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

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 & Kayak Rentals
Beginning on Saturday, April 25 the Paddling Center will be open weekends from 9AM until 6PM through the end of October, weather permitting. We will try to accommodate mid-week appointments for groups, but reservations are required and subject to availability. Please call 201-968-0808 to inquire.
The Paddling Center will be OPEN on Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4th.

CANOE RATES (per day):
$25 per paddler
$10 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.

Please Note: Reservations are not required but encouraged and can be arranged by calling Nick Vos-Wein during the week at 201-968-0808. On weekends, we recommend you call the Paddling Center at 201-920-4746 to check on vessel availability.

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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.

This year we are also offering three Sightseeing Guided Paddles, which will feature a tour of the Hackensack River proper The Sightseeing Tours will take you either upstream to the Anderson Creek Marsh (High Tide) or downstream to the Osprey Platform in Jersey City (Low Tide). We are also offering a late-summer sunset Guided Paddle, and a Father’s Day Guided Paddle on the Overpeck Creek.

COSTS: $30 per paddler / $15 per canoe passenger / $10 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.

2009 Guided Paddle Schedule

APRIL

Sunday, April 26, 1 PM, Low Tide / Birding / NPC

 

MAY

Sunday, May 10, 9 AM, High Tide
Sunday, May 10, 1:30 PM, Low Tide / Birding
Saturday, May 16, 1:30 PM, High Tide
Sunday, May 17, 2 PM, High Tide / Sightseeing
Saturday, May 23, Noon, Low Tide / Birding
Sunday, May 24, 1:30 PM, Low Tide
Saturday, May 30, 1:30 PM, High Tide

JUNE
Saturday, June 13, Noon, High Tide
Sunday, June 14, 1 PM, High Tide / Sightseeing
Saturday, June 20, Noon, Low Tide
Sunday, June 21, 9 AM, Overpeck Father's Day (Call 201-446-2652)

JULY

Sunday, July 5, Noon, Low Tide
Saturday, July 11, 10 AM, High Tide
Sunday, July 19, 10 AM, Low Tide / Sightseeing
Sunday, July 26, Noon, High Tide

 

AUGUST

Sunday, August 2, 9:30 AM, Low Tide / Birding
Saturday, August 8, 9 AM, High Tide
Saturday, August 15, 9 AM, Low Tide
Sunday, August 30, 9 AM, Low Tide

 

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 5, 1 PM, Low Tide / Birding
Saturday, September 5, 5 PM, High Tide / Sunset
Saturday, September 19, 12:30 PM, Low Tide / Birding
Sunday, September 20, 9 AM, High Tide
Saturday, September 26, 2 PM, High Tide


Crossed-out dates indicate the trip is full (or date is past).


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PRIVATE GUIDED PADDLES are also available for groups of six paddlers or more. Those wishing to arrange for such an outing should call Nick as early as possible to inquire about availability and scheduling. Costs for private guided paddles are $30 per paddler / $20 per canoe passenger with a $200 minimum. Most guided paddles take place in the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area but arrangements can be made to have our boats brought to other locations as well for an additional fee.

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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
Project Manager, Nicholas Vos-Wein.

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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~ 2009 Staff & Volunteer Application ~
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

For more information on any of these programs, contact Nicholas Vos-Wein: 201-968-0808, 201-920-4746 or Nick@HackensackRiverkeeper.org

For directions 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!