Swan in the East Pond at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Gateway National Recreation Area
The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens is one of the few locations in the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area that offers hiking trails and activities not associated with a beach. It is also the prime location in the New York City area to see birds, and it is the only wildlife refuge under the management of the National Park Service. Over 300 species of birds have been spotted at one time or another in the woods, salt marshes, and ponds that make up the refuge. You may also see small mammals, reptiles, and a wide assortment of butterflies.
The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is located on a partially man-made island on the eastern side of Jamaica Bay. The refuge was created in 1951 and was originally operated by the New York City Parks Department. The two fresh water ponds—East and West Pond—were constructed during this time. They started out as small saltwater inlets. The side that lets the water into the inlet was dammed with dirt to keep the saltwater out, dikes were built to regulate the water levels, and after the saltwater was drained, the new ponds eventually filled in with rain water.
Bridges connect the island to the mainland from both the north and south ends. The southern half of the island is heavily developed and not part of Gateway National Recreation Area.
The grounds of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge are open year-round from 6 AM to 9 PM. The parking lots on the north end of the island used for fishing and launching hand-paddled watercraft are open from 5 AM to 11 PM. The Refuge’s Visitor Center is typically open daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 9 AM to 5 PM, and on weekends the rest of the year from 10 AM to 4 PM.
See the following web pages for information on activities at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge:
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Last updated on December 19, 2024
