Eden Landing

Eden Landing Ecological Reserve provides a popular new launch for paddlers with its high quality facilities and exceptional bird watching. Eden Landing Ecological Reserve offers access to Mt Eden Creek from a new public boat launch and an array of amenities that to allow visitors to experience and learn about South Bay salt marsh habitats and ongoing habitat restoration efforts.

The facilities consist of a high-freeboard dock and gangway on Mt Eden Creek in the northern portion of the Reserve. Water access facilities include an ADA gangway that leads to a high-freeboard dock with a low-float attachment for use by non-motorized small boats.

Eden Landing Ecological Reserve’s launch facilities are located approximately 1/4-mile from the primary parking area. During daylight hours, the gated road to the boat launch is open and visitors can drive to a loading/unloading zone adjacent to the launch. A turf rigging area is located in this area near the top of the gangway. There is also ADA parking located near the top of the launch.

Google Maps Directions

To access the launch, take the Clawiter Road/Eden Landing Road exit from Highway 92, and go south of the highway on Eden Landing Road to the end, near the intersection of Arden Road.

The parking lot contains approximately 30 spaces and is located approximately 1/4 mile from the launch. There are also three ADA parking spaces located adjacent to the top of the launch.

During daylight hours the gate to the launch is open and vehicles can drive to drop/pick up gear at a gear rigging area located at the launch.

There is one ADA portable restroom located at the parking lot.

In addition to the boat launch, facilities at Eden Landing Ecological Reserve include an ADA portable restroom and several miles of Bay Trail. The recently completed Bay Trail extension includes interpretive displays about the natural and cultural history of the Reserve and former salt ponds. The Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center is located two miles (driving) from the boat launch. This center features exhibits, programs, and activities to educate the public, particularly youth, about the habitats and history of the San Francisco Bay Estuary.

The site offers ADA accessible parking near the top of an ADA gangway that leads to a high-freeboard dock with a low-float attachment. ADA portable restrooms are offered in the parking area 1/2-mile from the launch.

Waterfowl hunting is allowed at the Reserve on specified hunting dates during the year (approximately 10 days in November-January). On these dates, access to the Reserve is closed to the public, except registered hunters. These dates are announced at the beginning of the year and posted on CDFW’s website. It is anticipated that on these days hunters will use the launch for canoes, kayaks, or other craft to access hunting areas.

Boaters are advised to consult local tide charts before launching and should be aware that extensive mud flats may be exposed and even shallow draft vessels can be subject to hidden underwater hazards during low tides. Although Mt Eden Creek remains navigable at all tides, extensive mudflats at creeks mouth with the Bay can become unnavigable at lower tides.

There is a stormwater overflow pipe that releases adjacent to the south of the boat launch. After storm events this pipe can discharge substantial quanities of water that could create a hazard to paddlers.

The Eden Landing Ecological Reserve contains approximately 6,400 acres of restored salt ponds, adjacent diked marshes, and transitional areas to uplands that are managed for resident and migratory waterbirds and other tidal marsh habitats and species.

Waterfowl species commonly seen in the area include mallard, Northern shoveler and pintail, ruddy duck, canvasback, widgeon, gadwall, scaup and Canada goose, among many others. In marsh areas, egrets, herons, stilts, avocets and sandpipers rest and prey on invertebrates in the shallow water and exposed mud flats. Managed salt ponds and diked areas also support wintering ducks. Tidal marsh habitat also acts as a significant nursery habitat for species of anadromous fish such as salmon and steelhead.

The Water Trail recommends boaters maintain a buffer distance of 50 feet from Ridgway’s rail and 820 feet from large groups of floating waterbirds. To help you visualize what these distances mean, 100 feet is approximately the distance of six sea kayaks.

Website: Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center

Eden Landing – Water Trail Site Report

CDFW – Eden Landing Ecological Reserve Website

Hayward Shoreline Interpretive Center