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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 & Kayak Rentals Beginning on Sunday, April 20 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. The Paddling Center will be CLOSED June 14 & 15 for MeadowFest. CANOE RATES (per day): $25 per paddler (17 years and up) / $10 per passenger Up to three adults, or two adults with one or two children is a comfortable fit and there must be at least two adult paddlers in each canoe. KAYAK RATES (per day): $25 per paddler (15 years and older) / no passengers We have solo and tandem kayaks. NO solo paddling is permitted so if you want to paddle a solo 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 livery at 201-920-4746 to check on vessel availability. ~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~ 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. This year we are offering four trips specifically for birding, two extended trips (one upriver to the Mill Creek Marsh and one downriver to Newark Bay), a Mother's Day Paddle and a Sunset Paddle on August 9. 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 / $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.
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. 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. ~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~ 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. :) ~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~~^~~~^~ 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.
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! |
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