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AccessibilityHiking
Enjoy New York City’s great outdoors on these guided hikes through our parks. Hiking is a great way to get active and reduce stress while exploring the city. Discover the natural beauty, wildlife, history, and architectural beauty of our parklands with our Urban Park Rangers and other nature exploration groups.
Trail Maps: Where to Go on Your Next Hike
Looking to head out on your own? Check out these hiking trails we recommend.
Hiking Events
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Event
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at West 90th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Birding: Winter Birds
at Rose Avenue and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and other birds that have migrated for the winter.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Wilson Avenue and Weirfield Street (in Irving Square Park)
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers for an exploration of the trees in Irving Square Park! Learn how to identify trees in the winter and gain a new perspective of the trees living in our city.
Free!
Advanced Winter Tree ID
at West 116th Street and Riverside Drive (in Riverside Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Trees have a special place in our environment. Join us for a hike of Riverside Park and take a deeper dive into learning the intricacies of winter tree identification.
Free!
Event
Birding: Owls
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Learn more about the various species of owls found in our parks.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
Monday, January 20, 2025
Ferry Point Park Martin Luther King Jr. Day Coastal Cleanup
at Emerson Ave. & Harding Ave. (in Ferry Point Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks Stewardship as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by helping us protect coastal areas in Ferry Point Park!
Free!
Event
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Adult Hike: High Rock Park
at High Rock Gate (in High Rock Park), Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Come and hike the New Year in High Rock Park!
Free!
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Shore Parkway and Rabbi Block Street (in Calvert Vaux Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at School Road and Bay Street (in Von Briesen Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Von Briesen Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Sunday, January 26, 2025
The Van Cortlandt Super Hike (Vigorous)
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
. Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Van Cortlandt Park on an 8 mile journey through the park’s diverse forest ecosystems. Wear comfortable shoes
Free!
Prospect Park Super Hike
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Explore the hidden paths, waterways, meadows and woods the way that Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux intended for visitors in this 585 acre green gem of Brooklyn.
Free!
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Friday, January 31, 2025
Alley Pond Park Trail Work
at Adventure Course Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Volunteers will contribute to ongoing restoration work and learn the importance of species diversity to ecosystem health, as well as close desire lines in order to help restore the forest and create a healthier ecosystem.
Free!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Birding: Winter Birds
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Winter Watercolor Painting
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Let the tranquility of winter flow in your paintings. The Rangers will provide the art supplies, all you need to bring is your creativity.
Free!
Sunday, February 2, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Pre-Valentines Day "Bee Mine" Exploration and Craft
at Lower Parking Lot (in Greenbelt Recreation Center), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning more about bees while creating a buzz with a craft for a loved one.
Free!
Sunday, February 9, 2025
Winter Waterfowl Stamp Art
at 164th Street and Oak Avenue (in Kissena Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
oin the Rangers to learn more about the history of bird conservation in the United States and design your very own duck stamp
Free!
Black History Month: Langston Hughes and Love Potion Brews
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Craft your own color-changing love potion while enjoying the jazz poetry of Langston Hughes, and learn about his impact on the Harlem Renaissance.
Free!
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Nature Exploration Hike
at Parking Lot - Winchester Boulevard and Union Turnpike (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest.
Free!
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
On Nature Exploration hikes, we will discover the plants and animals that inhabit the urban forest.
Free!
Monday, February 17, 2025
Mid-Winter Family Fun Hike
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Start your family's Mid-Winter Recess off with a walk through VCP with Van Cortlandt Park Alliance!
Free!
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Kids Week: Shelter Building
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will teach you different methods of shelter building using natural materials.
Free!
Kids
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Winter Tree ID
at Elmhurst Park Grand Avenue Entrance (in Elmhurst Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk of Elmhurst Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the winter season.
Free!
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Birding: Owls
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Learn more about the various species of owls found in our parks.
Free!
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Birding: All About Owls
at Martling Avenue and Slosson Avenue (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Learn more about the various species of owls and their diets.
Free!
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