Come paddle with us! Since 1999 and continuing today, Hackensack Riverkeeper remains the only operator of canoe/kayak liveries in our watershed. Now fielding a fleet of more than fifty canoes and kayaks, we look forward to giving you, your family & friends opportunities to enjoy and explore the Hackensack River, the Meadowlands and Overpeck Lake at your own pace, or on one of our Laurel Hill guided paddles.

Please note that our paddling activities are donation-based, as opposed to fee-based and all funds raised help support the ongoing mission of Hackensack Riverkeeper.

 

Enjoy independent or guided paddling at our three paddling center locations:

• Laurel Hill Park Paddling Center
• Overpeck Park Paddling Center
• Van Buskirk Island Paddling Center
• Moonlight Paddles out of Laurel Hill
• Sunday Guided Paddle Tours at Laurel Hill
  

 

**PLEASE NOTE: For information regarding paddling center weather-related or emergency closures, please visit our Hackensack Riverkeeper Paddling Centers Facebook page. Weather conditions include, but are not limited to, heavy rain, lightning, excessive wind, excessive heat, unsafe water temperatures, etc. Occasionally, we close the centers due to special paddling events at other locations.

Laurel Hill Paddling Center
Open! Weekends and Holidays

Laurel Hill County Park
1005 New County Road
Secaucus, NJ 07094

Phone: 201-920-4746

Spring 2023 Hours:  Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays, 10 AM – 6 PM
(Last boat rental at 1:45 pm)

Our Paddling Center at Laurel Hill County Park is located at the end of New County Road in Secaucus, NJ. It is easily accessible from NJ Turnpike (Eastern Spur) Exit 15X, Route 3 to Meadowlands Parkway, or via NJ Transit buses and trains to Secaucus Junction. The park is located on the east bank of the Hackensack River at the southern end of the New Jersey Meadowlands, directly across from the Saw Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area.

Download printable directions.

*The Paddling Center’s season typically runs from early May until October 15. The center will be OPEN (weather permitting) on the standard dates/time of operation, and will also be OPEN on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Here’s how to enjoy safe, independent paddling out of Laurel Hill:

• Laurel Hill is open water with access to the marshlands, and more suited for experienced paddlers.
• We use the buddy system – SOLO PADDLING IS NOT PERMITTED.
• All single kayak paddlers must be age 18+.
• All 2nd paddlers in tandem kayaks MUST be 16 years of age or older.
• All rentals must include one legal – and preferably experienced – adult, per under aged paddler.
• Paddlers MUST wear their Personal Flotation Devices at all times while on the water – NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Alcoholic beverages, cannabis and illegal drugs are NOT PERMITTED in our boats or in the park.
• Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a charged cellphone.
• Consider also bringing a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, snacks and a waterproof bag.

KAYAK Donation RATES (per four hours):
$30 per paddler for 4 hours

• Single and tandem kayaks are available.

Here’s how to enjoy Guided Paddles out of Laurel Hill:

Moonlight Paddles:

Moonlight Paddles are a great way to explore the Meadowlands under the light of the moon. Enjoy a two-hour paddle through the Sawmill Creek Wildlife Management Area with experienced guides. Solo paddlers welcome on guided tours.

See the full schedule of this year’s Moonlight Paddles.

Registration: $35 per paddler / $20 per paddler with own boat

• Reservations are required for all Moonlight Paddles. Click on your preferred date listed below to register.
• Moonlight paddles are ADULTS ONLY (18+) events. EXPERIENCED PADDLERS ONLY, PLEASE.
• For more information, please contact our office at 201-968-0808. For your convenience, directions and required waivers are available on the registration page. Be sure to print, read, sign and bring your waiver form.

2023 Moonlight Paddles (weather permitting) – Registration Open Now!

Sat, 5/6 @ 7:30 PM – Post Full Moon (Canceled Due to Inclement Weather)
Sun, 5/7 @ 7:30 PM – Post Full Moon (Canceled Due to Inclement Weather)

Sun, 6/4 @ 8 PM – Full Moon
Mon, 6/5 @ 8 PM – Post Full Moon

Sat, 7/1 @ 8 PM – Pre Full Moon
Sun, 7/2 @ 8 PM – Pre Full Moon

Mon, 7/31 @ 7:30 PM – Pre Full Moon
Tue, 8/1 @ 7:30 PM – Full Moon

Thu, 8/31 @ 7 PM – BLUE MOON
Fri, 9/1 @ 7 PM – Post-Full Moon

Sat, 09/30 @ 6 PM – Post Full Moon
Sun, 10/1 @ 6 PM – Post Full Moon

Note: ALL “Mooners” take place on easy-to-paddle incoming tides.

Sunday Guided Tours 

High Tide Exploration Guided Paddle:

Hackensack Riverkeeper’s experienced paddling guides take you on a two-hour exploration of the Sawmill Creek marsh. Timed to the high tide, kayakers will be able to get into creeks and channels that are inaccessible – and often dry – during low tide. An added bonus is the opportunity to view both the Newark skyline and the entire Manhattan skyline from the Upper West Side to Lower Manhattan from a unique perspective: with a thousand acres of protected wetlands in your foreground. EXPERIENCED ADULT (18+) PADDLERS ONLY.

Dates Available:

Birding & Wildlife Watch Guided Paddle:

Join Hackensack Riverkeeper’s experienced paddling guides on a two-hour excursion to seek out some of the common (and not-so-common) wildlife species of the Meadowlands. Among the birds you can expect to see on this low-tide trip during fall migration are: herons, egrets, sandpipers, plovers, waterfowl, raptors and wrens. You’ll also have a good chance to spot muskrats in the creeks and Diamondback terrapins basking on the mudflats. Be sure to bring your binoculars and register early because this event sells out. EXPERIENCED ADULT (18+) PADDLERS ONLY.

Dates Available:

 

Overpeck Park Paddling Center
Open! Weekends and Holidays

Overpeck County Park / Teaneck-Ridgefield Park Area
50 Fort Lee Road
Leonia, NJ 07605

Phone: 201-957-3085

Spring 2023 Hours: Fri-Sat-Sun-Mon, 10 AM-6 PM
(Last boat rental at 3:45 pm)

*Open 7 days/week Father’s Day – Labor Day 

Call 201-968-0808 for the current schedule or check our Facebook page.

The calm, non-tidal waters of Overpeck Lake are perfect for novice paddlers and paddlers with children. Our Overpeck Park Kayak Center is most easily accessible via the park entrance at 50 Fort Lee Road, Leonia. Enter the park at the light and turn right at the traffic circle. After crossing over two wooden bridges, you will see the center and parking lot on your left. The park can also be accessed via NJ Transit buses.

Download printable directions

*The Paddling Center’s season typically runs from early May until October 15. The center will be OPEN (weather permitting) on the standard dates/time of operation, and will also be OPEN on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Here’s how to enjoy safe, independent paddling at Overpeck:

• Paddlers MUST wear their Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’S) AT ALL TIMES while on the water – NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Alcoholic beverages, cannabis and illegal drugs are NOT PERMITTED in our boats or in the park.
• Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a charged cellphone.
• Consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, snacks and a waterproof bag.
• Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more. Boats are always subject to availability.

KAYAK and CANOE Donation RATES (per two hours)
$25 per paddler for 2 hours
$10 per paddler for each additional hour

• Only adults 18+ can arrange rentals.
• Single and tandem kayaks are available.
• You must have two paddlers per canoe.
• 1-2 children (ages 5-7) can ride FREE as canoe passengers.

STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD Donation RATES (per two hours)
$25 per paddler for 2 hours
$10 per paddler for each additional hour

Private group paddling events can be arranged to take place at Overpeck. Contact our Paddling Program Manager at paddling@hackensackriverkeeper.org for more info.

PLEASE NOTE the following requirements / safety restrictions for Overpeck:

• Children 5 to 7 can ride FREE as a passenger in a canoe with TWO adult paddlers.
• Children 8-12 can paddle in a tandem kayak with one adult in the rear.
• Children 13 & up can paddle a single kayak, or the front of a canoe.
• Anyone 16+ can paddle a Stand Up Paddle-board (SUP) while accompanied on the water by an adult parent/guardian on a 2nd SUP.
• All rentals must include one legal – and preferably experienced – adult, per under aged paddler.

 

Van Buskirk Island Paddling Center
Open! Weekends and Holidays

Van Buskirk Island County Park– across from the historical Hackensack Waterworks building
200 Elm Street (at New Milford Avenue)
Oradell, NJ 07649

Click here for directions

Phone: 551-341-0170

Spring 2023 Hours:  Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays, 10 AM – 6 PM 
(Last boat rental at 3:45 pm) 

Call 201-968-0808 for the current schedule or check our Facebook page.

Spend an enjoyable time paddling the calm forest-lined waters of the Hackensack River from Bergen County’s newest park. This clear, freshwater stretch of river is located just downstream of the Oradell Dam and above the head of tide. Like Overpeck, Van Buskirk Island Park is perfect for novice paddlers, families and the out-of-practice. The safety notes and rules are the same as those at Overpeck.

*The Paddling Center’s season typically runs from early May until October 15. The center will be OPEN (weather permitting) on the standard dates/time of operation, and will also be OPEN on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Here’s how to enjoy safe, independent paddling at Van Buskirk:

• Paddlers MUST wear their Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’S) AT ALL TIMES while on the water – NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Alcoholic beverages, cannabis and illegal drugs are NOT PERMITTED in our boats or in the park.
• Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a charged cellphone.
• Consider bringing a hat, sunglasses, binoculars, snacks and a waterproof bag.
• Reservations are required for groups of 8 or more. Boats are always subject to availability.

KAYAK and CANOE Donation RATES (per two hours)
$20 per paddler for 2 hours
$10 per paddler for each additional hour

• Only adults 18+ can arrange rentals.
• Single and tandem kayaks are available.
• You must have two paddlers per canoe.
• 1-2 children (ages 5-7) can ride FREE as canoe passengers.

PLEASE NOTE the following requirements / safety restrictions for Van Buskirk Island:

• Children 5 to 7 can ride FREE as a passenger in a canoe with TWO adult paddlers.
• Children 8-12 can paddle in a tandem kayak with one adult in the rear.
• Children 13 & up can paddle a single kayak, or the front of a canoe.
• All rentals must include one legal – and preferably experienced – adult, per under aged paddler at all times.