Fall Activities in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway
As the leaves start to change color and fall, it's the perfect time to get outside and experience the natural beauty of Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway Peninsula. Discover over 10,000 acres of public parklands and 18,000 acres of open water and marshlands, a breathtaking landscape waiting to be explored. Whether you're into hiking, biking, birdwatching, or stargazing, there are countless ways to enjoy the Fall season outdoors. Scroll down to learn how you can make the most of Fall in the great outdoors!
Hiking
Take a hike on one of the many trails in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway to see the Fall colors. Here are a few hiking opportunities listed below.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Hike along the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which contains 12,600 acres of diverse habitats, including open waters, salt marshes, freshwater and brackish ponds, upland fields and woodlands, as well as bays and islands. The Refuge’s trails and parking lot are open daily from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm. The Visitor Center is open Friday to Monday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Learn more here.
Hiking Trails at NYC Parks
NYC Parks oversees trails that span over 300 miles long in total! They have trails listed for all of the 5 boroughs in New York City, including ones in the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway area. Pick a trail based on preferred difficulty, distance, or scenery or join a group hike with a guide. Here is the full list.
Bird Watching
There are many opportunities to go bird watching! Here are some listed below.
NYC Bird Alliance
Check out NYC Bird Alliance’s bird watching educational programs, outings, and events across the five boroughs here.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Examine birds at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge! The park is one of the largest bird habitats in the northeastern United States and is a great place to observe the seasonal bird migration as well as resident species.
Fishing
Go fishing along Jamaica Bay and Rockaway!
Broad Channel American Park + Canarsie Pier
Fish for striped bass, bluefish, or sea robin. If you go fishing, make sure you have a fishing license. For all fishing regulations, go here.
Bike Riding
Here are two opportunities to go biking outdoors!
Bike Library at Shirley Chisholm State Park
Enjoy the free bike loan program to explore the park for up to 2 hours! Register on-site on the half hour, from 10:30am - 3:30pm, Thursdays - Sundays (weather permitting). The bike loans are from May 2 to October 27.
For more information, go here.
The Jamaica Bay Greenway
Bike along a planned 28-mile network of pedestrian and bicycle paths connecting communities along the Jamaica Bay waterfront to more than 10,000 acres of city, state and federal parkland.
Image credit: @bkbybike
Cleanups
As the leaves start to fall during Autumn, join us for shoreline cleanups across Jamaica Bay and Rockaway.
November Cleansweeps
Participate in a series of cleanups to remove marine debris from our beautiful shorelines throughout the month of November. Find out more and sign up here.
Stargazing
Want to explore the night skies? Go stargazing!
Amateur Astronomers Association
This organization hosts stargazing sessions throughout New York City, including at Floyd Bennett Field. Find out more here.
Image Source: Amateur Astronomers Association
The Summer is not the only time to explore the outdoors. We hope you explore the opportunities above to make the most of this Fall season at Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. For a full list of the events that Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is hosting in October and November, go here.