Passaic River

The Upper Passaic River starts in Mendham NJ. It wanders south, then east, then north. Once it enters the Great Swamp, it is navigable in a kayak, at least in theory. But in practice, many sections of the river are impassable on account of trees obstructing the waterway.

Passaic River #1: Lord Stirling Park, Upriver and Return

Launch at Lord Stirling Park and paddle upriver as far as one can go, then return. How far one gets will depend on the height of the water. It is a very pretty trip that usually takes about an hour.

Passaic River #2: Lord Stirling Park to Valley Road, Millington

This section of the Upper Passaic River is stunningly beautiful and wonderfully wild. There are some small rapids in the Millington Gorge, but it is mostly flat water. There are half a dozen portages due to fallen trees obstructing the river.

Passaic River #3: Valley Road, Millington to Poplar Drive, Stirling

Don’t do it! This section of the Upper Passaic River is very beautiful. But there are dozens of fallen tress obstructing the river that require one to portage through the mud. It is hard going.

Passaic River #4: Poplar Drive, Stirling to Oakwood Park, New Providence

This section was not done. We checked it out and decided that it was pretty, but not worth the effort. There were too many trees obstructing the river, and too much mud.

Passaic River #5: Oakwood Park, New Providence to Shepard Kollock Recreation Park, Chatham

This section of the Upper Passaic River is very pretty, and has few obstructions. The first section is flat water, but most of the trip is through a gently slopping gorge. There are two small dams, and some shallow sections, but nothing too bothersome.

Passaic River #6: Shepard Kollock Recreation Park, Chatham to South Orange Ave, Livingston

This section of the Upper Passaic River is very pretty. It is all flat water. There are quite a few trees in the river that have to be portaged around. There will be mud.