Driving Directions
to the NJ Section's park areas
Information on this page current as of January 03, 2009
Northbound Palisades Interstate Parkway
(from points south and New York City)Southbound Palisades Interstate Parkway
(from points north, New York State Thruway)Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area (Alpine Pavilion, Kearney House)
Englewood Boat Basin & Picnic Area (Bloomers Beach)
See also Maps |
Northbound Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP)
(from points south and New York City)From Routes 4, 46, I-80, I-95: Take the exit for Fort Lee / Palisades Interstate Parkway (Exit 72 from I-95, after the last toll on the New Jersey Turnpike). Turn left at the light at the top of the ramp. Go through several lights in succession, then the entrance to the northbound PIP is on right.
From New York City: Take the upper level of the George Washington Bridge to the first exit, the Palisades Interstate Parkway northbound.
Southbound Palisades Interstate Parkway (PIP)
(from points north, New York State Thruway)From New York State Thruway (I-87/287), take Exit 13S for the southbound PIP.
Fort Lee Historic Park directions
Fort Lee Historic Park is located on top of the Palisades in Fort Lee, New Jersey, on Hudson Terrace immediately south of the George Washington Bridge.
From Routes 4, 46, I-80, I-95: Take the exit for Fort Lee / Palisades Interstate Parkway. Continue straight on Bruce Reynolds Boulevard (headed east) through several traffic lights. At Hudson Terrace go straight ahead into the new entrance to Fort Lee Historic Park.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound only): Take the last exit before the George Washington Bridge (Hudson Terrace). Turn left (south) onto Hudson Terrace. At the second traffic light (Bruce Reynolds Boulevard), turn left into the new entrance to Fort Lee Historic Park.
From U.S. Route 9W: At Bruce Reynolds Boulevard, turn east (right if headed north, left if headed south). Proceed down the hill and straight into the Historic Park entrance.
From Edgewater & South: Take River Road north. This changes to Hudson Terrace at the top of the hill, at the Fort Lee–Edgewater border. The Historic Park entrance will be on the right, at the traffic light.
From New York City: Take the upper level of the George Washington Bridge to the first Fort Lee exit (Hudson Terrace). Bear right and proceed down the ramp to the traffic light. Turn right onto Hudson Terrace. At the next light (Bruce Reynolds Boulevard), turn left into the new entrance to Fort Lee Historic Park.
By Bus: Get off at Fort Lee Bridge Plaza (the first stop out of New York City from the George Washington Bridge Terminal). Go up the stairs to Lemoine Ave., then head south. Turn left at the bank and go downhill on Bruce Reynolds Boulevard. At the light at the bottom of the hill (Hudson Terrace), cross the street to the Historic Park entrance.
Hazard's Launching Ramp directions
Hazard's Launching Ramp on the Hudson River is immediately south of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
From Hudson Terrace, River Road, Main St., Fort Lee: Trailers must enter at the southern park entrance (River Road at the Edgewater–Fort Lee border) and take Henry Hudson Drive to the Ross Dock circle; then proceed downhill to Ross Dock.
Ross Dock Picnic Area directions
The Ross Dock picnic area is on the Hudson River riverfront immediately north of the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
Ross Dock circle (looking north).From Routes 4, 46, I-80, I-95: Take the exit for Fort Lee / Palisades Interstate Parkway. Continue straight on Bridge Plaza South past several traffic lights. At the last light ("T" intersection), turn right onto Bigler Street. At the stop sign, turn left (east) onto Main Street, then keep in the right lane to bear right (south) at River Road. The southern park entrance will be on the left. Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound): Take the last exit before the George Washington Bridge (Hudson Terrace). Turn left onto Hudson Terrace. Go south and at the second traffic light keep in the left lane to bear right onto Bigler Street. At the stop sign, turn left (east) on Main Street, then keep in the right lane to bear right (south) at River Road. The southern park entrance (Henry Hudson Drive) will be on the left. Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
From U.S. Route 9W: At Main Street, Fort Lee, turn east (right if headed north, left if headed south). Proceed downhill and bear right (south) at River Road. The southern park entrance (Henry Hudson Drive) will be on the left. Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
From Edgewater & South: Take River Road north. Near the top of the hill, at the Fort Lee border, is the southern park entrance (Henry Hudson Drive) on the right. Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
From New York City: Take the upper level of the George Washington Bridge to the first Fort Lee exit. Bear right and proceed down the ramp to the traffic light. Proceed south (right turn) to the second traffic light, then keep in the left lane to bear right onto Bigler Street. At the stop sign, turn left (east) on Main Street, then keep in the right lane to bear right (south) at River Road. The southern park entrance (Henry Hudson Drive) will be on the left. Follow Henry Hudson Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock circle and follow signs.
Alternative Access (cars only, no trailers): Follow directions to the Englewood Picnic Area. The Ross Dock circle is one mile south of the Englewood Area on Henry Hudson Drive.
Allison Park
Allison Park is on top of the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River off Hudson Terrace in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, just south of Saint Peter's College.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (northbound): Take Exit 1, Palisade Ave. Turn right off the exit ramp onto Palisade Ave., then take an immediate left onto Hudson Terrace south (Bank of America on corner). In about a mile, the entrance road will be on the left, opposite the Englewood Cliffs Department of Public Works yard. Take the entrance road underneath the Parkway, then turn right (south) to the entrance to Allison Park at end of the road.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound): Take Exit 1, Palisade Avenue. Turn left off the exit ramp onto Palisade Avenue, then take an immediate right onto Hudson Terrace south (Bank of America on corner). In about a mile, the entrance road will be on the left, opposite the Englewood Cliffs Department of Public Works yard. Take the entrance road underneath the Parkway, then turn right (south) to the entrance to Allison Park at end of the road.
From U.S. Route 9W (cars and bicycles): Turn east on Palisade Avenue (diner on corner), then right onto Hudson Terrace south (Bank of America on corner). In about a mile, the entrance road will be on the left, opposite the Englewood Cliffs Department of Public Works yard. Take the entrance road underneath the Parkway, then turn right (south) to the entrance to Allison Park at end of the road.
Englewood Boat Basin & Picnic Area directions (Bloomer's Beach)
Englewood Picnic Area is on the Hudson River in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, about two miles north of the George Washington Bridge, at the base of Dyckman Hill Road (the continuation of Palisade Avenue at Exit 1 of the PIP).
Entrance to Englewood Area (looking north).From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (north- or southbound): Take Exit 1, Palisade Avenue. Turn left. Enter the park and follow the road down to the river, taking the sharp right turn about halfway down the hill.
From U.S. Route 9W (cars only, no bicycles or trailers): Turn east on Palisade Avenue (diner on corner). Stay straight to enter the park and follow the road down to the river, taking the sharp right turn about halfway down the hill. (Trailers must use the directions for Hazard's Launching Ramp. Bicycles are not permitted on Dyckman Hill—please use Henry Hudson Drive.)
Alternative Access (cars only, no trailers): Follow the directions to Ross Dock Picnic Area. The Englewood Area is one mile north of the Ross Dock circle on Henry Hudson Drive.
Englewood Picnic Area information
Alpine Boat Basin & Picnic Area directions (Alpine Boat Basin, Alpine Pavilion, Kearney House)
Alpine Picnic Area is on the Hudson River in Alpine, New Jersey, about seven miles north of the George Washington Bridge, at the base of Alpine Approach Road (the summit of which is about one mile north of Closter Dock Road at Exit 2 of the PIP). The Kearney House and the Alpine Pavilion are beyond (north of) the parking area and the boat basin.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (northbound): Take Exit 2, U.S. Route 9W, Alpine, Closter. Stay straight off the exit, passing Park Headquarters. Follow the long, narrow road downhill. When almost at the river, go ¾ around the small circle, then continue the rest of the way down the hill to the entrance to the parking area.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound): Take Exit 2, U.S. Route 9W, Alpine, Closter. Turn right on Rt. 9W. Turn right at the first light (Alpine Approach Road.), then bear right. Pass Park Headquarters. Follow the long, narrow road downhill. When almost at the river, go ¾ around the small circle, then continue the rest of the way down the hill to the entrance to the parking area.
From U.S. Route 9W (cars, commercial vehicles, and bicycles): Turn east on Alpine Approach Road (about 1 mile north of Closter Dock Road). Then bear right. Pass Park Headquarters. Follow the long, narrow road downhill. Almost at the river, go ¾ around the small circle, then continue the rest of the way down the hill to the entrance to the parking area.
Alpine Picnic Area information
Park Headquarters directions (including Parkway Police Court)
New Jersey Section Park Headquarters is on top of the Palisades in Alpine, New Jersey, about seven miles north of the George Washington Bridge, at the top of Alpine Approach Road (about one mile north of Closter Dock Road at Exit 2 of the PIP).
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (northbound): Take Exit 2, Rt. 9W, Alpine, Closter. Stay straight off the exit. Headquarters will be on the left.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound): Take Exit 2, Rt. 9W, Alpine, Closter. Turn right on U.S. Rt. 9W. Turn right at the first light (Alpine Approach Road), then bear right. Headquarters will be on the left.
From U.S. Route 9W: Turn east on Alpine Approach Road (about 1 mile north of Closter Dock Road). Then bear right. Headquarters will be on the left.
Headquarters (administrative offices/PIP Police) information
State Line Lookout directions
State Line Lookout is on top of the Palisades overlooking the Hudson River in Alpine New Jersey, about 1 mile south of the New York–New Jersey state line; it has its own exit from the northbound PIP (exit not numbered) about two miles north of Exit 2 and immediately opposite the southbound-only Exit 3.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (northbound): The well-marked exit for State Line Lookout is about 2 miles north of Exit 2.
From the Palisades Interstate Parkway (southbound): Stay in the left lane after passing Exit 3. Take the U-turn (well marked). Use caution, as you will need to get into the right lane immediately to exit for State Line Lookout.
By Bus: Buses stop on U.S. Route 9W, at the state line (by the entrance to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory). The old concrete road can be followed to State Line Lookout (about 1.5 mi.).
See also "The Rider's Companion."
Bicycles: Bicycles can also enter from the old concrete highway from U.S. Route 9W, but are not permitted on any trails or on the Parkway.