Photo by Dennis Welsh.
When people think of New York City, the words “nature,” “hiking,” or “outdoor adventure” probably aren’t the first to come to mind. But maybe they should be.
The truth is, NYC is full of opportunities to get outside, from hidden trails and greenways to beachside parks and wooded escapes tucked within the five boroughs. You just have to know where to look.
At the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), we’re on a mission to make outdoor access easier for everyone, whether you’re brand new to hiking, don’t have a car, or simply want to get outside without leaving the city. AMC has been connecting New Yorkers to the outdoors for over 100 years, since the New York-North Jersey Chapter was founded in 1912. Chapter members even helped build the trail network in Harriman State Park, across the river from New York City. Now, as part of our All Out action plan for 2030, we are growing our New York community.
We spoke with New Yorkers Faith Duggan, AMC’s NY-NoJ Communications Chair, and Eileen Yin, Director of New York Growth, about what it really means to get outdoors in the city — and how AMC is making it easier (and more fun) to do so. From entry-level hikes and bike rides to chartered buses and nature walks with new friends, here’s how to connect with the outdoors in NYC.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York. Photo by Dennis Welsh.
Best Parks in New York City for Nature and Outdoor Activities
“There are some really great wooded areas within the five boroughs that are super accessible,” says Eileen Yin. “We want to take you there.” Eileen’s favorite recommendations for getting outdoors in the city include:
- Van Cortlandt Park (Bronx): One of the city’s largest green spaces, this park features miles of wooded trails, including sections of the Old Croton Aqueduct and the John Muir Trail — all just steps from the subway.
- Empire State Trail: The longest multi-use trail in the U.S., this 750-mile route stretches from New York City to Canada. Walk, bike, or run through the city section for a scenic mix of waterfront, greenways, and urban energy.
- Alley Pond Park (Queens): This park is home to NYC’s oldest and tallest tree and features forest trails, freshwater wetlands, and the Alley Pond Environmental Center — plus, an owl or two if you’re lucky.
- Pomonok Bay / Little Bay Park (Queens): Often referred to locally as “Palm Bay,” this peaceful waterfront spot offers quiet shoreline paths and sweeping views of the Throgs Neck Bridge — a favorite for walkers, birders, and cyclists.
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (Queens/Brooklyn): This coastal sanctuary in Gateway National Recreation Area hosts more than 300 species of birds and features trails through salt marsh, dunes, and shoreline habitats — all accessible by public transit.
Central Park, New York City, New York. Photo by Dennis Welsh.
How to Get Outdoors in NYC
“Unlike most people in this club, I don’t describe as a hiker or an outdoorsman. I’m such a city girl,” says Faith Duggan. “My mom was born and raised in New York. My dad was born in New York, raised in London. I’m not getting caught camping, but I think we need to redefine what it means to be acquainted with the outdoors. There are so many things to do in the outdoors that aren’t defined by camping and hiking.”
Here are a few of Faith’s recommendations:
- Cycling in Central Park or the newly-repaved Hudson Yards. (“I’m not doing the Tour de France any anytime soon,” she says, “But it does fill my soul.”
- Water sports, like canoeing, sailing, and kayaking.
- Bouldering at a rock gym in Astoria, Queens with AMC’s young members
- Taking the ferry to Fire Island. Faith braved the elements with other young members of the NY-NoJ chapter this spring. “It was cold and windy,” she says. “But the real thing was about connection.”
- Walking. “I’m a New Yorker, I love to walk,” Faith says. “A city where you can’t walk is not a city I want to live in.”
- Exploring New York’s Famous Beaches.
Faith Duggan.
It’s All About the Community
While suggestions for where to go might get you outside, what keeps us all coming back is outdoor community.
“It’s not just a walk; it’s socializing. It’s getting to know people,” Eileen says. “As an adult, it’s not always easy to find a way to make friends, right? You find a lot of your friends in college, you find a lot of your friends at work. But now we’re all working remotely. So you have to find them through organizations and clubs and common interests.”
Eileen is a prime example — she started out with AMC by signing up for a few hiking trips, but when a friend she met on a hike took her canoeing for the first time on the Hudson, it was love at first stroke. She borrowed gear from her AMC chapter and became an avid paddler. “I dropped everything. I just canoed every weekend,” she says.
“I look back on all my friends who are like, twenty-five plus year friendships and I’m like, Oh, God, they’re all from the AMC,” Eileen says. “So I tell people: just try one thing with the AMC. You’ll enjoy it. It’ll be more fun than you expect.
Eileen Yin in her happy place: a whitewater canoe.
Join an AMC New York City Outing This Summer
Outdoor Stewards Interpretive Naturalist Programs: A fun, experiential naturalist presentation happening every day at Reeves Visitor Center or Kanawauke Nature Museum.
Concrete to Trails: Weekly Saturday bus trips from New York City to stunning natural areas that are typically hard to reach without a vehicle. ($5/members, $25/non-members)
Mindfulness Walks: Restorative walks, nature mindfulness exercises, and journaling experiences in parks throughout New York City. Happening every Sunday (twice a day) in August during Wellness Month.
How to Hike: Happy & Healthy: An urban walk (2-4 miles) that transitions into a hike-like experience as we explore the North Woods of Central Park and learn how to safely hike from a New York DEC Licensed Hiking Guide. Happening every Sunday in August during Wellness Month.
Summer Street Series: Roam car‑free boulevards, explore green spaces, soak in skyline views, and make new friends on a weekly section walk through Manhattan & Brooklyn. Happening every Saturday (twice a day) in August.
Weekend Stay-cations at Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center: Whether you want to hike, paddle, swim, or simply kick back by the lake, come for the day with the Chapter or stay for the whole weekend!
Swipe Right Thursday Nights for 20s & 30s: Relaxed after-work walk along the water with other 20-and-30-somethings who like being outdoors. First Thursday of each month.
Check back frequently for more Activities offered by the NY-NoJ Chapter.
Become an AMC Member
AMC’s cabins and campsites are open to all, and you’ll enjoy your adventures in NJ and NY even more as an AMC member. Your membership is a tax-deductible contribution to AMC’s mission to foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. Member benefits include up to 20% off AMC lodging, 20% off AMC books and maps, and up to 20% off gear and merchandise. Membership also follows you home, unlocking access to thousands of free activities to get outside with people near you.