Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation Area Gateway National Recreation Area is one of 430+ units within the U.S. National Park Service. Like all national parks, Gateway belongs to the American people.
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A large, diverse urban park spanning two states, Gateway combines recreational activities with natural beauty, wildlife preservation, military history and more. Visitors can hike, picnic, swim, sunbathe, bike, visit the oldest lighthouse in the nation, see an airplane collection and camp overnight, all in the New York metropolitan area. Gateway is one of the ten most visited national parks in the

country. This page opens a dialogue with those who already care about preserving Gateway's three units--- Jamaica Bay, Staten Island and Sandy Hook--- or who are discovering Gateway for the first time. Be the first to learn about special events throughout the park and let your voice be heard! If you wish to volunteer, please email [email protected]. We hope this will become a place where fans feel comfortable sharing information and experiences about Gateway National Recreation Area with one another. While this is an open forum, it is also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. Please be considerate of other fan's opinions. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here. If you do not comply, your message will be removed. We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization. We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Such posts and/or links are subject to deletion. People who continue to post such content and/or links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. We do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Posting of external links on this site that are intended as advertising (or to drive traffic to websites unrelated to Gateway National Recreation Area), or do not contribute to dialog and discussions about Gateway may be deleted. People who continue to post such links may be subject to page participation restrictions and/or removal from the page. External links do not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the U.S. National Park Service or the U.S. Department of Interior.

Visitors enjoyed the beaches of Gateway National Recreation Area long before it became part of the National Park System ...
08/31/2026

Visitors enjoyed the beaches of Gateway National Recreation Area long before it became part of the National Park System in 1972. These photos show beachgoers relaxing in the sun and surf at Sandy Hook’s beaches during the 1970s.

When did you first visit Gateway National Recreation Area? What activities did you enjoy during your first visit to the park?


Happy National Dog Day!Today we’re celebrating our favorite trail companions, beach walkers, adventure buddies, and four...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

Today we’re celebrating our favorite trail companions, beach walkers, adventure buddies, and four-legged explorers at Gateway National Recreation Area!
Whether your dog loves sniffing along a new trail, watching the waves at Great Kills Park, taking a stroll through Miller Field, or exploring Gateway’s pet-friendly areas, every walk is another adventure together.
And what better way to celebrate than becoming a B.A.R.K. Ranger?
Join us for our upcoming B.A.R.K. Ranger Program and learn how you and your four-legged companion can help protect the park while enjoying it responsibly.

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program
August 29, 2026
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Fort Wadsworth Overlook

Remember to give your adventure buddy an extra treat, an extra belly rub, and maybe an extra walk in the park.

We want to meet your Gateway adventure buddy! Share the name of your dog and a photo of your dog enjoying Gateway National Recreation Area.

Happy National Dog Day from Gateway National Recreation Area!

Happy National Dog Day! Here at Gateway dogs have played an important role at our different historic sites. Canines prov...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day! Here at Gateway dogs have played an important role at our different historic sites. Canines provided comfort and security to the servicemen that were once stationed at Fort Wadsworth, Fort Hancock, and Fort Tilden.
Pictured here are images found in the park Museum Collection. First is a group of soldiers posing with a dog at Fort Hancock, circa 1902. Sitting in front of the dog, with arms outstretched, is future Hollywood movie star Tom Mix, who became famous for his Westerns. The second photo is of a soldier from the 245th Coastal Artillery Regiment posing with the unit’s mascot, sometime during World War II. Lastly, a dog checks in on soldiers at a machine gun nest at Sandy Hook, also during WWII.



CONTENT SOURCES:
Primary sources from Gateway Museum Collection.

Photo Credit:

NPS Museum Collection

Catalog Numbers:

GATE- 11273, 4039, 19285

08/25/2026

“On this, the 110th anniversary of the National Park service we reaffirm our commitment to you. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”

Celebrating 110 years of the National Park Service!

In just 30 seconds, six dedicated rangers from across Gateway NRA Sandy Hook share one powerful message: their unwavering commitment to our visitors, our parks, and the mission that’s guided the NPS for over a century.

From beaches to bunkers, every corner of Sandy Hook reflects their passion and service. Here’s to 110 years of protecting America’s treasures — and to many more ahead.

08/25/2026

For the places that inspire us. For the stories that shape us.

110 years ago, America had a pretty good idea: protect some of its most extraordinary places so all could enjoy them for generations to come. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service. Since then, parks have connected us to the landscapes, stories, and people that have shaped the nation, from towering mountains and wild rivers to battlefields, historic spaces, and sacred places.

For over a century, they’ve given us places to explore, learn, remember, and simply stand in awe. And, of course, plenty of reasons to lace up the hiking boots and say, “It’s just a little farther.”

✨ Discover something new at Fort Hancock! ✨The newly refreshed Fort Hancock Museum is open and ready to welcome you with...
08/24/2026

✨ Discover something new at Fort Hancock! ✨
The newly refreshed Fort Hancock Museum is open and ready to welcome you with bold exhibits and fresh stories from our past.
Be sure to check out Dr. Heather Heckel, our Artist-in-Residence, and her powerful exhibition:
“10 Summers and 250 Years Advocating for Our Public Lands Through 30 Artist Residencies.”
Her work beautifully weaves together art, history, and stewardship - inviting you to see our public lands through a whole new lens. 🌿🎨
📍 Visit Saturdays & Sundays, 1:00 PM – 4:30 p.m.
Come inspired. Come curious. Come be part of the story.
Meet the Artist for an artist talk Sunday, August 30 and Sunday, September 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the Fort Hancock Museum.

Some stories are written in books. Some are preserved in historic places. And some are told through music.Join us at Gat...
08/21/2026

Some stories are written in books. Some are preserved in historic places. And some are told through music.

Join us at Gateway National Recreation Area as the Staten Island Philharmonic Orchestra brings music to the historic grounds of Fort Tompkins.

Surrounded by a place that has witnessed generations of American history, experience an evening where history and music come together reminding us that America’s story is not only something we preserve, but something we continue to create.

Staten Island Philharmonic Orchestra Historic Fort Tompkins, Fort Wadsworth Sunday, August 23 6:30 p.m. The concert will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.

Come enjoy the music, experience history, and celebrate America’s story in a place that helped shape it.

Photo description: Black-and-white close-up photograph of a musician playing a string instrument.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Summer isn’t over yet! Hold on to summer a little longer at Gateway National Recreation Area. Explore coastal trails, wa...
08/17/2026

Summer isn’t over yet! Hold on to summer a little longer at Gateway National Recreation Area. Explore coastal trails, watch for wildlife, and discover the history found throughout the parks.

For American women eager to get involved in the war effort during the Second World War, one option was to join the Women...
08/12/2026

For American women eager to get involved in the war effort during the Second World War, one option was to join the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Originally founded as the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, the WAAC became the WAC in 1943 after Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers introduced a bill to strike the ‘auxiliary’ designation, giving this unit military status. This picture shows a scene from Fort Hancock after President Roosevelt signed the legislation: in the background, Vera Hardwick looks on as Betty Wagner paints the superfluent ‘A’ out of the barracks sign on base.

With that said, military status didn’t necessarily correlate with greater respect, as the caption published alongside this picture in the Sandy Hook Fog Horn suggests: after a brief summary of the image, it concludes, “Now that the explanation is over, men, you may return to scrutiny of the photogenic pulchritude above.”

Nevertheless, the newly minted WAC members soldiered on, serving with distinction across the globe, working as radio operators, electricians, air traffic controllers, and more, right through the end of the Second World War and beyond.

Photo Credit:

NPS Museum Collection

Catalog Number:

GATE 3466

GATE 3575

CONTENT SOURCES:

Britannica Editors. “Women’s Army Corps,” Britannica. Accessed July 13, 2026, https://www.britannica.com/event/Womens-Armed-Services-Integration-Act.



Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association. “Army Women: WWII and Beyond,” Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association. Accessed July 13, 2026, https://www.armywomen.org/history.

From historic fortifications to incredible wildlife, there’s something for everyone!Bring the whole family for an evenin...
08/10/2026

From historic fortifications to incredible wildlife, there’s something for everyone!

Bring the whole family for an evening of interactive activities, educational exhibits, guided tours, and hands-on experiences that highlight the many chapters of American history represented at Sandy Hook.

Recreate250: Explore, Discover, Celebrate

📍 Sandy Hook Lighthouse Grounds
📅 Friday, August 14, 2026
🕓 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
🌧️ Rain date: August 21


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Staten Island, NY
10305

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