New Jersey Hidden Gem: Overpeck County Park — Kayaking, Playgrounds & 805 Acres in Leonia

Five minutes from the George Washington Bridge sits one of Bergen County's biggest and most underrated parks — and most of us just drive past it. Overpeck County Park stretches more than 805 acres across Leonia, Ridgefield Park, Palisades Park, Englewood, and Teaneck, wrapping around the Overpeck Creek. With a kayak center, huge playgrounds, five miles of paved trails, and free summer concerts, it's the kind of place you keep coming back to all year.

📍 Place
Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia, NJ 07605 (the park has multiple entrances, including a Ridgefield Park side at 199 Challenger Rd). Bergen County's premier recreational park with athletic fields, a children's playground, a canoe/kayak launch into Overpeck Creek, a grass amphitheater, picnic and fishing areas, and five miles of walking and biking trails. Park hours are roughly 7:30 AM – 9:00 PM daily. Entry is free.

🚗 Drive Time
From Tenafly: about 10–15 minutes. From Fort Lee: about 5–10 minutes. From Palisades Park: about 5 minutes. This is genuinely our closest big park — perfect for a spontaneous afternoon outing.

👶 What Kids Can Do
• Climb, swing, and spin at the big playground — with a dedicated toddler climbing area
• Try a tandem kayak from the Overpeck Park Kayak Center (kids under 12 ride with an adult; under 5 can't board, so plan accordingly)
• Ride bikes or scooters on five miles of flat, paved trails
• Watch the horses train at the Bergen Equestrian Center on the Leonia side
• Run wild across the 40-acre open field — perfect for kites and ball games
• Catch a free outdoor concert or movie night at the grass amphitheater in summer

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What Adults Can Do
• Paddle Overpeck Creek by kayak or canoe — rentals available at the kayak center
• Jog or cycle the paved loop trails with skyline views of Manhattan
• Fish along the creek (catch-and-release areas)
• Pack a picnic at one of the many picnic areas
• Play tennis on the park courts or join a pickup soccer game
• Bring the dog to the fenced dog park on the north side

🧭 Things to Do Nearby
• Grab Korean or Japanese food in Palisades Park or Fort Lee, minutes away
• Catch a movie at the AMC theater near the Ridgefield Park entrance
• Walk the nearby Teaneck Creek Conservancy trails for a quieter nature break

Parent tip: the park is huge with multiple parking lots, so decide your plan first — playground and kayak center are on different sides. Arrive early for kayak rentals since tandem boats are limited and can't be reserved ahead. Bring sunscreen: much of the park is open with little shade.

Do you have a favorite corner of Overpeck? Let us know in the comments!