The Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park is still
the ONLY small boat livery service on the Hackensack River!

Paddling Center Hours: 9am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays

After an absence of more than fifty years, Hackensack Riverkeeper restored river-based recreation to the region in 1999. Now featuring a fleet of twenty-six canoes and kayaks, we look forward to giving you the opportunity to enjoy and explore the river and the Meadowlands through our rentals and guided tours.

Our paddling activities originate from our Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park (which also serves as Hackensack Riverkeeper's field office). The park is located at the end of New County Road in Secaucus, NJ and is easily accessible from NJ Turnpike Exit 15-X (Eastern Spur) and the train station at Secaucus Junction. The park is situated directly on the river at the southern end of the New Jersey Meadowlands. Across the river from the park is the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area – a terrific place for exploration and wildlife viewing. Here's how to enjoy it:

Canoe/Kayak Rentals ~ Guided Paddles ~ Frequent Paddlers

 Canoe Project

Canoe and Kayak Rentals
Beginning on Saturday, April 20th the Paddling Center will be open weekends from 9AM until 6PM through the end of October, weather permitting.
Reservations are recommended, but not required, and are subject to availability.
Please call 201-920-4746 for rental reservations.
The Paddling Center will be OPEN on Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4th.

CANOE RATES (per day):
$25 per paddler
$15 per passenger
You must have two paddlers per canoe. At least one (preferably experienced) paddler must be a legal adult. Teens 15 and older may substitute for the 2nd adult paddler. Up to three adults, or two adults with one or two children is a comfortable fit.

KAYAK RATES (per day):
$25 per paddler
No passengers.
You must have at least one (preferably experienced) legal adult paddler per kayak.Teens may paddle in a tandem kayak if the other paddler is an experienced legal adult. We have single and tandem kayaks.
NO solo paddling is permitted, so if you want to paddle a single kayak,bring a buddy for a second boat.

Each paddler will be provided with a whistle, paddle and laminated map in addition to a short paddling lesson and river orientation. Everybody weighing about 70 lbs and up will be issued and must wear a Personal Flotation Device. Smaller participants must have their own US Coast Guard-approved PFD.
Be sure to bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent.
Consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, camera, field guide,snacks and anything else that will make your day more enjoyable.
If possible, carry your gear in a waterproof bag.

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Guided Paddles
Guided Paddles are a great way to experience the Meadowlands. Enjoy a leisurely, two-hour paddle through the marshes of the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area with an experienced guide. In addition to sightseeing and wildlife watching, you will learn a good bit about the natural and human history that has shaped the region. Generally, low tide trips are best for wildlife-watching and high tide trips are best for sightseeing.

COSTS: $30 per paddler / $15 per canoe passenger /
$15 per paddler with own boat

Reservations are required for all Guided Paddles
and must be secured with a credit card.
To make reservations or to get more information,
please contact our Program Director Hugh Carola at 201-968-0808. Upon reserving, your trip confirmation and directions
will be mailed to you.

2013 Guided Paddle Schedule


APRIL

Saturday, April 20, 10:30 AM - Birding / Low Tide
Sunday, April 21, 11 AM - Birding / Low Tide

MAY

Saturday, May 11, 3 PM - Birding / Low Tide
Sunday, May 12, 10 AM - Incoming / High Tide
Saturday, May 25, 2 PM - Outgoing Tide &
7 PM - Full Moon / Incoming Tide
Sunday, May 26, *9:30 AM - 2:30 PM Half-day Paddle*

JUNE

Saturday, June 1, *Reservoir Challenge (Call for details)*
Saturday, June 8, 2 PM - Outgoing / Low Tide
Sunday, June 9, 9 AM - Incoming / High Tide
Sunday, June 16, 9 AM - Overpeck Regatta (201-446-2652)
Sunday, June 23, 7:30 PM - Full Moon / Incoming Tide

JULY

Thursday, July 4, 10 AM - Outgoing Tide
Saturday, July 13, 10 AM - Incoming Tide
Sunday, July 14, 1:30 PM - High Tide
Monday, July 22, 7:30 PM - Full Moon / Incoming Tide
Saturday, July 27, 1 PM - High Tide
Sunday, July 28, 9 AM - Outgoing / Low Tide

AUGUST

Saturday, August 10, *Lake Tappan Paddle Day*(Call for details)
Saturday, August 17, 10 AM - Outgoing Tide
Sunday, August 18, 11 AM - Outgoing Tide
Tuesday, August 20, 7 PM - Full Moon / Incoming Tide

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 14, 10 AM - Birding / Outgoing / Low Tide
Sunday, September 15, 10 AM - Birding / Outgoing / Low Tide
Thursday, September 19, 6:30 PM - Full Moon / Incoming Tide

* The Reservoir Challenge requires separate registration,
and takes place on the Oradell Reservoir in Haworth

** The Overpeck Father's Day Regatta takes place at Overpeck County Park in Leonia and is organized by the Overpeck Preserve.
Please call 201-446-2652 for reservations.

*** Lake Tappan Paddle Day requires separate registration.
Crossed-out dates indicate the trip is full or the date is past

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Hackensack Riverkeeper's Frequent Paddler Discount Program
Each time you take out a canoe or kayak (independently or as part of a tour), you will receive credits towards discounts, bonuses and benefits. What are they? You'll just have to come down to Laurel Hill Park to find out.

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Please note: ALL paddling is subject to weather and water conditions.
Any decision to close the livery or cancel a group tour will be made by our paddling center staff.

Sorry, our canoes and kayaks are not appropriate for fishing or hunting.

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 Have your own canoe or kayak?
Want to paddle other sections of the river?
The Public Trust Doctrine holds that all waterways belong to all the people of a society, whether it be for recreation, navigation or sustenance. It is therefore your right to take your own canoe or kayak out on the river and it's tributaries whenever you like, PROVIDED you access the water from public property (or private property with permission). The exceptions to this rule are the reservoirs of the Hackensack River watershed: Lake DeForest, Lake Tappan, Woodcliff Lake and the Oradell Reservoir. There are many public parks along the river where you can launch, as illustrated in this MAP created by Tom Hart, local photographer and Hackensack Riverkeeper volunteer. This document also provides descriptions of many public access points. Please just be aware of the tides, and plan your paddling accordingly - many locations north of Hackensack are inaccessible for several hours around low tide due to mud flats.


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For information and reservations, contact
Hugh Carola: 201-968-0808 or Hugh@HackensackRiverkeeper.org

For printed directions, return to the Eco-program page.

Tide Chart for the River

See you on the river!