MA > Boston Harbor Islands: Kayak Camping Hang?

**wbJohn** · 08-30-2018, 21:51

What do you think about a kayak camping hang on Peddocks Island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park in early June 2019? The campsites will not be officially open at that time but a "special use permit" is easy to get. The fee is very low at $8 for each site and there can be up to four people per site.

I have camped there several times before and there are plenty of trees to hangs from. There is fresh water and a composting toilet in the camping area. The ferry will not be running so private boats and kayaks would be the only way on or off the island except in an emergency.

What say you? Would you go? I would be delighted to organize it if so.

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**Snaggletooth** · 08-30-2018, 21:54

I would be interested.

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**SkyPainter** · 08-31-2018, 07:09

I would also be interested.

**bcliff** · 08-31-2018, 08:08

also interested. Where to folks typically launch from?

**Grumpy Squatch** · 08-31-2018, 09:13

Originally Posted by bcliff

also interested. Where to folks typically launch from?

Easiest is probably Hough's Neck in Quincy at the Maritime Center. It's a little over 1/2 mile to the end of Peddocks and 1.5 to the camping area. See https://paddling.com/paddle/trips/bo...0.9553&zoom=12 for a brief description. If one wanted to make a day paddle of it, launching from Hingham and paddling along World's End, around Sunset Point and into Hull Bay, then along the shore in Hull (with a stop at Bumpkin Island) makes it about a 6.5 mile paddle.

In my experience, the Hingham paddle is either a beautiful calm-water trip suitable for advanced beginners, or a nightmare if the wind is blowing from the east/northeast through the cut between World's End and Sunset Point in Hull. I've turned around more than once rather than deal with it. With tides running out it becomes a mess of mixed chop and inhospitable shoreline. But on a calm day it's amazing.

**wbJohn** · 08-31-2018, 20:58

Originally Posted by bcliff

also interested. Where to folks typically launch from?

The last two trips I've done were out of Hingham. The parking is free and plentiful and the Harbormaster there is great. I file a float plan and our cars are safe in the boat launch parking lot. If you paddle straight to the island it's just under five miles each way.

Grumpy is probably more familiar with the area, though. I just love the paddle through Hingham as long as it isn't low tide. The beach is a mud flat at low tide.

The DCR suggests parking in the Weymouth boat yard. They will provide free parking permits for campers.

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**tollermama** · 09-04-2018, 12:59

I might be interested. I would probably paddle in my canoe from Houghs Neck from my mother in laws house, she is right on the water. We will see depending on weather etc.

**heyduff** · 09-04-2018, 13:02

I would be interested.

**wbJohn** · 09-04-2018, 21:35

Originally Posted by tollermama

I might be interested. I would probably paddle in my canoe from Houghs Neck from my mother in laws house, she is right on the water. We will see depending on weather etc.

I'd love to see you come but would never want to put anyone in danger. The west gut is a heavily traveled channel, as you must already know. I wouldn't try it in an open canoe. The wakes give me enough trouble in a kayak with a spray skirt.

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**tollermama** · 09-05-2018, 11:54

thanks for your concern, yeah it can be busy. I might be able to get a kayak from my brother in law. or even a motor boat perhaps, not sure though. We will see. It all depends on the date. Dan and I usually go up to Maine sometime around then though.