• Get away to Gateway, where you can camp and stay healthy with heart-smart activities. Photo by Sebastiano Privitera; used by permission.

    Gateway

    National Recreation Area NY,NJ

Things To Do

Fun at Jacob Riis Park beach.

Jacob Riis Park beach has something for all species.

NPS PHOTO by Kalie Swails

Reopening after Hurricane Sandy

By May 1 most, but not all, areas of the park will be open again for visitors to enjoy, with all lifeguarded beaches available by Memorial Day. The park will continue to work on areas that are not yet safe for visitors. Go ahead and start to Plan Your Visit now. Keep up with our progress here, and join our conversation on our Facebook page.

The National Park Service values your safety above all other concerns. For your safety, please respect the closure of park areas until they are deemed safe to reopen.

 

Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is a 2,044 acre barrier beach peninsula at the northern tip of the New Jersey shore. The park includes seven miles of ocean beaches, salt marshes, hiking trails and a maritime holly forest. Historic sites include the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States.

Birding, hiking, wind surfing, fishing and exploring the park's natural and cultural resources are available year round.

 

Staten Island

Discover the three sites within Staten Island that share exciting opportunities in every season to exploring historic military fortifications, enjoying the ocean beaches, recreation, and discovering natural resources. The three areas of Staten Island Unit are:

  • Fort Wadsworth
  • Miller Field
  • Great Kills
 

Jamaica Bay
Located in Brooklyn and Queens, Jamaica Bay is home to ocean beaches, restored grasslands, aircraft hangars, sports fields, marinas and historic fortifications. Within this unit, the National Park Service manages well-known sites such as:

  • Floyd Bennett Field
  • Jacob Riis Park
  • Canarsie Pier
  • Plumb Beach
  • Frank Charles Park
  • Fort Tilden
  • Breezy Point
  • Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
  • Break the grip of the RIP (current) Break the grip of the RIP (current)

    Rip tides can carry even strong swimmers out to sea. Learn how to save your own life by "breaking the grip of the rip." Read More

  • Bike Gateway Bike Gateway

    Biking is a great way to go Gateway. With miles of roads and paved multi-use paths, you can enjoy natural and historic areas while gaining healthy exercise. Read More

  • Sailing and Kayaking Programs at Jamaica Bay Sailing and Kayaking Programs at Jamaica Bay

    Come have fun boating with a National Park Service Ranger. Read More

  • How do I get there? How do I get there?

    By car, bus, subway, bike, ferry or feet! If you live in the New York and New Jersey area, Gateway is closer than you think. Read More

Did You Know?

Women's Army Corps soldiers crossing out the

Did you know that Fort Hancock, unlike most Army posts during World War II, had a racially integrated unit? The 1225th Army Service Unit had African-American soldiers and in 1943 received a group from the Women's Army Corps. More...