Recreation Areas

Join the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy for Pilates in the Park , a free monthly wellness event held on the second Wednesday of each month from April through October at 6 p.m. Set in the peaceful field near the parking lot at Powers Island, this all‑levels class offers a refreshing way to unwind, move, and connect with nature along the Chattahoochee River. This wellness program is dedicated to building equitable opportunities for all individuals to enjoy programs like this in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Participants should bring their own mat and come ready to enjoy an hour of mindful movement in one of the city’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Whether you're a seasoned Pilates enthusiast or trying it for the first time, this community event is a perfect mid‑week reset in the heart of the park. Bathrooms and water fountains are available near the parking lot. What to bring: Water bottle Mat or towel

Explore the stories of Big South Fork through weekly ranger-led programs at Blue Heron Visitor Center. Programs are offered Wednesday-Saturday at 1:00 PM ET and Sunday at 3:45 PM ET. Each program features a different topic exploring the history, culture, and natural resources of the park. Program is worth 5 GO BIG points. To learn more about the GO BIG Challenge, visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Built in 1898 and designated a lieutenant’s quarters on Officers Row, History House is furnished to the WWII era, the busiest time in the fort’s history. Enjoy this unique experience at your own pace with a self-guided tour.

Tours are first come first served. Visitors are guided up 95 steps and a 9-rung ladder to the lantern room. Children must be 48 inches or taller to climb. Each tour is approximately 30 minutes long. Tour signups start at 12:30 in the Sandy Hook Visitor Center.

Bandy Creek Campground program every Friday at 6 :30 PM ET. Meet at the Campfire Circle across from the pool. Attendance is worth 5 GO BIG Points. To learn more about the 2026 GO BIG Challenge visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service) .

Pull up a rocking chair with a park ranger at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area! Every Friday in October at 2:00 PM ET, join a park ranger for a porch talk at Bandy Creek Visitor Center. These 15–20-minute talks will cover a variety of topics that change each week, including local wildlife, Appalachian culture, park history, hiking tips, and more. Whether you're visiting Big South Fork for the first time or have been exploring the park for years, there's always something new to learn and discover. Program is worth 5 GO BIG points. To learn more about the GO BIG Challenge, visit Big South Fork GO BIG Challenge - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)

Join us for a tour around Fort Tompkins as we explore the fort and surrounding areas. Inclement weather will cancel this program. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Call 718-354-4500 to make a reservation.

Stop by the Life-Saving Station, operated by our park friends group, the Sandy Hook Foundation, to explore the historic building and visit the shop.

Discover Floyd Bennett Field’s aviation history and explore restored aircrafts at a historic airplane hangar. Explore on your own during open house hours or join a park ranger for a guided tour at 10:30 a.m.

From the Revolutionary War to the Cold War, Sandy Hook boasts a rich military history. Stop in and learn about Sandy Hook’s history from cannons to missiles.

Join Us Saturdays and Sundays in October at the Historic Rugby Visitor Center for 'Critter Corner'! From 9 AM to 5 PM ET on Saturdays and Noon to 5 PM on Sundays families can explore animal pelts and skulls, browse nature books, enjoy coloring pages, and chat with a ranger about the critters of Big South Fork.

Join us for a park ranger-led program highlighting the nature and history of Jamaica Bay. For more information about a week's tour, call the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 718-318-4340. Saturday, 10/3: Junior Ranger Birding Buddies Join us on our Junior Ranger Birding Buddies' program, made for our Junior Rangers who are new to birding. We will learn the skills and tools used to have a fun outdoor adventure! Sunday, 10/4: Birding for Beginners Interested in birds, but feel intimidated about getting into birding? No problem, this is birding for beginners! Together we will take a nature walk, talk about what makes Jamaica Bay such a great place for birds, and give you the tools to learn the basics of bird identification and appreciation. Bug spray and sunscreen are recommended, binoculars available. Saturday, 10/10: Junior Ranger Walk: Bees and Butterflies of Jamaica Bay Bees and butterflies are a welcome summer sight in our gardens, yards, and parks! These little bugs are important pollinators who keep our environment in good working order. Join a ranger on a guided walk to learn all about the bees and butterflies that inhabit Jamaica Bay. Sunday, 10/11: Soils & Sounds of Jamaica Bay What do you come to see at the refuge? What do you come to hear? Activate your senses and join a ranger-guided walk to explore the landscapes and soundscapes that have shaped Jamaica Bay. Sunday, 10/18: Soils & Sounds of Jamaica Bay What do you come to see at the refuge? What do you come to hear? Activate your senses and join a ranger-guided walk to explore the landscapes and soundscapes that have shaped Jamaica Bay. Saturday, 10/24: Junior Ranger Birding Buddies Join us on our Junior Ranger Birding Buddies' program, made for our Junior Rangers who are new to birding. We will learn the skills and tools used to have a fun outdoor adventure! Saturday, 10/31: Halloween Fall Foliage Walk While leaves change colors and animals prepare for winter, join a park ranger on a walk to learn about the changes we're seeing in Jamaica Bay. This spooky Halloween walk may leave you in for a fright as we focus on the macabre... costumes encouraged.