Memorial Day Paddle on the Rockaway River
by Melody Wenger
Monday, May 25, 2026
Trip Overview
This Memorial Day, 14 paddlers and one dog by the name of Atlas embarked on a 7-mile paddle on the Rockaway River from Rockaway to Boonton. The trip had been rescheduled from the rainy day before, which was a blessing in disguise. The extra rain brought the water level up to a nicely flowing level with no gravel bars. The early morning had a few drizzles but by the time we completed the shuttle, the rain had stopped.
Launch and Midday Stop
Before lunch we paddled through wooded areas with beautiful Phlox flowers of purple and white bordering both sides of the river. In the middle of Denville there is a riverside park with restaurants right across the street. Some members brought their lunch while others enjoyed typical Memorial Day food of hot dogs and burgers and ice cream.
Wildlife and Scenery
As we continued, blue started to peak through the clouds, and yellow irises now adorned the riverbanks. Wildlife included a mother merganser and her baby chicks, blue herons, a great white heron, mama deer with fawn, sunning turtles, red wing black birds, a few trout fisherman and several golfers.
Take-Out and Surprise Finish
At the takeout, Griffith Park, many paddlers stayed to tail gate on deviled eggs, cheese and crackers, mixed nuts and fresh cherries. There was a momma snapping turtle laying eggs and I saw one drop out. Later another snapping turtle was saved while crossing the street and carried by its tail safely to the park’s green grass. While tail gating, a surprise visit by Chris D added much excitement to the end of our adventure.
Chris just happened to be passing by and saw all our boats. He talked about how he ran the water fall at the park. Not believing him, he boarded his white-water boat and made the run look so easy. See attached video in separate email. Once back on land, a very nice Boonton police officer approached Chris and explained to him and us that you can’t exit the river onto the park property. Oops! He did tell us where a public launch was for future reference.
Closing Notes
All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip.
Thank you to a wonderful and fun group that joined me on the paddle: Martin W, Al G, Sumonnat K, Robyn L, Phil B, Alex T, Dave M, Jim M, Steve B, Bob Z, Denise H with Atlas, and Curtis R with his guest, Delhila S.
PS – Curtis and Delhila had foldable sit-on-top kayaks. I had never seen this before. Very cool, but very wet!
Melody