Saddle River County Park

Saddle River County Park At A Glance...

• A paved path runs roughly six miles under Route 4 and through six towns, so you can ride a long way without crossing traffic.
• There is a waterfall in the Dunkerhook area where the brook meets the Saddle River.
• The historic Easton Tower stands in the Dunkerhook area.
• Three of the five areas allow model boating on their ponds, which is not something most parks offer.
• The ponds at Glen Rock and Wild Duck Pond freeze hard enough to skate on.
• Todays Sunrise: 6:48 am,   Sunset: 6:45 pm  
• New Jersey Gateway Region Bergen County

• Activities:

  • Fishing
  • Jogging / Running
  • Playing in the playground
  • Picnicking
  • Walking

  Amenities:

  • Sports / Athletic Fields
  • Restrooms/Bathrooms
  • Parking Lot(s)
  • Dog Park / Dog Area
  • Picnic / Sitting Area
  • Playground

  Trails:

  • Flat / Easy
  • Paved
  • Walking Paths

  Park Type:

  • County Parks
  • Dog Park
  • Historic Area
  • Playground
  • Scenic Areas (overlooks/waterfalls)

  Rules/Regulations:

  • Alcohol Not Permitted
  • Must be Leashed

Contact / Location

Trail & Path Info

One paved multi-use path runs the length of the park, from the Ridgewood end down to Rochelle Park. Bergen County describes it as approximately six miles.

It passes through all six municipalities and goes under Route 4, so a long ride does not mean a string of road crossings. That is unusual in this part of the state and it is the main reason people come.

The surface is paved throughout and the route follows the river, with bridges where it crosses. The Otto C. Pehle area adds a three-quarter mile loop around its pond.

Things to See & Do

The Dunkerhook area holds the waterfall where the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook meets the Saddle River, and the site of the Easton Tower. It also has three tennis courts, a pavilion, an athletic field and a playground.

Otto C. Pehle in Saddle Brook is the fishing and ball field end: two softball fields, a baseball field, a playground, model boating on the pond, the Yitzhak Rabin Tree Grove and a three-quarter mile loop around the water.

Wild Duck Pond in Ridgewood has the off-leash dog area, a playground, a pavilion, fishing and model boating, and ice skating on the pond in season.

Glen Rock has two tennis courts, two pavilions, a playground, fishing, model boating and seasonal ice skating. Rochelle Park has two tennis courts, a basketball court, a softball field and an ADA accessible playground.

Picnics / Lunches / Eating

Every one of the five areas has at least one pavilion with electric, and Glen Rock has two. They can be reserved through Bergen County, and a permit is required for exclusive use.

Otto C. Pehle also has the Yitzhak Rabin Tree Grove, which is a quieter spot to sit.

Admission & Guidelines

Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and owners have to bag and bin what their dog leaves behind. Unlike some county systems, Bergen's rules do not bar dogs from the paved path. Off-leash time belongs in the fenced dog area at Wild Duck Pond.

Intoxicating liquor is not permitted on park property except under a county permit.

Fishing requires a current New Jersey fishing license. Model boating needs a permit in the areas that allow it, and permits are also needed for the electric pavilions and the athletic fields.

No watercraft may be operated between sunset and sunrise except by special permit.

Hours / Season of Operation

Bergen County Parks states that most of its parks open at 7:30am and close half an hour after sunset. The county does not publish separate hours for this park.

Ice skating at Glen Rock and Wild Duck Pond is seasonal and only when conditions allow.

Directions

This is a six mile strip through six towns, so searching for the park by name alone can send you to any of five completely different places, potentially half an hour apart by road.

Decide which area you want first and navigate to its road: East Ridgewood Avenue for Wild Duck Pond, Prospect Avenue for Glen Rock, Paramus Road for Dunkerhook, Saddle River Road for Otto C. Pehle, Railroad Avenue for Rochelle Park.