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!
Quick Facts
Operating 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.
Activities
Getting There
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
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Fishing at Gateway
Visitors are able to fish at many sites throughout Gateway. A fishing/parking permit is required after hours throughout the park.…
Sandy Hook Multi Use Path
See the breathtaking natural scenery and historic military buildings of Sandy Hook's peninsula by bike. Sandy Hook's multi use path…
Cross Country Skiing at Floyd Bennett Field
After a snow fall visitors can cross country ski in Floyd Bennett Field's North Forty Natural Area. Park rangers will…
Cross Country Ski at Floyd Bennett Field
Birdwatching at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is well known as a great place to bird watch, for both the beginner and…
From raptors to ducks, you can see them all at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Visitor Centers
Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center
Learn about one of the oldest military installations in the nation on the northeastern shore of Staten Island.
Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is the gateway to this 900-acre preserve, home to salt marshes, uplands, open bay and beach areas, and…
Hours: Gateway's Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
Ryan Visitor Center
The Visitors Center, once New York City's first airport terminal, now houses a ranger desk, a bookstore, bathrooms, and many exhibits on the history of…
Hours: The Ryan's Visitor Center is closed for the winter.
Sandy Hook Visitors Centers- Lighthouse Keepers Quarters
Discover information about the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the U.S. at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse Keepers Quarters
Hours: Gateway's Sandy Hook Visitor Center is open Friday-Monday 10 am - 4 pm.
Campgrounds
Fort Wadsworth Campsite
The Fort Wadsworth Campground is currently closed.
Sandy Hook Camp Ground
20 tent campsites are available at Sandy Hook for seasonal camping. 2025 season opens May 9, 2025. Reservations are available through Recreation.gov.
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