Where is Gateway National Recreation Area, Staten Island / Jamaica Bay, New York?

Written by | Updated On: December 03, 2025, 14:30 ET

Gateway National Recreation Area is located in New York and New Jersey, USA. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean and New York Harbor, situated in the New York City metropolitan area, and is famous for its beaches, wildlife, and outdoor activities.

Gateway National Recreation Area Location Map, Staten Island / Jamaica Bay, New York

Where is Gateway National Recreation Area Located in Staten Island / Jamaica Bay, New York
About Map: The map showing location of Gateway National Recreation Area in the Staten Island / Jamaica Bay, New York in the United States.

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Top Attractions Inside Gateway National Recreation Area

  • Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge – Expansive wetlands and salt marshes, perfect for bird-watching, nature walks, and wildlife spotting.
  • Sandy Hook Beaches & Fort Hancock – Historic coastal area with ocean beaches, dunes, maritime forest, and 19th-century fortifications.
  • Sandy Hook Lighthouse – Oldest continuously operating U.S. lighthouse offering scenic coastal views and a glimpse into maritime history.
  • Fort Tilden & Beaches – Secluded ocean beaches and dunes with hiking trails and a historic military battery overlooking the water.
  • Great Kills Park – Staten Island park with beaches, salt marshes, trails, and recreational opportunities like fishing and boating.
  • Fort Wadsworth / Staten Island Overlooks – Historic fortifications with elevated vantage points and panoramic views of New York Harbor.
  • Floyd Bennett Field – Former municipal airport now offering open green spaces for biking, kayaking, birding, and quiet nature walks.
  • Multi-use Trails & Water Activities – Coastal and marsh trails for hiking, biking, kayaking, and fishing throughout the park.

Gateway National Recreation Area Facts

Official NameGateway National Recreation Area
LocationNew York City (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens) & Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
Latitude & Longitude (approx.)40.4540° N, 73.9970° W
Total Area≈ 26,607 acres (≈ 107.7 km²)
Established / DesignatedOctober 27, 1972
Managed ByNational Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
Region / CoverageNew York – New Jersey Harbor & Coastal Estuary Region (includes beaches, bays, marshes, uplands, historic sites)
Main Units / AreasJamaica Bay Unit (Brooklyn & Queens), Staten Island Unit, Sandy Hook Unit (New Jersey)
Significance / PurposeUrban‑accessible natural, recreational & historic landscapes — beaches, marshes, bays, coastal uplands, wildlife refuges, historic forts/airfields, cultural and ecological preservation
Famous ForBeaches & ocean swimming, salt‑marsh & bay ecosystems (including the only NPS wildlife refuge in NYC area — Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge), historic forts & military sites, historic airport fields, coastal and urban‑waterfront recreation, bird‑watching & marine/nature habitats
Typical Activities & OfferingsOcean swimming, beach recreation, boating, fishing, bird watching, hiking & nature walks, bicycling, camping, picnicking, cultural/historic site visits, sailing, kayaking, environmental education & ranger‑led programs
Visitor Numbers8,728,291 (in 2022)
Entry / Access InfoPublic access to beaches, marshes, parks and many sites — free; certain facilities (campgrounds, boat launches, permit‑required activities) may require fee or permit
Governance / CompositionComprises three main units across two states (NY & NJ), mixing land, marshes, submerged estuarine waters, coastal islands — administered by NPS with parts in cooperation with other agencies or local governments
Environmental & Cultural ImportanceOne of the largest open‑space and coastal‑wetland preserves accessible to a major metropolitan population; preserves historic defense sites, aviation history, coastal ecosystems, salt‑marshes, dunes, estuarine waters and wildlife habitat
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/gate

Distances from Gateway National Recreation Area to Nearby Landmarks

  • Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge – 0 km (0 mi)
  • Fort Tilden – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Jacob Riis Park – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Riis Beach – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Rockaway Beach – 6 km (3.7 mi)
  • Floyd Bennett Field – 7 km (4.3 mi)
  • Staten Island Greenbelt – 12 km (7.5 mi)
  • New York Harbor – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Battery Park, Manhattan – 22 km (13.7 mi)
  • Brooklyn Bridge – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Liberty State Park, NJ – 18 km (11.2 mi)
  • Ellis Island – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Statue of Liberty – 21 km (13.0 mi)
  • Flushing Meadows–Corona Park – 14 km (8.7 mi)
  • Queens Museum – 14 km (8.7 mi)
  • Coney Island Boardwalk – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Prospect Park, Brooklyn – 18 km (11.2 mi)
  • Governor’s Island – 20 km (12.4 mi)
  • Liberty Science Center, NJ – 22 km (13.7 mi)
  • Red Hook, Brooklyn – 19 km (11.8 mi)