Snake Hill

Snake Hill is a rock outcrop in Secaucus that rises roughly 60 feet (18 m) above the Meadowlands wetlands. The formation consists of diabase rock and sits near the Hackensack River, where a walking trail runs along the water's edge.

From 1855 to 1962, the location housed several major institutions including a prison, tuberculosis facility, and psychiatric hospital. This period shaped the area and left a deep mark on its past.

The rock has long served as a gathering place where visitors leave their mark through paintings and carvings. Over time, it became a symbol of local identity and youthful tradition for those who live nearby.

The site is reached via a walking trail that crosses the wetlands and provides various viewpoints along the route. The best time to visit is during drier months when the ground is more stable and easier to navigate.

Workers demolishing structures in the early 2000s uncovered the remains of about 4,500 deceased patients buried beneath the site. This discovery revealed the scale of human history that the location held.

Location: Secaucus

GPS coordinates: 40.75780,-74.08911

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:44