Finding a sledding hill in New York City isn’t the hard part — it’s finding one that’s not shoulder-to-shoulder with other families and still safe for your kids.
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For my family, the best sledding in NYC isn’t in Central Park — it’s in Inwood Hill Park, though getting there from midtown takes a solid 45 minutes on the A train. Pilgrim Hill is the city’s most popular spot, and on a good snow day you’ll wait in line as much as you slide. So before you bundle everyone up, let’s sort through which hills are actually worth the trek for your kids’ ages and your tolerance for crowds. I’ll cover the best options across all five boroughs, with the real tradeoffs you need to know.
Inwood Hill Park is Manhattan’s largest remaining natural forest, with steep slopes and serene Hudson River views — yet most families have never been there.
— Sophie
What sledding in NYC actually feels like
NYC Parks requires at least six inches of snow on the ground before sledding is officially allowed — call 212-639-9675 or check nycgovparks.org for status. On a real snow day, expect hills to get packed fast, especially in Manhattan and popular Brooklyn spots like Prospect Park. Some hills, like the one at 155th Street in Highbridge Park, are so short and fast you need to bail before hitting a fence. Others, like Ewen Park in the Bronx, have hay bales at the bottom to keep you from sliding into the street. Restrooms are rare — only a handful of parks have year-round public bathrooms (Sunset Park’s rec center, for example). And if you’re taking the subway, be ready for a walk: most good hills are a 10–15 minute hike from the nearest station.
Best hills for toddlers and young kids
If you’re dragging a toddler on a saucer sled, you want gentle slopes and no obstacles. Juniper Valley Park in Queens is my top pick for little ones — the hill near the tennis building at 75th Street is short, broad, and free of trees. It gets mobbed on weekends (Middle Village and Maspeth families know the drill), so go early or on a weekday if you can. For Manhattan, the hill at 103rd Street in Riverside Park is easy enough for tots to tweens, and it’s less crowded than Pilgrim Hill. In Brooklyn, Teardrop Park in Battery Park City has gentle slopes perfect for first-timers, though it’s small. After a session, a Central Park horse and carriage ride is a cozy way to warm up — especially if you’re already near the park’s east side.
Best hills for speed seekers and older kids
For kids who want real speed and don’t mind a little danger, Ewen Park in the Bronx is widely considered one of the best in the city — long, steep, and you have to bail at the bottom before hitting the hay bales. That’s the tradeoff: thrilling but not for the faint of steering. In Manhattan, the slope at 105th Street in Riverside Park sends you careening toward the Hudson, blocked only by hay bales and the West Side Highway. I’d only let confident older kids try it. Highbridge Park’s 155th Street entrance is another short, fast drop where you need to step off before the fence — read the instructions from locals before you go. For a safer adrenaline fix, Pilgrim Hill in Central Park (72nd Street and Fifth Avenue) has a steep top that flattens out gently — it’s the most popular for a reason, but expect lines on snow days.
Best hills for avoiding crowds (and still getting a great ride)
If you’re not into waiting, skip Manhattan entirely and head to Inwood Hill Park — enter near 214th Street and Indian Road. The hill sits just above the salt marsh, and on a snow day you’ll have it mostly to yourself. It’s a hike from the subway (A train to 207th Street, then a 10-minute walk), but the Hudson River views are worth it. In Brooklyn, Lincoln Terrace Park between Buffalo and Rochester avenues offers a slope as good as any in the city with a fraction of the crowds. Sunset Park’s hill between 42nd and 43rd Streets gives you a stunning Manhattan skyline view — it’s one of the highest points on Long Island — and it’s rarely packed because it’s a bit out of the way. For Staten Island, Clove Lakes Park is the official snow-day spot and has plenty of space.
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Logistics: getting there, timing, and what it costs
Sledding is free — all NYC parks are free. The real cost is time and patience. Most hills are a 10–20 minute walk from a subway stop; Inwood Hill Park is the furthest. If you’re driving, parking near popular hills like Pilgrim Hill or Prospect Park is nearly impossible on snow days. The best strategy: take the subway, pack a thermos of hot chocolate, and accept that you’ll be cold and wet by the end. Official snow-day locations (where Parks staff sometimes set up) include Juniper Valley Park in Queens, Crotona Park in the Bronx, and Clove Lakes Park on Staten Island — these tend to have better crowd management. For a full-day outing, consider combining sledding with indoor activities; the full NYC guide has ideas for family-friendly winter stops.
- Go early — by 9 a.m. on a snow day, the best hills are already claimed.
- Bring a change of clothes and a plastic bag for wet gear; no one wants a damp car ride home.
- Check NYC Parks’ snow-day page before heading out — some hills close due to construction (Great Hill in Central Park is currently closed).
- If you’re in Manhattan, Riverside Park’s 91st Street hill near Hippo Playground is a solid backup when Pilgrim Hill is too crowded.
What to pack and safety notes
You’ll need a sled — plastic saucers, foam toboggans, or even a cardboard box work. The hills are mostly grass covered in snow, so anything with a smooth bottom slides fine. Helmets aren’t common but I’d recommend one for kids under 8 on steeper hills like Ewen Park or the 105th Street slope. Watch out for hidden obstacles: rocks, ice patches, and stairs (Fort Greene Park warns against sledding down stairs — injuries have happened). Also note that some parks, like Forest Park’s golf course, are technically off-limits for sledding per the Parks Department, though they’re still popular. Stick to official locations to avoid fines or hazards.
Where Families Find Snow-Covered Sledding Hills in New York City
Is sledding allowed in Central Park?
Yeah, it’s allowed — Pilgrim Hill and Cedar Hill are the official spots. Just don’t sled on the grass when it’s not snow-covered, and stay off the Great Hill (closed for construction). Central Park Conservancy’s Pilgrim Hill page has details.
What if there’s only a dusting of snow?
Honestly, don’t bother. Without at least six inches, you’ll just scrape dirt and frustration. Wait for a real storm or head to a hill that gets plowed snow piles — but those aren’t official sledding spots.
Can I bring my dog sledding?
Some parks have dog runs nearby — Carl Schurz Park has two — but sledding hills themselves aren’t dog zones. Keep your pup on a leash away from the runs.
Which borough has the best hills for families?
Queens, honestly. Juniper Valley Park and Astoria Park both have gentle, safe slopes with year-round restrooms nearby. Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is great but more crowded.
Are there any indoor alternatives for a snow day?
If the snow melts by lunch, check out the best magic shows in NYC for families — a warm, dry option.
Closing thought
Sledding in NYC is a rare, fleeting joy — you have to pounce on the right snowstorm and be ready for crowds or a long subway ride. But when you find your hill, the sound of kids laughing and the city skyline in the background makes it all worth it. For us, Inwood Hill Park is the one we keep going back to, even though it’s a trek. That quiet, snowy hill above the salt marsh feels like a secret — and in a city of eight million, that’s a pretty good deal. If you’re planning a bigger winter trip, don’t miss our NYC itinerary for families who love street art.
Sources
Best Sledding Hills in New York City. Mommy Poppins, updated annually.
Where to Go Sledding in NYC. AM New York, 2023.
The Best Roller Coasters in New York City for Sledding. ForumDaily, 2021.
17 Spots to Go Sledding in New York City. 6sqft, 2021.
NYC Parks: Places to Go Sledding. NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
NYC Parks Official Site. For snow-day status: 212-639-9675.
Pilgrim Hill. Central Park Conservancy.
Cedar Hill. Central Park Conservancy.
Riverside Park. Riverside Park Conservancy.
Inwood Hill Park. NYC Parks.
Ewen Park. NYC Parks.
Juniper Valley Park. NYC Parks.
Sunset Park. NYC Parks.
Clove Lakes Park. NYC Parks.
