Spring Activities in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway
Jamaica Bay and Rockaway come alive each spring. The bay embodies change as thawing waters welcome back the menhaden, migrating birds, and other wildlife—as well as New Yorkers from across the city to enjoy unparalleled, awe-inspiring natural beauty. Discover over 10,000 acres of public parklands and 18,000 acres of open water and marshlands, a breathtaking landscape waiting to be explored. Scroll on to learn just a few ways you might enjoy one of the area’s 35 parks.
Hiking
Take a hike on one of the many trails in Jamaica Bay and Rockaway to see the green emerging from winter. Here are a few hiking opportunities listed below.
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge’s trails and parking lot are open daily from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm. The Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Learn more here.
Floyd Bennett Field
A number of trails criss-cross the “North 40” woodland area just off the old runways of NYC’s first municipal airport. A useful guide is here. The park’s Ryan Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Hiking Trails at NYC Parks
NYC Parks oversees trails that span over 300 miles long in total! Pick a trail around Jamaica Bay or Rockaway 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
Prime Striped Bass angling won’t start until April / May, but there is still Winter Flounder, White Perch and many other species to catch. 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!
Shirley Chisholm State Park
Enjoy 10 miles of car-free paths and amazing vistas, with a connection to the Jamaica Bay Greenway. Trails are paved and unpaved.
For a map of bike trails in the park, 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
Spring Cleanups
As green returns to our shores, join us for cleanups across Jamaica Bay and Rockaway. Our monthly volunteer cleanups are returning, to ensure marine debris does not clog vital habitat and public parks. Find out more and sign up here.
Join us in the parks, now that this long and lustrous winter is finally over! For a full list of the events that Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy is hosting this spring, go here.