Paddling Ganargua Creek at Norsen Bridge Park ~ Newark, NY

Padding Ganargua Creek at Norsen Bridge Park

I find nothing quite as relaxing as kayaking. That might sound counterintuitive, considering the work involved, but I find the coasting on the water so tranquil. We discovered this lovely paddling spot while searching for Kraai Preserve. Norsen Bridge Park is something of a hidden gem, as it isn’t really on people’s radar and is genuinely unknown except by locals. We were quick to return and plunk our kayaks in the creek and enjoyed a fun afternoon kayaking on Ganargua Creek.

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Paddling Ganargua Creek

We found the kayaking here a little different from other destinations we’ve visited. Ganargua Creek is quite wide at Norsen Park but almost completely surrounded by woods, creating a tunnel of lush green around the dark, “muddy” waters of the creek. It is for that reason that this creek is often called Mud Creek. What struck me about kayaking here was how quiet it was. We were the only people on the creek, and it felt like we were the only people in the world. There was such peaceful seclusion here.

We started by exploring the bridge’s remains, which is close to the launch. (Incidentally, the boat launch is handicap accessible.) After that, we turned around and went upstream against the current. Be warned, while the water looks flat and calm, there is quite a current. By paddling upstream against the current, I afforded us the opportunity to expend less energy on the way back when we might be tired. We found that we could have floated all the way back if we wanted to; the current was that strong. It reminded me of a water ride at Disney.

Another thing that should be noted was there were a large number of downed trees in the creek. They were passable, but you need to be exceptionally careful when kayaking around large trees submerged in water.

Seeing Wildlife

The secludedness of the Creek made this an excellent place to see wildlife. We saw so many green herons as well as other birds swooping in and around the creek. There were turtles sunning themselves on half-submerged logs, fish jumping out of the water, and all sorts of dragonflies.

Enjoying the Rest of the Park

This is a big open park with a small playground and picnic pavilion. There are grills and picnic tables, but not much else in this small park in the way of amenities. The attraction of this park is the boat launch and the scenic beauty of Ganargua Creek. A small stretch of lawn follows the creek upstream a bit. This is a nice place for a creekside picnic.

Cross County Skiing and Snowshoeing at Norsen Bridge Park

We happened to visit this park in the winter, and it was absolutely beautiful. This park is perfect for people who enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing because the park has so much open area. The Creek also looks stunning in the wintertime. This park is the picture-perfect winter wonderland.