In order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our visitors, Gateway National Recreation Area requires permits and in some cases fees for certain individual and group activities. Permits may be park-wide or may pertain to specific park units only. The following information will assist you, but please check with the park for further information or with specific questions. 

Permits for Jamaica Bay Unit
Permits for Sandy Hook Unit
Permits for Staten Island Unit

When do I need to apply for a Special Use Permit?

Special Use Permits are required when use of a park area goes beyond basic visitor use or has potential impact on park resources. Filming for uses other than news or planning a special events are two examples. Visitor use amenities may also require fees for parking, fishing, camping, boat launching, etc.

Why must I pay a fee for a permit, or even just to apply for one?

Processing fees help the park to recover costs incurred in processing your application. Fees help the park recover costs which are incurred when your activity takes place. Examples include: location fees, facility use fees, monitoring of a special event or film shooting, performance bonds and utilities. Fees vary depending on the service provided. Parks do not make a profit from permits fees.

Where do I start?

Each unit of Gateway National Recreation Area processes its own permit applications. To apply, contact the offices of the unit where your event will take place.

• Jamaica Bay Unit includes Floyd Bennett Field, Jacob Riis Park, Fort Tilden, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Canarsie Pier and Frank Charles Park. Contact 718-338-3338, #250 or e-mail us 
• Sandy Hook Unit includes historic Fort Hancock as well as the beaches at Sandy Hook. Contact 732-872-5910 or e-mail us
• Staten Island Unit includes Fort Wadsworth, Great Kills Park and Miller Field. Contact 718-351-6975 or e-mail us

Fishing Permits: A Different Kettle of Fish

Because Gateway National Recreation Area includes areas in two different states, the laws of each state determine what kind of permit you need to fish at the park.

Gateway's Fishing Parking Permit is required at all fishing sites in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, and for night fishing at Sandy Hook. It is an annual fishing parking permit good for the calendar year. The cost is $50 and the permit may be purchased at any of the park Units.

As of January 1, 2010, individuals who have the potential to take certain fish in the waters around Sandy Hook are required by law to first register with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Fisheries Service at https://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/register/ The Saltwater Angler Registry is part of an improved data program to help protect the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing.

At Sandy Hook the fishing parking permit is sold at the Sandy Hook Visitor Center (10-5 daily) and the Sandy Hook Ranger Station (24 hours, daily). For more information call 732-872-5970.

The Jamaica Bay Unit sells fishing parking permits at the Visitor Contact Station in Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. Permits are sold seven days a week from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. For more information about permit sales in the Jamaica Bay Unit call 718-338-3799.

The Staten Island Unit sells fishing parking permits at Great Kills Park on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,and Monday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Miller Field sells fishing permits Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Contact the Staten Island Unit at 718-987-6790 for information on permit sales at those locations.

A Recreational Marine Fishing License is now required in New York State. For more information go to http://dec.ny.gov/permits/54950.html