State Line Hawk Watch

From September through early November, volunteer observers record the migration of raptors at State Line Lookout, from 9 AM to 4 PM, volunteer availability and weather conditions permitting. Visitors are always welcome at the hawk watch (binoculars recommended).

Get a feeling for what the hawk watch is about with this short film by Rafael Samanez!

State Line Hawk Watch (40.9897°N, 73.9061°W), sponsored with the Hawk Migration Association of North America (click here to go to HMANA’s State Line page), was founded in 1997 and is one of around a dozen official New Jersey hawk watch sites.

Advisories

Accident | Fire | Emergency

201-768-6001

Call this number before calling 9-1-1 in the park!

Restrooms at Englewood Picnic Area closed for emergency repairs. (Port-a-johns available as of 4/17.)

HURRICANE IDA RECOVERY

Ongoing Until Further Notice:

Dyckman Hill Road (Englewood Cliffs park entrance) remains CLOSED TO ALL USE (vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians). Dyckman Hill Trail (yellow markers) remains open to hikers.

Park Headquarters building remains closed to the public for fire remediation (email & phone communication remain active). No public restrooms or water are available on site.

Click to download our advisory for park visitors about ticks, poison ivy, and other safety concerns.

In spring and summer, it is common to encounter what may appear to be sick, injured, or orphaned young animals in the park. Most often, these animals are healthy — and safe where they are!

DO NOT DISTURB THEM

Please click here to learn more.

The New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub provides the public with the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the State's response, including rules, regulations, and other guidance about how to keep yourself and others safe.

Signs or notices placed on-site, or instructions issued by employees of the Park Commission, supersede information posted here.

Parking Fees

Metered parking is in effect at these park areas:

Year-Round:

Fort Lee Historic Park

Allison Park

State Line Lookout
Note: First hour is free at State Line Lookout, but all drivers must enter their license plate number into the metered parking system via pay station or app upon arrival.

April – October:

Ross Dock Picnic Area

Englewood Picnic Area (south lots)

Alpine Picnic Area

Hazard’s Ramp
Only vehicles with trailers are allowed at Hazard’s, daily rate is $30.

Weekend Rates:
$2.50/hr.

Weekday Rates:
$1.50/hr.

Payment:
Use Credit/Debit Cards (no cash) at Pay Stations conveniently located in the parking areas or pay remotely using the Park Mobile or Flowbird apps.

Click here
for more information, including no-fee days and exemptions for NJ seniors and others!

There are no parking fees charged at other park areas.

Open | Closed in the Park

Park areas are open to the public from 6 AM to 9 PM daily.

State Line Lookout “Lookout Inn” refreshment stand is open Weds. – Sun., 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Kitchen closes at 4:15 PM.
Restrooms close at 4:45 PM.
Staff shortages and other factors may result in delayed openings or unexpected kitchen, bathroom, and/or building closures.
Call to confirm: 201-750-0465

Fort Lee Historic Park Visitor Center is open Weds. through Sun., 10 AM to 4:45 PM.
201-461-1776

The Kearney House is open most weekend & holiday afternoons and for special events.

Restrooms at Englewood Picnic Area closed for emergency repairs. (Port-a-johns available as of 4/17.)

Park offices are closed on all New Jersey State holidays.

HURRICANE IDA RECOVERY

Ongoing Until Further Notice:

Dyckman Hill Road (Englewood Cliffs park entrance) remains CLOSED TO ALL USE (vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians). Dyckman Hill Trail (yellow markers) remains open to hikers.

Park Headquarters building remains closed to the public for fire remediation (email & phone communication remain active). No public restrooms or water are available on site.

Signs or notices placed on-site, or instructions issued by employees of the Park Commission, supersede information posted here.

Most of the fourteen species of hawks and two species of vultures that occur regularly in New Jersey are seen here each fall. Most are migrants that nest in New England and Canada, while several species, such as the red-tailed hawk, are also year-round residents in the park.

All the photos below were taken at State Line Hawk Watch. The captions show an approximate time frame for migrant species. (Peak migration will usually occur near the middle of the time frame, but smaller numbers of each species may occur before or after the peak.)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus). Late August through early October.

Photo: Brandon Caswell.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Late Aug. through September., late October through mid-November (also some local birds).

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Late October through mid-November.

Photo: Kumar Patel.

Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus). September through October.

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii). Late September through October.

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). October through November.

Photo: Kumar Patel.

Broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus). September (most in mid-month).

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). September (most in mid-month).

Photo: Kumar Patel.

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). October through November (also active local population).

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Rough-legged hawk (Buteo lagopus). November and later (rare).

(No photos from State Line Hawk Watch — yet.)

American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Late August through early October.

Photo: Brandon Caswell.

Merlin (Falco columbarius). Mid-September through mid-October.

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Mid-September through October (also active local population).

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus). Throughout the season.

Photo: Kevin Watson.

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus). Throughout the season (also active local population).

Photo: Brandon Casswell.

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura — this animal shot with an arrow by an idiot, yet surviving…). Mid-October through November (also active local population).

Photo: Brandon Casswell.

Weather is a major factor in producing heavy flights: in general, the first or second day after a cold front, with winds out of the north, will bring the greatest number of birds.

Scenic Byway

Picnic Areas

Overlook Areas

Historic Sites

In the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey