Tent at  Floyd Bennett Field campsite in Gateway's Jamaica Bay unit.

Gateway National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area ยท New York, New Jersey

NPS Photo

๐Ÿ“ StateNew York, New Jersey
๐Ÿ›๏ธ TypeNational Recreation Area
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ EntryFree
๐Ÿƒ Activities9
Official NPS Website โ†’
Gateway National Recreation Area

US National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey

Gateway National Recreation Area is a 26,607-acre (10,767ย ha) U.S. National Recreation Area in New York City and Monmouth County, New Jersey. It provides recreational opportunities that are not commonly found in a dense urban environment, including ocean swimming, bird watching, boating, hiking and camping. More than 8.7 million people visited Gateway National Recreation Area in 2022, making it the fourth-most visited unit of the National Park Service.

WikipediaWikidataSource: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

About Gateway National Recreation Area

Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for millions of visitors every year. Gateway offers green spaces and beaches alongside historic structures and cultural landscapes. Every day, Gateway is open for you to explore, envision, and enjoy!

Park Photos

Tent at  Floyd Bennett Field campsite in Gateway's Jamaica Bay unit.
Visitors enjoying the sun and sand at Jacob Riis Park
The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
The Sandy Hook lighthouse and keepers quarters
Battery Weed is the fort under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in Staten Island.

Activities

Operating Hours

Jamaica Bay Unit hours

Includes Bergen Beach, Floyd Bennett Field, Fort Tilden, Frank Charles Park, Hamilton Beach, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Canarsie Pier, Jacob Riis Park, North Channel Bridge, Plumb Beach and Spring Creek.

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6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM

Sandy Hook hours

Sandy Hook is open from 6 am to 9 pm.

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6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM

Staten Island hours

The Staten Island unit includes Fort Wadsworth, Great Kills and Miller Field. The park is open from 6 am to 9 pm.

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6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM6:00AM - 9:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to enter Gateway National Recreation Area?

Gateway National Recreation Area is free to enter.

What are the best activities at Gateway National Recreation Area?

Popular activities at Gateway National Recreation Area include: Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Guided Tours, Paddling, Kayaking, Swimming.

What is the weather like at Gateway National Recreation Area?

Gateway National Recreation Area includes several separate land areas spread throughout the New York metropolitan area. The New York area experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures are moderate in the spring and fall, but range from the high 90's during the summer to snow and sleet in winter.

How do I get to Gateway National Recreation Area?

Gateway is located in two states; NJ and NY, and has three units: Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook and Staten Island. You can access most of our park by car and public transportation. Please visit our website for specific directions to all of our units

Entrance Fees

Free Admission

Weather

Gateway National Recreation Area includes several separate land areas spread throughout the New York metropolitan area. The New York area experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures are moderate in the spring and fall, but range from the high 90's during the summer to snow and sleet in winter.

Directions

Gateway is located in two states; NJ and NY, and has three units: Jamaica Bay, Sandy Hook and Staten Island. You can access most of our park by car and public transportation. Please visit our website for specific directions to all of our units

๐Ÿ“ View on Google Maps โ†’

Location

Coordinates40.5654, -73.9171

Official Resources

NPS Official Website