9 NYC Area Hikes & Trails for Your Family
Parents are submitting their favorite family hikes in NYC and beyond to our interactive map. Check it out to see the kid-friendly hiking trails near you, and leave a review to share your experience with any that you try.
Nature walks are a fun and usually free way to explore NYC with kids. Keeping a few trail games in mind will help pass the time and keep spirits high. Check out family-favorite NYC biking trails if you'd like your adventure on wheels!
Mount Loretto Unique Area & North Mount Loretto State Forest
Joni Monacell: Mt. Loretto Unique Area offers more than 200 acres of forest, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal shoreline on the southern shore of Staten Island. This beautiful area has three hiking trails to explore: the Wetlands Trail, Grassland Trail, and Beach Loop.
Just North of this area is another North Mount Loretto State Forest which has 5 more hiking trails, one of which is paved and wheelchair accessible.
There is parking, the area is accessible via public transportation, and bathrooms are available.
Staten Island Greenbelt
Joni Monacell: This 2,880 acre park in the center of Staten Island boasts 35 miles of hiking paths. They have everything from short loops, good for younger kids, up to a 12 mile hike. Most can be accessed from the park's nature center, where you can get a trail map to plan your hike.
High Rock Park
Joni Monacell: High Park Rock is sometimes referred to as one of the most tranquil places in New York City. There are two hiking trails within the park. Both are good for kids, one is 0.75 and the other is 0.25 miles long.
High Rock Park contains five ponds and various wetlands. There are six walking trails with various vegetation and wildlife along them. There is also a hiking trail up Mt. Moses, a 260-foot hill named for Robert Moses. The 360-degree panoramic view could be one of New York City’s most spectacular.
Silver Lake
Annette Parks: With Silver Lake as its natural centerpiece, you can lounge around the lake or enjoy the sports fields, playgrounds and trails. If you come with the kids, be sure to rent bikes and see the park in its entirety.
Marine Park
Joni Monacell: This is the largest park in Brooklyn and a great place to go on a family hike. Many species of birds, fish, turtles and crabs live in the park's preserved wetlands and grasslands. There's a playground, nature center, and plenty of space for sports and biking.
Forest Park
Joni Monacell: The eastern portion of Forest Park is home to three hiking trails with distances ranging from 1.0 to 2.4 miles, making it a good option for families. In addition to hiking trails, there are a number of bridle paths.
The western portion of Forest Park is a sports center with baseball fields, tennis courts, and even a golf course. They also have a bandshell where they host concerts in the summer.
Accessible via public transportation. Parking available.
Inwood Hill Park
Joni Monacell: Home to forest and salt marsh, this park is said to look like Manhattan before it was developed. There are three trails, two of which trails are paved. There are some great views of the Hudson River, and you might even spot a bald eagle.
Alley Pond Park
Joni Monacell: This park in Queens is home to a number of hiking trails where you can see wetlands, tidal flats, meadows and forests. In addition to hiking trails, the park has a high ropes adventure course, an environmental center, and one of the city's oldest trees (a 350-450 yr old tulip tree that stands 133.8 ft high)!
Kazimiroff Nature Trail
Joni Monacell: This nature trail, accessible on the north end of the Orchard Beach parking lot, honors Dr. Theodore Kazimiroff, a dentist most remembered for his dedication to the fight for the protection of the ecosystems that thrive in the Bronx. The trail runs through 189 acres of Hunter Island where one can see numerous types of trees and the remnants of the Hunter Mansion & garden. The Lagoon and the Twin Islands Salt Marsh can also be seen along the trails and are full of vegetation and wildlife.
Parking available. Accessible via public transportation.
Primary photo: Jamie Taylor on Unsplash
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