Gateway National Recreation Area
Trailie
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Gateway National Recreation Area plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
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
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!
Weather Information
Gateway National Recreation Area includes several separate land areas spread throughout the New York metropolitan area. The New York area experiences four distinct seasons. Temperatures are moderate
- Spring
and fall, but range from the high 90's during the
- Summer
to snow and sleet in winter.
Operating Hours
Jamaica Bay Unit 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.
- Monday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 9:00PM
Sandy Hook hours
Sandy Hook is open from 6 am to 9 pm.
- Monday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 9:00PM
Staten Island hours
The Staten Island unit includes Fort Wadsworth, Great Kills and Miller Field. The park is open from 6 am to 9 pm.
- Monday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Tuesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Wednesday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Thursday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Friday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Saturday6:00AM - 9:00PM
- Sunday6:00AM - 9:00PM
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.
