Gateway National Recreation Area
Trailie
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Gateway National Recreation Area at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- Half day–1 day
- Don't miss
- Sandy Hook Multi Use Path
- Nearby city
- Staten Island, NY
Explore this park
Alerts(7)
Power outage at Gunnison Beach, MAST & MAST pump station 7/16, 7/22, 7/28
Disconnects/Reconnects connected to the Fort Hancock Water/Wastewater project are scheduled for July 16, July 22, and July 28. Each disconnect/reconnect will last one day. Work hours may extend to 4:30 pm due to JCP&L line crew availability. Affected areas include MAST, the MAST pump station, and the Gunnison Beach Center. Power will be disconnected at 8:30 am and reconnected at 4:30 pm. No overnight outages are anticipated.
Ryan Visitor Center Phone Line Out of Service
The Floyd Bennett Field Ryan Visitor Center phone line (718-338-3799) is out of service. For information on ranger programs in the Jamaica Bay Unit, call the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center at 718-318-4340. For questions about permits, events, or other park information, call the general park information line at 718-354-4606. For emergencies, call U.S. Park Police's 24-hour dispatch at 718-354-4700.
Jacob Riis Park Access Restrictions
NPS detailsDue to extremely hazardous conditions Gateway National Recreation Area has restricted access to sections of Jacob Riis Park. Erosion has created unsafe conditions from Bays 1-5, and portions of the eastern beach are closed.
North Beach Tip at Sandy Hook closed
NPS detailsNorth Beach Tip at Sandy Hook is closed to access until further notice due to nesting bird activity.
Dead Horse Bay (Brooklyn) Remains Closed to the Public
The entire southern area of Dead Horse Bay, including Glass Bottle Beach, is closed to the public. Dead Horse Bay is located in Brooklyn, NYC.
Spring Creek (Queens) Closed to the Public
NPS detailsSpring Creek is closed to the public at this time. The NPS is conducting field investigations as part of a Remedial Investigation at the site. Spring Creek is located in Queens, NYC.
Dogs Not allowed on ocean beaches in Jamaica Bay and Sandy Hook March 15- Sept. 15
NPS detailsDogs are not allowed on ocean beaches at Sandy Hook between March 15 through September 15. Dogs are not allowed on the ocean beaches at Jacob Riis Park, Fort Tilden, Breezy Point Tip and at the bayside of Breezy Point between March 15 through September 15
Common questions
Planning Gateway National Recreation Area
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 4 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Sandy Hook Beach Parking and Jacob Riis Park Daily Beach Parking — covering timed entry and activity permits. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.
