If your kids can handle a 2.6-mile loop on smooth pavement with bay views and zero elevation gain, the Fountain Ring Drive Loop in Shirley Chisholm State Park is the best all-around trail in Gateway National Recreation Area for families — but that’s only true if you’re based in Brooklyn or Manhattan. The real tradeoff is that this park sprawls across three separate units in two states, so the right pick depends more on where you’re starting than what the trail itself offers.
Family-Friendly
Paved Trails
Free Entry
Stroller-Friendly
Birdwatching
For families with kids under 10 who want a low-stakes nature outing — no major elevation, no all-day commitment, plenty of wildlife — Gateway delivers. The paved paths at Shirley Chisholm and Great Kills Park are smooth enough for strollers and training-wheel bikes. The Sandy Hook unit adds beaches and a historic lighthouse that turn the drive into a real destination. But you’ll be picking one unit per visit, and summer weekends mean paying for parking and arriving before the lots fill. Komoot’s family-friendly hiking guide lists 15 trails, and I’ve narrowed it to the five that actually work for young kids.
Over 300 bird species have been observed at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge alone — more than in many designated national parks — making it one of the best urban birdwatching spots in the country.
— Sophie
What Hiking Here Actually Feels Like With a Kid in Tow
The ground is almost entirely flat. That’s the main thing. Elevation changes across all three units rarely top 100 feet, and most trails are paved or hard-packed gravel. My kids walked the entire Fountain Ring Drive without a single complaint about tired legs — that almost never happens.
The catch is sandy sections. Trails like the one to Crookes Point at Great Kills Park cut through dunes and loose sand that bog down strollers and little feet. You’ll also find tick warnings in wooded areas — the komoot community notes that the forest paths near Crookes Point are beautiful but “sandy in places” with tick risk. Insect repellent isn’t optional here.
Summer weekends bring crowds — especially at Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park, where parking lots fill by mid-morning. Spring and fall are the sweet spot: mild weather, fewer people, and peak bird migration at Jamaica Bay. Winter is quiet but some facilities close, and wind off the water can be brutal.
Which Unit Should Your Family Pick?
This is the real question, because you can’t do all three in a day — they’re spread across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey. I’ll break each unit’s best kid-friendly trail and who it works for.
Jamaica Bay Unit: Fountain Ring Drive Loop (Shirley Chisholm State Park)
2.6 miles, paved, flat, 1 hour — this is the trail I’d pick if I lived in Brooklyn or Manhattan. It runs along the perimeter of a 407-acre park with views across Jamaica Bay to Rockaway Beach. The pavement is smooth enough for a stroller or a 5-year-old on a balance bike. On clear days you can see Manhattan and Queens in the distance. The park opened in 2019 and still feels new — clean bathrooms, marked trailheads, and a pier at Fountain Ring that’s a good place to stop for water views. The NPS site confirms it’s one of the most accessible family loops in the entire recreation area.
Jamaica Bay Unit: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Trails
If your kid is into birds, skip the loop and head straight here. The refuge is the only NPS-managed wildlife refuge in the system, and the trails wind through salt marshes and ponds where herons, egrets, and ospreys are almost guaranteed. The paths are flat and well-maintained but not all paved — some sections are gravel or dirt. The visitor center is open Friday through Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and ranger-led programs run seasonally. Binoculars make a big difference here; my kids spotted a great blue heron within five minutes of arriving.
Sandy Hook Unit: Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path
8.9 miles one way, paved — this is too long for most kids to walk end-to-end, but you don’t have to. The path runs along the coast past beaches, historic batteries, and the Sandy Hook Lighthouse (the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States, built in 1764). Pick a 2-mile section near the lighthouse or park at Fort Hancock where parking is always free. Biking is the better play here — the paved path is wide and flat, and bike rentals in the area make it easy to cover more ground without wearing kids out. The tradeoff: Sandy Hook is in New Jersey, harder to reach by public transit, and summer beach parking costs $20 per vehicle.
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Staten Island Unit: Great Kills Park Multi-Use Path
2 miles, paved, 49 minutes — this is the shortest dedicated path on Staten Island and gives you bay views toward Crookes Point. The surface is well-maintained and flat, making it another stroller-friendly option. Combine it with a walk out to Crookes Point (the sandy peninsula I mentioned earlier) for a longer outing — just watch for ticks in the wooded sections. Great Kills also has a designated swimming area with lifeguards in summer, so you can pair the hike with beach time. Komoot rates this path 5.0 from its single review, and the praise focuses on how easy it is for all ages.
Staten Island Unit: Fort Wadsworth Walking Tour
1.5 miles, 38 minutes, 100 ft elevation gain — this is less a hike and more a history walk with a view. The path circles a former military fort built by the British, with information boards explaining how it defended New York Harbor. The elevation is barely noticeable, and the payoff is a direct view of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and the harbor. The visitor center is open Friday through Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For kids who like forts and cannons, this beats a regular trail every time.
Getting There, Parking, and When to Go
Each unit has its own access quirks. Jamaica Bay is the easiest by public transit — take the Q35 bus from Brooklyn to the refuge or the subway to near Shirley Chisholm State Park. Staten Island works via the Staten Island Railway to Bay Terrace station, then a short bus ride. Sandy Hook is the hardest without a car: a seasonal ferry runs from Manhattan, but most families drive.
There is no entrance fee for Gateway National Recreation Area itself. Parking fees only apply at the beach lots — Jacob Riis Park in Queens and Sandy Hook in New Jersey — from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The 2026 daily rate is $20 per vehicle, cashless only. Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook always has free parking. Shirley Chisholm State Park and Great Kills Park also have free lots, but they fill early on summer weekends. Reserve your daily parking permit in advance via Recreation.gov for Jacob Riis or Sandy Hook to avoid showing up to a full lot.
Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the best hiking seasons — temperatures in the 60s and 70s, fewer crowds, and peak bird migration. Summer works if you start by 8 a.m. and pair it with beach time. Winter is quiet but expect wind chill on the coast and reduced visitor center hours.
What to Pack (and What to Skip)
The flat, short trails make heavy hiking gear unnecessary, but a few things matter more here than on a typical wooded hike:
- Insect repellent with DEET — marshy areas at Jamaica Bay and wooded sections at Crookes Point have ticks and mosquitoes even in cooler months.
- Binoculars — the birdwatching at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is the main event; without binoculars you’ll miss most of it.
- Sunscreen and a hat — coastal trails have almost no shade, especially at Sandy Hook and Jacob Riis Park.
- Water bottles — limited food services in the park, especially off-peak; concession stands at popular beaches only run in summer.
- Layers — spring and fall can swing 20 degrees between morning and afternoon, and wind off the bay cuts through jackets quickly.
Leave the hiking boots at home. Paved and gravel paths mean sneakers or sturdy sandals work fine. A stroller with decent wheels handles the paved loops easily — the Fountain Ring Drive and Great Kills paths are both smooth. The sandy trails near Crookes Point are the exception; if you’re going there, a carrier backpack works better than wheels.
Gateway National Recreation Area, Answered
Can we do more than one unit in a day?
Not realistically. The units are 30–60 minutes apart by car, and each one deserves at least half a day to feel worthwhile. Pick one per visit — trying to hit Jamaica Bay and Sandy Hook in the same day will leave everyone tired and disappointed.
Are the trails actually stroller-friendly?
Yes, for the paved ones. Fountain Ring Drive, Great Kills Multi-Use Path, and the Sandy Hook Multi-Use Path are all smooth and flat. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge trails have some gravel sections — a jogging stroller handles it fine, but a city stroller with small wheels will struggle.
Is there food nearby, or do we pack lunch?
Pack lunch. During summer, concession stands at Jacob Riis Park and Sandy Hook’s beach areas sell snacks and drinks, but off-peak there’s almost nothing inside the park. Shirley Chisholm State Park has no food vendors. The surrounding neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island have plenty of options — grab sandwiches before you head in.
Which unit has the most shade?
None of them have much. The coastal trails are exposed — you’re walking along marshes, beaches, or open meadows. Shirley Chisholm State Park has some scattered tree cover, but don’t count on natural shade for a picnic. Bring a sun umbrella or plan to eat at a shaded pavilion if you find one.
Can we bring the dog?
Yes, on a leash no longer than six feet. Dogs are allowed on most trails but restricted on designated swimming beaches and in sensitive wildlife areas during nesting seasons. The NPS site has current pet regulations — check before you go, especially in spring when birds are nesting at Jamaica Bay.
One Last Thing Before You Head Out
Gateway National Recreation Area isn’t a single destination you conquer — it’s a collection of separate outings, each with its own personality and access math. The Fountain Ring Drive Loop wins for convenience and bang-for-buck if you’re in Brooklyn or Manhattan. Sandy Hook wins for a full-day adventure with beaches, history, and enough paved path to tire out even the most energetic kid. The Staten Island unit is the dark horse — quieter, shorter, and easier to pair with a beach afternoon. Pick the one that fits your morning, go early, and don’t try to see it all. That’s the approach that makes day trips from NYC actually work with kids.
Sources
Family-Friendly Hikes in Gateway National Recreation Area. Komoot, 2026.
Easy Hikes in Gateway National Recreation Area. Komoot, 2026.
Gateway National Recreation Area Hiking Trails. NPPlan, 2026.
Gateway National Recreation Area: A Complete Guide. Roam States, 2026.
Gateway National Recreation Area — Official NPS Site. National Park Service.
Recreation.gov — Campground and Permit Reservations. Recreation.gov.
