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
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island 
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Central Park Highlights Hike
at West 72nd and Central Park West (in Central Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on a walk to enjoy the most iconic attractions of Central Park, including Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Field, Bow Bridge, The Ramble and Belvedere Castle
Free!
Event
Thursday, December 4, 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, December 6, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Brookville Boulevard and 144 Avenue (in Brookville Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Our Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best viewing spots in New York City to see winter waterfowl. Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome
Free!
Forest Park Super Hike
at The Overlook (in Forest Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on this lengthy hike of Forest Park. Dress warmly, put on your hiking shoes, and head to the park.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Discover which waterfowl have returned for the winter season.
Free!
Gather Around the Campfire
at West 218th Street and Indian Road (in Inwood Hill Park), Manhattan
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Bundle up and join the Rangers ‘round the campfire! Start the evening with a twilight walk around the marsh before settling in for stories of all kinds, new and old.
Free!
Sunday, December 7, 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!
Conference House Tours
at Conference House Museum (in Conference House Park), Staten Island
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tours are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 - 4 pm until December 13th.
Nature Exploration Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of living nature found within Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
Thursday, December 11, 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, December 13, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - Baisley Blvd. & 157th Street (in Baisley Pond Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Discover which waterfowl have returned for the winter season.
Free!
Hidden Gems of Queens: Udall's Cove
at Aurora Pond (in Udall's Park Preserve), Queens
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Explore Udall's Park Preserve, one of the boroughs lesser-known greenspaces. Learn more about the history and natural landscape of this hidden gem.
Free!
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Christmas Bird Count
at Icahn Stadium (in Randall's Island Park), Manhattan
9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
The 126th annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count—the nation’s longest-running Community-Science bird project—will soon be underway nationwide, and in all five boroughs of New York City.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Entrance - 215th Place and 33rd Road (in Crocheron Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join us for awintery tour of a certified arboretum and learn how to identify different trees after their leaves have dropped for the season.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Rochester Avenue and President Street (in Lincoln Terrace / Arthur S. Somers Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a winter walk around Lincoln Terrace/Arthur S. Somers Park to learn how to identify trees even after their leaves have fallen.
Free!
Thursday, December 18, 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, December 20, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Oakland Lake (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Discover which waterfowl have returned for the winter season.
Free!
It's A Horse of Course Hike and Greet
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
12:00 p.m.–1:00 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!
Sunset Hike
at Nevada Avenue Parking Lot (in High Rock Park), Staten Island
3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers as the air chills and the critters come out while the sun sets over High Rock Park.
Free!
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Birding: Winter Waterfowl - Solstice Edition
at 43rd Street and 1st Avenue (in Bush Terminal Park), Brooklyn
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers on winter solstice to peep those rare winter birds! Fluff up your feathers and learn all about how to identify winter waterfowl.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Entrance - East 90th Street and Fifth Avenue (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!
Winter Solstice Evergreen Tree ID Hike
at Myrtle Avenue and Park Lane South (in Forest Park), Queens
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Leave the tinsel at home and lace up your boots and stockings for this fun tour of the trees that never quit photosynthesizing, even when the days are at their shortest!
Free!
Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling
at Van Cortlandt Nature Center (in Van Cortlandt Park), Bronx
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Learn the essentials of starting and maintaining a campfire and afterwards enjoy s’mores around the fire to celebrate the end of the celestial year
Free!
Winter Solstice Campfire and Storytelling
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year, before the light returns. Join the Urban Park Rangers for an evening of storytelling to help pass the cold winter night.
Free!
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Birding: Winter Birds
at Forest Avenue and Silver Lake Park Road (in Silver Lake Park), Staten Island
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the trails identifying various woodland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free!
Historic New York: Hunter Island
at Section 2 Orchard Beach (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Join the Rangers on a walk on Hunter Island and learn about its unique history.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
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 winter walk around Inwood Hill Park to learn how to identify trees even after their leaves have fallen.
Free!
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Kids Week: Sensory Perception Hike for Kids
at Entrance - East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue (in Canarsie Park), Brooklyn
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a walk through Canarsie Park using your senses of touch, smell, sight and hearing to explore the natural world.
Free!
Kids
Thursday, January 1, 2026
New Year's Day Hike
at 210th St Playground on 73rd Ave (in Cunningham Park), Queens
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Lets hike the beautiful mountain biking trails of Cunningham Park.
Free!
New Year's Day Super Hike
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Start the New Year off on the right foot (and the left foot too) as you explore Pelham Bay Park on a 10-mile super hike.
Free!
New Year's Day Hike
at Parking Lot (in Clove Lakes Park), Staten Island
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
If your New Year's resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike. Start the new year off right on this healthy and scenic hike of Clove Lakes Park.
Free!
New Year's Day Super Hike
at Parkside Avenue and South Lake Drive (in Prospect Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
If your New Year’s resolution is to get healthy, join the Urban Park Rangers on a lengthy hike to start the year off right.
Free!
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Alley Giant Hike (Vigorous)
at Alley Pond Adventure Course (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
This hike will take you to the oldest living organism in New York, the Alley Giant. Comfortable walking footwear highly recommended.
Free!
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Greenbelt Hike
at Greenbelt Nature Center (in Blood Root Valley), 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!
Pelham Bay Park South Hike
at Pelham Bay Nature Center (in Pelham Bay Park), Bronx
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Pelham Bay Park on a lengthy journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems.
Free!
Winter Tree ID
at Driggs Avenue and Lorimer Street (in McCarren Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us for a walk of McCarren Park in search of different tree species and learn some ways to identify these trees during the changing season.
Free!
Birding: Winter Waterfowl
at Springfield Blvd and 146th Avenue Entrance (in Springfield Park), Queens
2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Birding programs are appropriate for all skill levels and beginners are welcome. Discover which waterfowl have returned for the winter season.
Free!
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Winter Tree ID
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 winter walk around Inwood Hill Park to learn how to identify trees even after their leaves have fallen.
Free!
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Birding: Winter Birds
at Salt Marsh Nature Center (in Marine Park), Brooklyn
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Join us on this Ranger led walk along the park identifying various marshland birds and winter waterfowl.
Free!
Outdoor Skills: Animal Tracking
at Alley Pond Park Environmental Center (in Alley Pond Park), Queens
12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
Join this Urban Park Ranger led walk as we look for evidence of wildlife in the park.
Free!
Nature Exploration Hike
at Margaret Corbin Circle (in Fort Tryon Park), Manhattan
1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Rangers will introduce you to the many species of living nature found within Fort Tryon Park.
Free!
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
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!
%7Cutmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B%2B__utmv%3D36258403.-%3B)