Access Points

Find Your Way to the Bay

The Hudson-Raritan Estuary has made a remarkable recovery since the 1960's, when it was a dumping ground for corporate polluters. Today, marinas, boat docks and ramps, and trails and walkways give public access along the 650-mile shoreline. Cruise the Estuary by yacht, or get up-close and personal by canoe or kayak. And for landlubbers there are waterfront parks. Here's a sampling:

BOAT ACCESS

Baykeeper Eco-Cruises
Baykeeper runs regularly scheduled and by appointment eco-experiences. Link and email

Hackensack Riverkeeper Eco-Cruises
Take a 2-hour pleasure tour of the Hackensack River. Learn the history, ecology and politics of the Hackensack River with Riverkeeper Captain Bill Sheehan. Also available from Hackensack Riverkeeper is a Public Access Brochure for the Hackensack River; call the office at 201-968-0808 or visit www.hackensackriverkeeper.org.

Public Boat Launches
Launch your boat at the New York City 79th St. Boat Basin (fee-based public launch site maintained by NYC Parks Dept.

There are other public boat launches at:

• Gateway National Park Staten Island Unit in Great Kills
• Liberty State Park, NJ
• Keyport, NJ (at the end of Broad St)
• Raritan River in Sayreville and Edison, NJ.
• County Park at Laurel Hill, Secaucus, NJ - public canoe launch maintained by Hackensack Riverkeeper in Hudson County.
• Ferries: One of the easiest, least expensive ways to get on the water is via the Staten Island ferry. Public ferries leave for New York City from docks all along the Estuary, from Weehawken and Hoboken to Highlands and South Amboy. The private ferries although expensive during the communing week have some special prices for weekends and off hours. Visit Website.

LAND ACCESS

Cheesequake State Park, Nature Center, Raritan Bay Watershed
Nature exhibits and programs, guided tours of coastal forests, extensive hiking trails, wetlands and tidal riverfront. Visit Website.

DeKorte State Park, Hackensack Meadowlands
NJ Meadowlands Commission Environmental Center has a 1.5 mile interpretive trail system, including short walks into the egret-filled marsh on a boardwalk, within sight of Manhattan skyline. 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071; 201-460-8300. Visit Website.

Liberty State Park, Interpretive Center, Upper New York Bay
Nature exhibits, nature study programs, and fine views of New York harbor. 201-915-3409. Visit Website. The Liberty Scince Center has Estuary viewing stations and Estuary exhibits. Visit Website.

Gateway National Park, Sandy Hook Unit, Sandy Hook, NJ
Self-guided tours and ranger-led activities. Visitor Center: 732-872-5970. During summer, enjoy Family Night eco-programs sponsored by the American Littoral Society, 732-291-0055. Visit Website.

Gateway National Park, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Self-guided tours and some ranger-led activities. Visitor Center: 718-318-4340. Visit Website.

Gateway National Park, Staten Island Unit
Self-guided tours and some ranger-led activities. Visitor Information: 718-354-4636. Visit Website.

Battery Park, New York City
Offers sweeping views of Upper New York Bay and NY Harbor, with boat trips to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

WATERFRONT WALKWAYS AND HIKING TRAILS

New York City's Hudson River Park
Runs from Battery Park up West St.

NJ Hudson River Walkway
Runs from Jersey City north to Fort Lee, with some gaps

Liberty State Park Walkway
Runs 1.5 miles past the Statue of Liberty, with parking at the Central Railroad Terminal or park administration building

Raritan Bayshore Bike Trail
Runs from Atlantic Highlands to Matawan

Meadowlands Trail
A boardwalk in the Hackensack River marshes (contact New Jersey Meadowlands Commission at 201-460-1700

Palisades Shore Path and Long Path
The Shore Path is a rugged but spectacular 13.5 mile hiking trail that runs the west bank of the Lower Hudson River at the base of the Palisades cliff. Steep uphill trails link up with the Long Path, an easier trail that runs atop the Palisades. Great Estuary and New York City views are available from both trails. Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Alpine, NJ; 201-768-1360. Hikes listed on the web at www.njpalisades.org Trail maps available from NY-NJ Trail Conference at www.nynjtc.org