Translate
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, January 22, 2026
Adult Hike - Old Mill Rd to Field of Dreams
at St. Andrew's Church, Staten Island 
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join us for a hike on one of the most historical trails.
Free!
Event
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Beach 54th and Almeda Avenue (in Rockaway Community Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on an exclusive tour of the closed Edgemere Landfill to find bird species in this grassland ecosystem. Registration required. Registration begins on Jan 12.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a winter discovery hike. Learn about the flora and fauna that call Canarsie Park home during its coldest months!
Free!
Sunday, January 25, 2026
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!
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Nature's Workshop: Winter Landscape Watercolor Painting
at Crotona Nature Center (in Crotona Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Get inspired by the changing seasons and let the colors of winters flow in your artwork. The Urban Park Rangers will provide the supplies, all you need to bring is your creativity.
Free!
Staten Island North Shore Parks Super Hike
at Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a quick-paced hike up varying terrains and trails through Snug Harbor, Allison Pond, Goodhue and Jones Woods Park. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Free!
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Historic New York: Military History of Central Park
at Entrance - East 106th Street and Fifth Avenue (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a hike through some historic spots in the North Woods including getting to explore inside the Block House! Discuss the Revolutionary War and others.
Free!
Saturday, February 7, 2026
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Birding programs are an all-inclusive safe space and appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome.
Free!
Living With White Tailed Deer
at Entrance - Staten Island Boulevard and Ocean Terrace (in Deere Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Oh deer! Learn more about this majestic species and explore the park in search of signs and traces of its presence.
Free!
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, February 8, 2026
Hidden Gems of Staten Island: La Tourette Park
at Old Mill Road and Richmond Hill Road (in LaTourette Park & Golf Course), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Urban Park Ranger hiking guides will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Join the Urban Park Rangers as we hike through the woods behind the Church of St Andrew.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at American Veterans Memorial Pier, Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Come see the birds and boats of Gravesend Bay with the Urban Park Rangers. Learn about the wildlife that visit the waters of New York every winter and the ships that ply the waters.
Free!
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Monthly Nature Exploration Hike Series
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a monthly hike exploring Inwood Hill Park. This month's hike will be a geology walk.
Free!
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Valentines Day Love in Nature Hike
at Blue Heron Nature Center (in Blue Heron Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning about the courtship habits of our local wildlife while taking a scenic stroll on the nature trails of Blue Heron Park.
Free!
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Love in Nature Hike
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in learning about the courtship and parenting habits of our local wildlife while taking a scenic stroll on the nature trails of Central Park
Free!
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Nature Walk and Quill Writing for Kids & Families at Conference House Park
at H.H. Biddle House (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join NYC Parks, the Urban Park Rangers, and the Friends of the Biddle House for a nature walk along our trails and beach, followed by a quill writing art activity!
Free!
Kids
Friday, February 20, 2026
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
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Advanced Winter Tree ID
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Trees have a special place in our environment. Join us for a hike of Forest Park and take a deeper dive into learning the intricacies of winter tree identification.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Winter is a great time to learn more about our migratory duck species! Join the Rangers on a walk around Orchard Beach Boardwalk to explore the unusual world of winter waterfowl!
Free!
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Historic New York: Weeksville
at South Pacific Playground, Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Learn about the African American heritage of the Weeksville, one of the largest free Black communities in pre-Civil War America.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Entrance - West 100 Street and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Become a “Nature Scene Investigator” and learn the animal-spotting tricks from the Urban Park Rangers.
Free!
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Women's History Month: Cass Gallagher
at Broadway and Mosholu Avenue (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!
Nature's Workshop: Natural Cordage Crafting
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers in using natural materials for crafts. Learn how to turn plant fibers into strong, flexible cordage. Add beads for a fun, unique necklace or bracelet!
Free!
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Signs of Spring Hike
at Entrance - Beach 44th Street and Boardwalk (in Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk in the Arverne East Nature Preserve while looking for signs of blossoming flowers and birds.
Free!
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.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!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Vermont Place Parking Lot (in Highland Park), Queens
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!
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Discovery Hike: Vernal Pools
at 69th Avenue and 230th Street (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.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!
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D83201714.-%3B)