Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association – Launch site directory

Driving Directions:

• From New Jersey Turnpike - EASTERN SPUR (North or Southbound) - Exit 15-X Secaucus Junction:
• After the tollbooth, follow the very long ramp (which becomes Seaview Avenue) around the train station to the traffic light at New County Road.
• Turn LEFT, proceed over the bridge and drive straight into Laurel Hill Park.

• From Route 3 Eastbound and Points West:
• After passing the Meadowlands Sports Complex, get into the right lane as you approach the Hackensack River bridge.
• Take the MEADOWLANDS PARKWAY exit as you come over the bridge.
• At the bottom of the ramp, turn LEFT at the light onto Meadowlands Parkway.
• ** Take Meadowlands Parkway through several sets of traffic lights and past Harmon Cove Towers.
• A short way past the Towers, Meadowlands Parkway becomes CASTLE ROAD as it makes a sharp 90-degree left turn.
• Take Castle Road until it ends at NEW COUNTY ROAD.
• Turn RIGHT onto New County road; proceed over the bridge and drive straight into Laurel Hill Park.

• From Manhattan / Lincoln Tunnel / Route 3 Westbound:
• Proceed westbound on I-495.
• Stay to the right at the bottom of the North Bergen Viaduct and bear rith onto Route 3 West.
• Stay in the right lane on Route 3 and take the exit for MEADOWLANDS PARKWAY.
• follow the exit ramp under Route 3 and stay to the right as you approach the first traffic light; you are now on Meadowlands Parkway.
• Proceed as directed (**) above.

• From Jersey City / Hoboken via Tonnelle Avenue (Routes 1&9):
• Exit Tonnelle Aveue onto Couty Road and travel West for about one mile.
• After passing underneath the NJ Turnpike, turn LEFT onto New County Road.
• Follow New County Road over one set of railroad tracks, over a bridge and straight into Laurel Hill Park.
• NOTE: Freight trains often block New County Road for up to one half haour. If come via thi route, be sure to allow extra time.


IMPORTANT: Once in the park, make the first RIGHT into the Boat Launch Parking Area.

Address:

New County Road

Secaucus, NJ 07094, Hudson County

Land owner: County

Coordinates: L 40^o 45.818' N    Lo 74^o 05.247' W

Water: Salt

Water type: River

Launch area is: Ramp

Launch area surface is: Concrete

Facilities: PortaPotti, Canoe Rental, Fresh Water Rinse, Trash Receptacle

Launching considerations / restrictions:

Be sure to time your trip with the tides or you could find yourself stuck in the shallow creeks and marshlands during the lower tides.

!Caution - Be aware of heavy current under NJ Turnpike (Western Spur) bridge which is North West of launch site. Some submerged pilings were observed on the western side of the bridge. Plan carefully with tidal flow.

Parking situation:

A paved parking area with approximately 20 spaces is available.

Comments:

Hackensack RiverKeeper runs a canoe livery trailer with rentals and information about wildlife and the conservation and preservation efforts in the Hackensack Watershed and Meadowlands area.

Paddlers report seeing lots of wildlife in this area including turtles (diamondbacks and snapping turtles), egrets, herons, moor hens and some occasional muskrats.

Two alternate launch areas are possible if the boat ramp is very busy. One immediately to the left of the boat ramp. See picture (Alternate 1) below. The second is about 20 yards or so more to the left of ramp in front of a tall black metal pole. See picture (Alternate 2). Pictures are all at low tide. Note that other areas have some steep drop offs into the water so avoid these.

Related Links:

Picture of sign at entrance to park. (pic.jpg 65k)

Piture of putin (Ramp). (pic.jpg 58k)

Picture of putin (Alternate 1). (pic.jpg 74k)

Picture of putin (Alternate 2). (pic.jpg 78k)

Picture of parking area. (pic.jpg 57k)

Hackensack RiverKeeper

The Meadowlands: Wilderness Adventures on the Edge of a City by Robert Sullivan

TopoZone Topo map

Google street map

Satellite image showing launch site. (Pic.jpg 56k)

Picture of suggested paddling routes. (pic.jpg 67k)

Last Update: 04/07/2006

Copyright © 2008 by Jersey Shore Sea Kayak Association - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No warranties are expressed or implied.