The 26,607 acres that make up the Gateway National Recreation
Area actually extend through 3 entire New York City boroughs (Breezy
Point Unit, Jamaica Bay Unit, and Staten Island Unit) and up into
northern New Jersey (Sandy Hook Unit).
The Park features beaches, marshes, islands and the waters of
the New York harbor area. Visitors and urban residents can enjoy
a wide variety of recreational opportunities, Including camping,
hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, bird watching, swimming,
boating, fishing, auto touring, organized sports and ranger-led
programs. The Sandy Hook Unit, in New Jersey, offers beaches,
flora and fauna, and historic structures like the Sandy Hook Lighthouse,
which was built in 1764, and is the oldest operational light in
the United States.
Gateway National Recreation Area’s sites are open year-round
from sunrise to sunset. Most sites have extended hours during
the summer. Permits for certain after-hours activities are required.
