Saugerties Village Beach — Attraction in Town of Saugerties

This public beach is a great please to drop your kayak into the Esopus for a short but scenic upstream paddle.

I believe you need a permit to use the concrete ramp, but the grassy land slopes gently enough to allow for an easy launch without it.

You'll pass through a sparse residential area perched high on the banks above. Notice the makeshift stairways lending creek access to the homeowners.

During my visit I had the opportunity to observe a bald eagle as it clung proudly to a branch, watching for prey.

This pleasant paddle eventually winds through rocky cliffs and gorgeous rugged terrain, finally becoming too shallow to navigate.

Enjoy the gentle paddle back to the beach, but don't venture too far downstream- the route leads to a...

This is the very small Saugerties (NY) Village beach and playground. Right off busy rt 9W, on Barkley's pond above Barkley's dam on the Esopus Creek. The water is NYS class 2 (bathable). Good, small newish, concrete boat launch ramp next to a newish aluminum dock. The beach is perhaps 50-60 yards long, block toilet building, a float 10 yards out, lifeguard. Open daylight hours, swimming if lifeguard on duty, parking, walk up Partition St to Main St for shops, restaurants and bars. I live here; my favorites: Jose's for lunch, Slices for pizza, Dutch Tavern for dinner and bar food, Main St Restaurant for Mexican, Tomo Sushi (drive to), Hudson Valley Dessert Company, Alleyway Ice Cream and...

I remember swimming here as a kid with my older brothers and sisters. The town would always have an active lifeguard there, and each summer, they would have swim lessons for the kids. This was a happening place back in the 80s and 90s and holds a special place in my heart.

There was a news paper article one year that featured all of the kids doing lessons. I remember getting Italian ice across the way, going to fays, and the gas station to get 5 cent bazooka joe gum....I know I sound old...but these good times were only...