Saugerties and Esopus Creek are located off the Hudson River near Tivoli Reach about 11 miles north of Kingston and 50 miles south of Albany. The first interesting portion of your visit will come when you pass the 138-year-old Saugerties Lighthouse on the north shore of the inlet. The lighthouse still casts a bright white light out on to the Hudson River, but it is also a popular bed and breakfast where guests can enjoy an overnight view of the water. Ashore there are interesting sights and scenes to visit including an interactive historic museum.

On April 27, 1677, New York's Governor Andros signed an agreement with the Esopus Indian Kaelcop, chief of the Amorgarickakan Family, to purchase the land, which is now Saugerties. The price was a blanket, a piece of cloth, a shirt, a loaf of bread, and some coarse fiber.
In 1710, one of the largest eighteenth century migrations of European people to America took place. Three hundred families from the Palatine region of Germany sailed 110 miles north on the Hudson River, and established camps on the east and west side of the Hudson in October of 1710. The camp on the west side of the river became known as West Camp in the Town of Saugerties.

Its location on the Hudson made Saugerties ideal for harvesting ice from the river. The ice industry thrived during the 1880's to 1900's. Icehouses were located in Glasco and Malden. Ice was also harvested on the Upper Esopus and on the Sawyerkill.

The Hudson River was the major water route from New York City to Albany. Saugerties shared in the benefits offered by the river and the Esopus Creek, which flows into the Hudson providing docking facilities for passenger and commercial boats. The C. Vanderbilt was the first Steamboat to ply the waters between Saugerties and New York City. By 1830 the village warranted a steamboat line; a night boat for freight and one for passengers to New York City.

Today, Saugerties thrives on tourism as the mainstay in its economy.

Portions Courtesy Town of Saugerties

Use NOAA Chart 12347.

The preliminary approach to Esopus Creek is marked by quick flashing green buoy “91” to the south and flashing red buoy “94” to the north. If you are arriving from the south, keep an eye out for the unmarked jetty that protrudes from the west just below the creek opening. Having cleared either of the approach buoys to the north or south, you will next head toward flashing green “93” and the unique Saugerties Lighthouse on the north shore of the inlet (one of many interesting lighthouses scattered along the Hudson River).

Esopus Creek has a couple of very nice marinas, but one in particular will accept transient guests and can facilitate repairs and haul-out. There is an excellent anchorage area up the creek near its bend, but be sure not to proceed much farther, as depths shallow quickly.

Local Notices to Mariners are now exclusively available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Town of Saugerties