Stockport Flats

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), 845-889-4745; [email protected]
  • Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) 
    A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
• Location: Towns of Stockport and Stuyvesant, Columbia County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4T
• Map: View the Stockport Flats Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

Stockport Flats is the northernmost site in the Hudson River Reserve. It is located on the east shore in Columbia County, a few miles north of the city of Hudson.

Stockport Flats is a five-mile, narrow mosaic of landforms, including from north to south: Nutten Hook, a bedrock outcropping; Gay's Point and Stockport Middle Ground Island, dredge features that are both part of the Hudson River Islands State Park; the mouth of Stockport Creek, a large tributary stream; a portion of the upland bluff south of Stockport Creek; the dredge spoils and tidal wetlands between Stockport Creek and Priming Hook; and the northern end of Priming Hook. The Hudson is entirely tidal freshwater at this site.

Stockport Flats is dominated by freshwater tidal wetlands, including subtidal shallows, intertidal mudflats, intertidal shores, tidal marshes and floodplain swamps. Stockport Creek drains a watershed of about 500 square miles.

Nutten Hook at Stockport features the remains of the largest ice house on the Hudson, which is listed on the National and New York State Registers of Historic Places. Interpretive panels relate the history of the ice harvesting industry. There are hand boat launches on Ferry Road and Ice House Road. A loop hiking trail from Ferry Road goes to the ice house.

Hudson River Islands State Park is accessible by boat only. There is no entrance fee and no reservations are needed. The islands have day-use facilities including picnic areas with grills and a nature trail, as well as primitive campsites. Note that there are no docks; boats must be moored off the island or visitors can bring their kayaks/canoes on shore.

Accessible Features

From the Nutten Hook-Ferry Road Parking Area on Hudson River, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Fishing/viewing platform

From the Nutten Hook Icehouse Historic Site Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Picnic pavilion; and
• Portable toilet (seasonal)

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

• Ferry Road Parking Area and Hand Launch in the Nutten Hook part of the property (42.354304°N, 73.787426°W) Google Maps.
  • From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. Make a left onto Route 9J after crossing Stockport Creek. Make a left onto Ferry Road and follow it until you reach the river. If you see Ice House Road on your left with a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve you have just missed the turn for Ferry Road. The Federal Foot Path leading to the ice house is to the north (on your right as you head towards the water).
  • From the north: Take Route 9J south, which parallels the railroad tracks, toward Stuyvesant. Make a right onto Ferry Road. Ferry Road will be just after Ice House Road with a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, also on the right. Follow Ferry Road until you reach the river. The Federal Foot Path leading to the ice house is to the north (on your right as you head towards the water).
• Ice House Road Parking Area and Hand Launch in the Nutten Hook part of the property (42.358282°N, 73.787338°W) Google Maps.
  • From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. Make a left onto Route 9J after crossing Stockport Creek. Make a left onto Ice House Road, which has a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, and follow it until you reach the parking area.
  • From the north: Take Route 9J south, which parallels the railroad tracks, toward Stuyvesant. Make a right onto Ice House Road, which has a DEC sign for Nutten Hook Reserve, and follow it until you reach the parking area.
• Station Road Parking Area and Boat Launch in the southern part of the property (42.310310°N, 73.771897°W) Google Maps.
  • From the south: Travel north on Route 9 through the city of Hudson. After leaving the city, the road travels down a long hill, then goes over Stockport Creek. After crossing the bridge, take an immediate left onto Station Road. Travel about one mile until the road dead-ends at the river.
  • From the north: Take Route 9 through the town of Stuyvesant and make a right turn onto Station Road immediately before the bridge crossing Stockport creek. Travel about one mile until the road dead-ends at the river.
     

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Stockport Flats must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Life in the marsh is fragile. Visitors are encouraged to use this area with minimal disturbance to life in the marsh and associated natural areas. Please carry out what you carry in. The following activities are not permitted:

• Use of off-road vehicles
• Removing plants
• Collecting historic or prehistoric artifacts
• Fires (except in designated areas of Hudson River Islands State Park)
• Hunting or trapping in Hudson River Islands State Park

High speed trains are a serious hazard. Trespassing on railroad tracks or bridges is prohibited.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the 2019 Hudson River Research Reserve Management Plan (PDF, 5.8 MB). In addition to management objectives, this plan contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this plan, please send an email to the Research Reserve Manager at [email protected].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

• Lake Taghkanic State Park
• Rogers Island Wildlife Management Area
• Livingston State Forest
• New Forge State Forest

Gas, lodging, dining opportunities, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Hudson.

Columbia County Tourism can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.