Lake Tappan Paddle Day

Brought to you through a partnership between Hackensack Riverkeeper and Veolia Water, Lake Tappan Paddle Day is a family-friendly day of paddling on Lake Tappan Reservoir in Old Tappan, NJ. The event supports Hackensack Riverkeeper’s mission to protect, preserve, and restore the Hackensack River. 

The Paddle Day consists of four paddling sessions. Paddlers are encouraged to bring their own boat or rent one from Riverkeeper’s fleet! You can choose a single-person kayak, a tandem (two-person) kayak, or canoe.

As space is limited, pre-registration is required. If you need to cancel your reservation, please do so through Eventbrite, or by calling our office at 201-968-0808, as soon as possible to open the space up to other paddlers.

Address and Parking: Veolia fishing gate off of Washington Ave. North, near the intersection of Little Mountain Rd., Old Tappan, NJ. Parking will be inside the gate, along the access road. The access road is one way, and all paddlers will exit onto Ogle Road. Signs will guide you.

Cost: Riverkeeper kayak/canoe: $30 per paddler. Your own kayak/canoe: $30 per vessel

Schedule: Check-in begins 30 min. prior to each session. Please plan to arrive early to allow enough time to park, check-in, and receive your materials. 

• Paddle A: 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• Paddle B: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
• Paddle C: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
• OWN BOAT: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

*All boats must be off water by 3:30 p.m.

*Get on the water faster: download the event waiver form (both sides required!)

All registrants will receive lunch – beginning at 11:30a.m. – courtesy of Inserra ShopRite!

Catch-and-Release Fishing, from your OWN boats only, is permitted. Anglers must hold a valid NJ Fresh Water Fishing license. 

Weather: Lake Tappan Paddle Day will only be cancelled for persistent rain and/or thunder and lightning. If we are unable to hold the event, registrants will receive a voucher, which can be used at either of our paddling centers or at a 2023 Reservoir Paddle Series event. 

Rules and Age Restrictions: All canoes must have two adult paddlers. Children 5 and over may ride as a passenger in the center of a canoe, paddled by two adults. Children 8 and over can paddle in the front seat of a tandem kayak with a parent or guardian in the back. Children 12 and over may paddle a single kayak, if accompanied by an adult paddling in a separate vessel while on the water.

All necessary equipment and life vests (PFDs) will be provided for those using Hackensack Riverkeeper boats. All paddlers must wear PFD at all times.

All boats must be washed at our wash station before entering the reservoir, to ensure the prevention of bio-invasive hitchhikers.

Questions? E-mail us at info@hackensackriverkeeper.org or call 201-968-0808.