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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
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: Winter Waterfowl
at Parking Lot (in Manhattan Beach Park), Brooklyn 
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
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!
Event
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!
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Deere Park Hike (Vigorous)
at Entrance - Staten Island Boulevard and Ocean Terrace (in Deere Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Deere Park on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Central Park Highlights Hike
at Entrance - West 77th Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Central Park, as they point out the various attributes that make the park special.
Free!
Women's History Month: Anne Hutchinson
at Pelham and Split Rock Golf Course, Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike and learn about the life and complex legacy of the 17th century religious reformer, movement leader, and colonialist, Anne Hutchinson.
Free!
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Nature Exploration: Willow Lake
at Mauro Playground (in Flushing Meadows Corona Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through the Pat Dolan trail and find out what plants and animals call his Forever Wild site home.
Free!
Women's History Month: Historic Women of Central Park
at Entrance - East 60th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers lead you through Central Park to sites honoring historic women figures who acted to increase our liberty, safety, and prosperity.
Free!
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Historic New York: Prospect Park
at Audubon Center at the Boathouse (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike around one of New York’s greatest parks. Learn about the park's creation and the people who made it possible.
Free!
Women's History Month: Cass Gallagher
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate Women's History Month with the Urban Park Rangers. Learn how to see through the eyes of a naturalist on the Cass Gallagher Trail at Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Historic New York: Mount Morris Fire Watchtower
at Mount Morris Fire Watchtower (in Marcus Garvey Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers discuss the significance and history of this recently restored structure.
Free!
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park)
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as we explore the vernal pools of Alley Pond Park. Vernal pools are seasonal wetlands that are home to many distinct plants and animals.
Free!
Kids
Nature Exploration: Seton Falls Park
at Entrance - East 233rd Street and Baychester Avenue (in Seton Falls Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike through a park full of natural wonders and is often referred as the “Grand Canyon” of the Bronx!
Free!
Sunday, March 23, 2025
It's A Horse of Course Hike and Greet
at Roy Wilkins Park - Entrance (in Roy Wilkins Recreation Center), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers along with the Parks Enforcement Patrol Mounted Unit to learn about the Mounted Unit’s role in the agency and keeping our parks safe.
Free!
Signs of Spring Hike
at Entrance - East 106th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in appreciating the early flowers of spring! Learn about some of the flowers as well as the history of this little gem of a garden in the famous Central Park
Free!
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Rise and Shine Walk
at Cedar Grove Beach (in Great Kills Park), Staten Island
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for an early summer morning nature exploration of Cedar Grove Beach.
Free!
Nature Exploration: Captain Tilly Park
at Chapin Parkway and 85th Avenue (in Captain Tilly Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of birds, plants and other living species within Captain Tilly Park.
Free!
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Visitor Center - Satterlee Street and Hylan Boulevard (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Nature's Workshop: Recycled Plantable Paper Making
at Greene Ave & Tompkins Ave (in Herbert Von King Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Welcome springtime with the Urban Park Rangers by making recycled paper, embedded with native seeds.
Free!
Early Spring Tree ID Hike
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Join us for a hike of Crotona Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
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