundwaters, Cove Island, CT
You can rent canoes, and their staff will canoe with you on a tour of the cove. Afterwards you can visit their small aquarium and see the fish feeding at 1:00. It may also be possible to swim at their beach. Be sure to get a parking pass before going.
Driving Directions: See their web site at http://www.soundwaters.org/.
Distance from Midtown: ~30 miles ~1 hour
Phone number: 203-406-3319
Reservations required: Yes
Type of outing: Canoeing
Age recommended for: Any
Level: 1
Recommended Season: Summer
Carmens River and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
Canoeing/Kayaking and nature hike.
Phone Number: Wertheim NWR: (631) 286-0485; Glacier Bay Sports (Bellport): (631) 286-0567
Distance from Midtown: ~ 65 miles, ~ 1 hour 25 minutes
Reservation Required: Not for WNWR; recommended for Glacier Bay
Age recommended for: Elementary, middle and high school
Level: 1 (recommended that younger children be in double kayak or canoe with and adult)
Recommended season: Spring, Fall (for migrating birds) and Summer
Nissequoque River
Canoeing/Kayaking and nature hike.
Phone Number: Nissequoque River Canoe & Kayak Rentals, 516 979-8244
Distance from Midtown: ~ 65 miles, ~ 1 hour 25 minutes
Reservation Required: Recommended for rentals
Age recommended for: Elementary, middle and high school
Level: 1 (recommended that younger children be in double kayak or canoe with and adult)
Recommended season: Spring, Fall (for migrating birds) and summer