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5 CONNETQUOT RIVER

OVERVIEW Known to Native Americans as “The Great River,” the Connetquot is another of Long Island’s four major rivers. It originates from a freshwater spring near the center of the island in the town of Islandia. It then flows south for 6 miles, almost entirely within the boundaries of the Connetquot River State Park, before finally emptying into the Great South Bay. Unfortunately, boating of any kind is prohibited on the river while it flows through state-park property. Such a prohibition limits paddlers to the lower, estuarine portion of the river, south of NY 27 (Sunrise Highway).

More limitations exist on the lower portion of the Connetquot. Although paddling on this portion of the river is permitted, access is severely limited. Most of the river’s shores are lined with homes and private property. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation maintains a few fishing-access points near Sunrise Highway but prohibits boat launching from any of them. This leaves paddlers with a single launching site on the Connetquot: Timber Point County Park.

Timber Point’s amenities include ample parking, picnic tables, and a sandy beach for launching. In addition, its location, near the mouth of the Connetquot, puts boaters on the river poised for a trip north toward Sunrise Highway or south to the Great South Bay and Heckscher State Park. Although these are its only two paddling options, the Connetquot has always been, and will likely remain, a local favorite.

USGS Quadrangles

BAY SHORE EAST (NY)

Timber Point County Park to Sunrise Highway and Back

Level		2A
Distance		6 miles round-trip
Time		3–4 hours
Navigable Navigablehs		Year-round
Hazards		Boat traffic
Portages		None
Rescue Rescue		Easy
Tidal Tidals		Any
Scenery		B–B+

5 DESCRIPTION The Connetquot is quite wide near the put-in at Timber Point, with both shores being extensively developed. The eastern shore contains some fairly large boatyards and yacht clubs, while the western shore is lined with houses. Head north along this shore, and these houses eventually give way to a pristine, scenic shoreline 1 mile north of Timber Point. At this point you will reach the Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s southernmost boundary. Considering the lack of open space on the river’s shores, the natural beauty of the arboretum is welcoming.

Since it was laid out in 1887, this arboretum has, according to its benefactor, Mrs. William Bayard Cutting, served to “provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest, and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty.” Anyone with time on his or her hands should definitely pay this amazing park a visit. Please note, though, that landing boats is not permitted along the arboretum’s shoreline. Its small coves, inlets, and tiny islands are a pleasure to paddle among, however.

After 2 miles, you’ll reach the arboretum’s northern terminus, where houses dominate the shoreline once again. The Dowling College campus is visible directly across from the river at this point. First a Vanderbilt family mansion, the property was also home to a group of metaphysicians, the site of the National Dairy Research Lab, and part of Adelphi University. Since 1968, it has been known as Dowling College. Lucky paddlers may share the river with Dowling’s crew teams as they scull along its length during their workouts.

You’ll come to a fork in the river just after the Dowling campus. Here paddlers can head left (west), straight ahead, or right (east). The left branch takes paddlers through a narrow canal lined with private homes before it dead-ends at a low-hanging railroad trestle after about 2,000 feet of paddling. Heading straight or right leads around either side of a small island with a large cedar-shingled house situated firmly in its center. This portion of the Connetquot also dead-ends just south of NY 27 (Sunrise Highway).

After turning around, paddlers may head back to Timber Point County Park the way they came or take a slightly different path, through a canal that joins the eastern shore of the Connetquot 1 mile south of the turnaround. This canal is an excellent place to paddle, especially when you desire a closer, more intimate setting. Waterfront homes and their associated docks and boats line both sides of the passageway, but the water is always still, the people are friendly, the boats move slowly, and the sights are plentiful. With a bit of faith, perseverance, and 0.5 mile of paddle strokes, the houses even disappear, leaving nothing but a quiet and peaceful stretch of water.

A few side channels along the length of the canal can easily be explored should time allow. Otherwise, the canal will empty into the river just 1.5 miles after it starts, directly across from Timber Point County Park. From there, paddlers may head southeast, past the large boat marinas toward the mouth of the Connetquot, or simply due south to reach the take-out. Keep in mind, however, that boat traffic can be quite busy in this portion of the river. Paddlers should take great care when crossing the river and be sure to stay within the boating no-wake zone for ultimate safety.

SHUTTLE DIRECTIONS To get to Timber Point County Park, take NY 27 (Sunrise Highway) to Exit 46 (Connetquot Avenue). Head south on Connetquot Avenue 0.75 mile, cross over Montauk Highway, and continue heading south on Great River Road. Look for the entrance to Timber Point County Park after 1.5 miles, just before the road turns sharply to the right.

HEADING DOWN A CONNETQUOT CANAL

GPS COORDINATES

Put-in/take-out

N40° 43.381′ W73° 08.863′

Tide station

Great River, Connetquot River, NY

N40° 43.398′ W73° 09.102′