River Trips

Canoeing and Kayaking Trips

Trips will be for both canoes and kayaks together (Canyak). Trips are intended for beginner to intermediate paddlers. Prior participation in one of our CAN-U-CANNU or KAN-U-KAYAK classes is required. Boats, equipment, transportation, and leadership are provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own equipment, at their own risk; however, there is no reduction in price. A review of basic canoeing and/or kayaking techniques and river safety begins each trip, then onto the water for an exciting educational experience. All return times are approximate. Duration and degree of difficulty of the trips are listed in ascending order and river trips are also rated using our system below. Due to possible low water conditions, there may be cancellations. Trips will run unless dangerous or threatening weather occurs, in which participants will be notified in a timely manner.

Please read and review the following considerations PRIOR to registering for a river trip:

• Please wear appropriate paddling clothing that can get wet and/or dirty - non-cotton, synthetic, quick-drying fabrics are best. Please also wear proper foot attire – closed-toed shoes that are attached to your foot. Flip flops, clogs, slides, and slip-ons are NOT allowed!
• We reserve the right to deny a participant entry into a program if we deem the participant is not physically fit, does not match the skill level of the program or is ill-prepared. A participant will be turned away the day of the trip if the criteria listed here are not met.
• It is the participant’s responsibility to consult the ratings listed below for each trip and match their skills accordingly. Come expecting to get wet on all trips!

Paddle Practice                         
1 mile           Rating: A, F, J, N
Improve your paddling skills by practicing on Branta Pond – remember; practice makes perfect or at least progress!  This will be a super fun session and you will be amazed at how much better and more comfortable you will feel after these two hours. Participants will meet at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Pre-registration is required.
$20 per person
Activity Number: 51489
Canyak-54    Thursday, April 18
                         4:30pm-6:30pm
Canyak-55    Sunday, May 12
                         2:00pm-4:00pm
Canyak-56    Sunday, May 26
                         5:00pm-7:00pm
Canyak-57    Sunday, June 9
                         2:00pm-4:00pm
Canyak-58    Sunday, June 23
                         1:00pm-3:00pm

Moonlight Paddle           
1 mile            Rating: A, F, J, N                                   
Enjoy the EEC and Branta Pond after dark as we paddle our canoes or kayaks by the light of the full moon! Find out what the Great Swamp sounds and feels like once the sun has set. Perhaps we will hear owls or see bats. Bring a flashlight or headlamp if you have one. Participants will meet at the Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Pre-registration is required.
$24 per person
Activity Number: 50407
Canyak-25    Tuesday, April 23
                         6:30pm-8:30pm
Canyak-26    Thursday, May 23
                         7:30pm-9:30pm

Sunrise Paddle                          
2 miles          Rating: A, B, C, J, N
Rise and shine! Start your day with a quiet paddle on the Passaic River. See swamp sights before the day gets busy. This paddle will help you get centered for beginning your day!  Participants will meet at Fisherman’s Parking Lot on Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Pre-registration is required.
$24 per person
Activity Number: 51491
Canyak-72    Wednesday, April 17         
                          6:30am-8:30am
Canyak-73    Tuesday, April 30
                          6:30am-8:30am
Canyak-74    Wednesday, May 15
                          6:30am-8:30am
Canyak-75    Thursday, May 30
                          6:30am-8:30am
Canyak-76    Monday, June 10
                          6:00am-8:00am
Canyak-77    Thursday, June 20
                          6:00am-8:00am

Passaic Paddle
3 miles          Rating: A, B, C, J, N
The Passaic River winds through the Great Swamp basin, flowing through floodplain forest, and many unique wetland habitats. Paddle this gentle river, home to turtles, herons, frogs, and fish. Participants will meet at Fisherman’s Parking Lot on Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Pre-registration is required.
$36 per person
Activity Number: 50756
Canyak-34    Sunday, April 28
                         1:00pm-4:00pm
Canyak-35    Monday, May 20
                         9:00am-Noon
Canyak-36    Sunday, June 2
                         4:30pm-7:30pm

A Paddling Afternoon (without transportation provided)                                     
4 miles          Rating: A, B, D, F, J, N
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of some of the prettiest paddling in the state.  We will explore quiet coves, discover tranquil hideaways, enjoy scenic vistas, and savor the solitude of the water!  Bring a snack and water.  Participants will either meet at Cranberry Lake (Byram, NJ) or Saxton Lake (Stanhope, NJ).  Detailed address and GPS information of all locations will be provided to registered participants prior to the trip date.  Pre-registration required.
$48 per person, self-drive
Course Code: 50761
Canyak-05    Thursday, April 25                        Cranberry Lake
                         1:30pm-5:30pm
Canyak-07    Thursday, June 13                       Saxton Lake
                         1:00pm-6:00pm

A Paddling Afternoon (with transportation provided)                                
4 miles          Rating: A, B, D, F, J, N
Join us for a relaxing afternoon of some of the prettiest paddling in the state.  We will explore quiet coves, discover tranquil hideaways, enjoy scenic vistas, and savor the solitude of the water!  Bring a snack and water.  Bus transportation provided.  Participants will meet at The Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.  Pre-registration required. 
$65 per person
Course Code: 50761
Canyak-06    Thursday, May 9                          Lake Aeroflex
                          1:30pm-5:30pm

Delaware & Raritan Canal Paddle
4 miles          Rating: A, D, J, N
Quiet, peaceful, and still, the D & R Canal is an ideal place for a relaxing paddle.  Cruising along, we will enjoy the sights and sounds the waterway has to offer. Participants will meet in Colonial Park at the dock/footbridge along the canal.  Please park in parking Lot F at Colonial Park, 156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, NJ. Pre-registration required.
$60 per person
Activity Number: 50757
Canyak-05    Monday, May 6
                         11:00am-4:00pm
Canyak-06    Monday, June 24
                         11:00am-4:00pm

Abbott Marshlands Meander
5 miles          Rating: A, B, D, F, K, M
Barely one mile away from our state capital’s golden dome sits a beaver lodge in the quiet wetlands of the Abbott Marshlands. This large expanse of woodlands, tidal marsh, and streams has a rich history of human habitation. We will paddle into the marsh with the incoming tide, take a walk at Roebling Park and catch the outgoing tide back to Bordentown Beach. Participants will meet at the EEC, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.  Bus transportation will be provided.  Pre-registration is required. 
$125 per person
Activity Number: 50769
Canyak-27    Monday, June 17
                         10:30am-6:30pm

Pine Barrens Paddle (without transportation provided)
4 miles          Rating: B, C, D, E, K, L, M
The NJ Pine Barrens offers some of the best paddling in the state!  Enjoy pristine, tea-colored water with old cranberry bogs, rich wetland meadows, and pitch pine forest.  Our day will consist of paddling a lake or pond and enjoying lunch.  Please bring lunch, water, and binoculars.  Participants will meet at the Rancocas Creek (Eastampton Township, NJ).  Detailed address and GPS information will be provided to registered participants prior to the trip date.  Pre-registration required.
$110 per person, self-drive
Course Code: 50765
Canyak-10    Thursday, May 2                Rancocas Creek
                         11:00am-7:30pm

Pine Barrens Paddle (with transportation provided)
4 miles          Rating: B, C, D, E, K, L, M
The NJ Pine Barrens offers some of the best paddling in the state!  Enjoy pristine, tea-colored water with old cranberry bogs, rich wetland meadows, and pitch pine forest.  Our day will consist of paddling a lake or pond and enjoying lunch.  Please bring lunch, water, and binoculars.  Bus transportation provided.  Participants will meet at the Environmental Education Center,190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.  Pre-registration required.
$125 per person
Course Code: 50765
Canyak-11    Thursday, June 6               Lower Wading River
                        11:00am-7:30pm