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.
(221)

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.

  in 1944, the Allied forces launched the invasion of Normandy in the European Theater, making it a turning point for th...
06/06/2026

in 1944, the Allied forces launched the invasion of Normandy in the European Theater, making it a turning point for the Allies during World War II. Did you know that Floyd Bennett Field played a significant role during WWII? After it was sold to the U.S. Navy, the former airfield was known as Naval Air Station – New York. The major manufacturers of naval aircrafts were within the NY metro area: Grumman, Chance-Vought, and General Motors. All the planes created from these three companies were tested, fitted and commissioned out at NAS-NY. The planes were then sent to the Pacific Theater. By the end of the war, NAS-NY received 25% of the aircrafts used by the US Navy during WWII. That’s approximately 40,000 aircrafts!

Have you ever wondered who Fort Wadsworth was named after? Fort Wadsworth honors Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth, a...
06/03/2026

Have you ever wondered who Fort Wadsworth was named after?

Fort Wadsworth honors Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth, a Civil War leader known for his service and dedication to the Union Army. Today, his name lives on at one of the most historic military sites in New York Harbor.

For generations, Fort Wadsworth stood watch over the harbor, playing a major role in protecting New York City and shaping America’s military history.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, places like Fort Wadsworth remind us that behind every historic landmark is a story worth remembering.

Question of the Day:
What’s your favorite historic site to visit in New York City?

Have you seen the sunsets at Sandy Hook?Summer is a great time to watch the sun set on Sandy Hook Bay. It’s a great way ...
06/01/2026

Have you seen the sunsets at Sandy Hook?

Summer is a great time to watch the sun set on Sandy Hook Bay. It’s a great way to end the day after sunning at the beaches, exploring the fort, or hiking the trails.

Where’s your favorite place to watch the sunset?

What’s the buzz? These bumblebees are busy drinking nectar and pollinating. Bees are essential pollinators that transfer...
05/29/2026

What’s the buzz? These bumblebees are busy drinking nectar and pollinating. Bees are essential pollinators that transfer pollen from flower to flower, which in turn supports the ecosystem. In this video, you get to witness a bumblebee do “buzz pollination”. They are one of the few bee species that vibrate flowers to release pollen. If you see a bee, there is no need to harm it, they won’t harm you. They are an important part of the pollination process. 🐝🌼

🌸May, you were beautiful🌊From blooming trails to breezy shorelines, thank you for spending part of your spring with us.🌞...
05/27/2026

🌸May, you were beautiful

🌊From blooming trails to breezy shorelines, thank you for spending part of your spring with us.

🌞Summer’s right around the corner… are you ready?

Join the National Parks of New York Harbor and Gateway National Recreation Area on June 6, 2026, in celebrating National...
05/22/2026

Join the National Parks of New York Harbor and Gateway National Recreation Area on June 6, 2026, in celebrating National Trails Day with a birding trip! Join a ranger for a walk around West Pond in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, all skill levels welcome! Binoculars provided, meet in the Visitor Center at 11 a.m.

In the 1970s, ospreys were on the brink of extinction, being placed on the Endangered Species List. Their decline was du...
05/15/2026

In the 1970s, ospreys were on the brink of extinction, being placed on the Endangered Species List. Their decline was due to the pesticide DDT. Federal, state, and private agencies helped spur the raptor’s recovery by erecting artificial nest platforms and engaging in active reintroduction. In the early 1990s, here at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a nesting platform was introduced. It is still the same platform you can view from the trail nowadays. Thanks to the ban of DDT as well as the improvement of the estuary ecosystem, ospreys have thrived to the point that they are no longer on the Endangered Species list.

Are you ready for a FUN-filled weekend on the Hook?! 😎 🐟 Annual Ocean Fun Day!🕑 Sunday, May 17: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm📍 NJ S...
05/14/2026

Are you ready for a FUN-filled weekend on the Hook?! 😎

🐟 Annual Ocean Fun Day!
🕑 Sunday, May 17: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
📍 NJ Sea Grant Consortium – Building #22

💡 Sandy Hook Lighthouse Tours
🕑 Every Fri, Sat, Sun, & Mon: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
❗ Children must be 48 inches tall

🪖 Coastal Defense Day
🕑 Sunday, May 17: 11:00 pm – 4:00 pm
📍 Beach Plaza G – Battery Gunnison

🏠 Fort Hancock Museum
🕑 Sunday, May 17: 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
📍 Building #28

🏠 History House
🕑 Every Fri, Sat, Sun, & Mon: 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
📍 Officer’s Row House #1

🚀 Nike Missile Radar Site Tour
🕑 Sunday, May 17: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
📍 Parking Lot L – Horseshoe Cove

The Sandy Hook Visitor Center and Official Park Store will be open Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon from 10 AM – 4 PM.

Visit the calendar page on our website: www.nps.gov/gate for more information. See you in the park!

Wildlife Wednesday Challenge!Keep your eyes open…Spring means wildlife is on the move! From shorebirds to butterflies, G...
05/13/2026

Wildlife Wednesday Challenge!
Keep your eyes open…
Spring means wildlife is on the move! From shorebirds to butterflies, Gateway is full of life this time of year.
And speaking of wildlife…
Alright bird experts, this one’s for you.
We caught this feathered visitor in action…
but can YOU guess what kind of bird it is?
Drop your best guess below
Bonus points if you’ve spotted one in the park!
Have you seen something cool lately? Share it in the comments, we love to see what you see!

Join us this weekend as we celebrate Earth's "living fossil" at our 10th Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival! Meet us and our...
05/12/2026

Join us this weekend as we celebrate Earth's "living fossil" at our 10th Annual Horseshoe Crab Festival!

Meet us and our partners down at Sunset Cove & American Ballfields Park in Broad Channel, Queens from 10AM-2PM for a chance to explore the shoreline and learn more about these amazing creatures up close!

We'll be joined by a bunch of our friends, including Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, American Littoral Society, NYC Bird Alliance, and NYC Plover Project.

Hope to see you there!

Address

210 New York Avenue
Staten Island, NY
10305

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gateway National Recreation Area posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

Category