Pumpkin Patch Channel is a tidal channel within Jamaica Bay, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in New York City. The primary and most referenced access point for paddlers is the North Channel Bridge launch, located on the west side of Crossbay Boulevard. This site features a sand and pebble beach launch, a parking lot, an information kiosk, and seasonal restrooms. The launch is open daily from 5 am to 9 pm. It is important to note that landing kayaks on the shoreline of the adjacent Rulers Bar Hassock island is prohibited, as it is a protected wildlife refuge. The channel heads south from this western parking lot, providing a route along the edge of the salt marsh. Paddling conditions are heavily influenced by tides; low tide reveals extensive mudflats, which can make the launch area muckier. The National Park Service offers guided "Pumpkin Patch Channel Excursion" tours from this launch, providing kayaks, gear, and instruction, though reservations are required. The overall character of the paddle is a cloistered, quieter route along the marsh edge, offering viewing opportunities for wading birds. The channel is situated within the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a vital habitat for turtles, birds, and other fauna. The area has historical significance, including past oyster cultivation and being the site of the 1962 American Airlines Flight 1 crash. Jamaica Bay has experienced significant marshland loss over the decades, and while water quality has improved, pollution remains an issue, historically leading to closures of shellfishing. The channel is used by more experienced paddlers as a starting point for longer trips into the bay, and it is near other marsh features like Black Wall Marsh and Elders Point Marsh.