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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, April 24, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Friday, April 25, 2025
City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Alley Pond Park
at Adventure Course Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way.
Free!
Event
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Alley Pond Park City Nature Challenge Guided Hike
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Natural Areas Conservancy on a guided walk through Alley Pond Park's Oakland Lake and Tulip Trail
Free!
Event
City Nature Challenge: Pelham Bay Park Bio Blitz
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
For the City Nature Challenge, join NYC Parks staff on a hike around Pelham Bay Park to explore the diversity of spring wildflowers and other species.
Free!
Event
City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Alley Pond Park
at Adventure Course Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way.
Free!
Sunday, April 27, 2025
City Nature Challenge: Spring Ephemerals Walk at Forest Park
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Volunteers will learn how to identify these plants and learn how to make iNaturalist observations of any other signs of nature you find along the way.
Free!
Monday, April 28, 2025
City Nature Challenge Amphibian Walk at Alley Pond Park
at Upper Alley Parking Lot (in Alley Pond Park), Queens 
6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
For the last day of City Nature Challenge 2025, join NYC Parks Stewardship for an evening hike around Alley Pond Park in search of frogs and salamanders.
Free!
Event
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
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!
Native Americans: Pathways to the Past, Present and Future
at Northern Boulevard and 245th Street
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Take a short stroll with the Urban Park Rangers as we learn about Native American contributions to our modern-day society.
Free!
Event
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Greenbelt Hike (Vigorous)
at Forest Hill Road and Alaska Place (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of the Greenbelt on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Nature Sketching
at Arthur Kill Road and Brookfield Avenue (in Brookfield Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Hike Brookfield Park as an inspiration while learning drawing techniques to create a seasonal scenic sketch drawing.
Free!
Thursday, May 15, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Doggie Day Hike
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Take a stroll through the forest with your four legged friend on this dog-friendly hike. Dogs are required to be on-leash.
Free!
Historic New York: Ye Olde Prospect Park
at Grand Army Plaza Arch (in Grand Army Plaza), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers and reminisce on the history of the Vale of Cashmere, one of the most mysterious and intriguing parts of the park. Bring a camera and create your own Vale
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. Open access from 1pm to 2:45pm. Registration is not required.
Free!
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Trail Work Thursdays
at VCPA Garden & Compost Site (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Be a part of the community effort to maintain the trails in Van Cortlandt Park.
Free!
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Spring Blooming Hike
at Parking Lot - Winchester Boulevard and Union Turnpike (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Spring has sprung. Experience the beauty of spring with the Urban Park Rangers as you explore the vibrant plants and flowers that emerge during this season.
Free!
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Nature Exploration: The Northwest Woods
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a nature walk into the Northwest Woods of Van Cortlandt Park to learn about the ecology and wildlife that inhabits this magical woodlands habitat.
Free!
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Cross Country Course Volunteer Days
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!
National Trails Day Hike
at Chapin Avenue and Salzburg Court (in Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the sights and sounds of this tranquil woodland.
Free!
National Trails Day Hike
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Urban Park Rangers. Take a walk along the shores of Jamaica Bay on the scenic Salt Marsh Trail at Marine Park.
Free!
National Trails Day: John Muir Trail
at Entrance - 242nd Street and Van Cortlandt Park East (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a guided 4-mile out-and-back hike along the only trail in Van Cortlandt Park to traverse the park from east to west.
Free!
National Trails Day Hike
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center, Queens
1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Urban Park Rangers. Join us as we hike and explore one of Alley Pond’s lesser-known trails tucked away in Queens and why this day is celebrated.
Free!
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