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New York | Essex County / Keene and Elizabethtown

Boquet RiverRoute 73 North Fork Boquet access to the public DEC primitive site above Split Rock Falls

A planning-only approximately 3.9-mile Class IV–V upper Boquet River reach from the public DEC Boquet River parking/access area on Route 73, through the North Fork/main-branch confluence, to the DEC primitive tent-site riverbank immediately upstream of Split Rock Falls. American Whitewater identifies the route’s whitewater character and hazards, while NYSDEC identifies public Route 73 access, the public riverbank camping area, and the hard Split Rock Falls boundary. This card ends above the falls and does not endorse running or scouting the falls from the water.

Route location

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DistanceApproximately 3.9 river miles from the Route 73 North Fork access to the DEC Boquet River primitive-area endpoint above Split Rock Falls
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 1–3 hours depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
Split Rock Falls on the Boquet River, used as route-specific context for the Route 73 to Split Rock Falls whitewater reach.
Route photoSplit Rock Falls on the Boquet RiverPhoto by Wikimedia Commons

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Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 3.9 river miles from the Route 73 North Fork access to the DEC Boquet River primitive-area endpoint above Split Rock FallsRoute 73 North Fork Boquet access to the public DEC primitive site above Split Rock Falls
DifficultyhardAmerican Whitewater rates the reach Class IV–V and names the Shoebox, boulder gardens, Andy’s Hole, and Split Rock Falls. High consequence hydraulics, steep creek character, cold water, wood, uncertain exact landing, and limited bailout options require expert whitewater judgment and a conservative take-out above the falls.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle only after confirming the DEC Split Rock Falls/primitive-area access and a safe legal carry from the riverbank to the road, then shuttle to the Route 73 Boquet River parking area. Keep a contingency vehicle and early-exit plan; do not block Route 9 or use the falls-viewing parking area as an unverified boat staging area.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current NYSDEC Giant Mountain Wilderness and Hammond Pond Wild Forest rules, designated-site and first-come camping rules, boating/PFD requirements, traffic and parking restrictions, and posted closures. Public navigation does not authorize private-bank landing or informal portage.
CampingOptions nearbyThe DEC primitive tent site on the Boquet River bank immediately upstream of Split Rock Falls provides a nearby public camping context and is generally accessible by hiking or paddling. It is first-come, tents-only DEC camping; use only the marked site under current rules, do not camp at the parking area or falls, and do not treat the campsite as permission to land elsewhere on the river.
SeasonMar-JunAmerican Whitewater describes this as a short, steep Class IV–V creek run with flow-dependent hazards. Treat it as a spring or rain-fed planning window only; local depth, trend, cold water, wood, and every rapid must be inspected in person.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A planning-only approximately 3.9-mile Class IV–V upper Boquet River reach from the public DEC Boquet River parking/access area on Route 73, through the North Fork/main-branch confluence, to the DEC primitive tent-site riverbank immediately upstream of Split Rock Falls. American Whitewater identifies the route’s whitewater character and hazards, while NYSDEC identifies public Route 73 access, the public riverbank camping area, and the hard Split Rock Falls boundary. This card ends above the falls and does not endorse running or scouting the falls from the water.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

NYSDEC Boquet River Parking Area / Route 73 North Fork access
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Route 73 coordinate is the DEC Boquet River Parking Area and public-access context, not a formal DEC hand-launch listing. Confirm the exact river entry and unloading position from the ground.

Finish

Take-out

NYSDEC Boquet River primitive tent-site riverbank above Split Rock Falls
Open mapDirections to take-out

The primitive-site coordinate is an approximate public DEC riverbank/campsite anchor derived from the DEC description and mapped Boquet River Primitive Area. Confirm the marked campsite, waterline, legal carry, and current occupancy before relying on it as a take-out.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Route 73 coordinate is the DEC Boquet River Parking Area and public-access context, not a formal DEC hand-launch listing. Confirm the exact river entry and unloading position from the ground.
  • The primitive-site coordinate is an approximate public DEC riverbank/campsite anchor derived from the DEC description and mapped Boquet River Primitive Area. Confirm the marked campsite, waterline, legal carry, and current occupancy before relying on it as a take-out.
  • Split Rock Falls Parking Area is a public sightseeing parking area, not a substitute for a water take-out. The route ends above the falls and does not claim a downstream landing or portage.
  • Do not land, scout, portage, or camp on private banks, road shoulders, bridge structures, or unmarked paths. Reopen the route if DEC or local managers publish a more precise paddling access point.

Watch for

  • USGS 04275500 unavailable or inconsistent with local Boquet flow, rapidly rising rain-fed water, cold water, low water, and poor daylight margin
  • Shoebox, boulder gardens, Andy’s Hole, strainers, bedrock ledges, steep banks, and Split Rock Falls
  • Route 73 parking/carry, primitive-site marker and occupancy, Route 9 traffic, private-bank boundaries, and the mandatory take-out above the falls

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Split Rock Falls on the Boquet River, used as route-specific context for the Route 73 to Split Rock Falls whitewater reach.
Split Rock Falls on the Boquet RiverPhoto by Wikimedia Commons
Route-specific public-domain/Commons context photograph; falls are a mandatory endpoint boundary

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named advanced corridorRoute 73 to Split Rock Falls; Class IV–V; approximately 3.9 miles

    American Whitewater publishes the matching route, class, length, Route 73 North Fork start, whitewater character, Shoebox, Andy’s Hole, and Split Rock Falls hazard boundary.

    Source

  • Public upstream access contextNYSDEC Boquet River Parking Area on Route 73 and easy public access along Route 73

    NYSDEC lists the Boquet River Parking Area at 44.1051, -73.6920; its North Fork survey states there is easy public access along Route 73. Verify the water entry in the field.

    Source

  • Public riverbank endpoint and campingDEC primitive tent site on the Boquet River bank just upstream of Split Rock Falls

    NYSDEC describes the primitive site as being on the Boquet bank and usually accessible by hiking or paddling. This route uses the site only as a conservative take-out boundary above the falls, pending field confirmation of the landing.

    Source

  • Route-specific flow referenceAmerican Whitewater’s East Branch Ausable proxy gauge context

    The listed gauge is not on the Boquet. USGS provides current continuous and daily records, but the station is used only for broad trend context and no numeric cutoff is asserted.

    Source

  • Safety and public-navigation boundaryNYSDEC land rules, public access, and public-navigation guidance

    DEC’s current land pages document parking, public river access, camping, and safety resources; separate navigation guidance does not create a blanket right to use private banks for access or egress.

    Source

  • Approved route imageSplit Rock Falls on the Boquet River

    The Wikimedia Commons photograph is route-specific context for the named falls and is not presented as a current flow or runnable-line image.

    Source

  • Same-river proxy gaugeUSGS 04275500, Ausable River near Au Sable Forks, NY

    USGS 04275500 is a current continuous/daily Ausable River station used by American Whitewater as the route flow reference, but it is not on the Boquet and cannot certify local runnable flow. Treat it as a broad regional proxy only; local water level, recent rain, trend, temperature, wood, and scouting control.

    Source

  • Safety and river conditionsCheck live gauge, recent rainfall, trend, debris, bridges, and access conditions before launch

    American Whitewater / NYSDEC Giant Mountain Wilderness / NYSDEC Hammond Pond Wild Forest and its linked safety material warn that conditions change rapidly and require local inspection.

    Source

  • Image decisionApproved watershed/proxy-gauge context image used for route presentation

    The image is clearly labeled as watershed/proxy-gauge context and does not claim to depict this exact reach.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Keep exploring

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Nearby routes within 75 miles

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Quick answers

Boquet River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Route 73 North Fork Boquet access to the public DEC primitive site above Split Rock Falls route on the Boquet River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Route 73 North Fork Boquet access to the public DEC primitive site above Split Rock Falls route on the Boquet River start and end?

This route starts at NYSDEC Boquet River Parking Area / Route 73 North Fork access and ends at NYSDEC Boquet River primitive tent-site riverbank above Split Rock Falls, Approximately 3.9 river miles from the Route 73 North Fork access to the DEC Boquet River primitive-area endpoint above Split Rock Falls on the water.

Is the Route 73 North Fork Boquet access to the public DEC primitive site above Split Rock Falls route on the Boquet River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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