Plan Ahead For Your Visit

Gateway National Recreation Area is open, but there are some changes in operations- UPDATED March 1, 2023.

Hours of Operation

Sandy Hook: 6 am to 9 pm
Canarsie Pier and Jacob Riis Park: 6 am to 10 pm
All Other Jamaica Bay Sites: 6 am to 9 pm
Staten Island Units: 6 am to 9 pm

Permit Updates:

2023 permits for fishing access (parkwide), off-road vehicle access (Breezy Point, Queens), Great Kills Boat Ramp Parking (Staten Island), and archery (Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn) are on sale ONLINE ONLY through recreation.gov. More information can be found here.
2023 OFF-ROAD VEHICLE ACCESS PERMITS ARE SOLD OUT.

Visitor Centers

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: Open 10-4 Friday-Monday
Ryan Visitor Center (Floyd Bennett Field): Open 10-4 Sat-Sun. Phone Number is 718-338-3799.
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center : Open 10-4 Friday-Monday. Phone Number is 718-354-4500.
Sandy Hook: Open 10-4 Sat-Sun
Ranger program are also available. Visit our event calendar for more information and to see if you need to make a reservation. Reservations are required for many ranger programs.

Pets

Dogs are prohibited on Jamaica Bay and Sandy Hook ocean beaches from from March 15 -September 15. Service dogs with proper identification are permitted. Dogs are prohibited at all times at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Dogs must be on leashes at all times. More information can be found on our pets page.

Mask-Wearing:

Masks are optional in all federal buildings in Gateway National Recreation Area. The Jamaica Bay and Staten Island units are at Low COVID-19 Community Level as identified by the CDC, while the Sandy Hook Units is at Medium COVID-19 Community Level.

We will continue to use the CDC's COVID-19 community level tool, for decision making.

Masks remain required on all forms of public transit that operate within parks, including busses, trains, and boats/ferries, and in indoor transportation hubs.

Beach Parking Fees

There are no entrance fees for Gateway National Recreation Area. However, there is a charge for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day at Jacob Riis Park in Queens, N.Y. and at Sandy Hook, N.J. Beach parking is $20 per day or $100 per season for both Riis Park and Sandy Hook. Credit cards are the preferred method of payment.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. Swimming is prohibited at all beach areas when lifeguards are not on duty.

Picnicking

Picnicking is allowed first come-first serve at Jacob Riis Park and Canarsie Pier. Barbecuing and open flames are only allowed in the designated picnic areas.
Permits for group picnicking are available for Fort Tilden and Miller Field.

Camping

The Sandy Hook campsite will open in late Spring. Reservations are available ONLINE ONLY through Recreation.gov. Both the Brooklyn and Fort Wadsworth campsites remain closed at this time.

Sports League Permits (Fort Tilden, Frank Charles Park, Miller Field)

Sports leagues permits for low and medium impact sports are now available. Permits are only available through phone call, e-mail, or appointment.

Please contact the Jamaica Bay Unit, Permit Office [phone] or the Staten Island Permit Office [phone] for updated information for sports league permits.