Kayak On The Hudson River To The Esopus Meadows Lighthouse
Roundtrip: 1 mile
Features: Hudson River, Historic Lighthouse
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Get There: 41°52’02.6“N 73°56’41.5“W
Built in 1831, the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse, the “The Maiden of the Meadows,” is the only wooden lighthouse that still remains on the Hudson River, providing an obvious reminder of a time when it served to warn seamen of the dangerous Meadow Preserve mud flats that would claim their vessels.
The Save Esopus Lighthouse Commission (SELC) began restoring the structure in 1990 and offering tours of this historic landmark. Be sure to call ahead so you can dock your kayak and take a look around. And if you’re up for a longer adventure, check out the many kayaking tours that will take you along the multiple lighthouses along the Hudson River.
Photos and Words by Brianna Stachowski
“To prepare for this trip we made sure our kayaks wouldn’t fly away, then grabbed our life jackets and prayed for good weather.”
“The Sea Celery, which is abundant in the Meadows Preserve, offered both a safe-haven from the river’s current and created a beautiful sea-top landscape to gaze upon.”
“Paddling out into the Hudson is exhilarating. It can also be terrifying because the current is sometimes unforgiving.”
“The waterways through the mudflats in the Meadows Preserve appear as if they go on forever…traveling into the mountains beyond.”
