Fort Tilden Beach

NOT A SINGLE SOLDIER 💣 What a sham! When I go to a beach called FORT TILDEN I’m kind of expecting to see some ACTION. Not here I guess 🤷‍♂️. Even a single soldier would have given me a little bit of the fort experience but this place is dry of any semblance of military. It’s mind boggling! I sat in sand, disappointed, and read my book. At least the ocean was pretty. I thinking going forward they need to make sure that people that make it all the way out to the beachhead know that this is not an active military base. thanks 🎽

I like going to Ft. Tilden Beach. Very tranquil and less crowded as the Rockaways or Coney Island. I can come here and relax reguardless of the weather. PSA: Note on the far eastern part of the beach during warm weather you will see nudity on the beach.

Huge parking lot, expect lots of people during high season and prepare to walk. It was a long but lovely walk to beach where we could swim freely without the crowds. the walk was with lots of wildflowers and beautiful views of nature.

as an absolute water-bug, I hate being told to get out of the water at 6pm. but there are no rules like that on this beach! also no lifeguards = less children, so it's a bit quieter (still, be careful if you're swimming, rip tides are no joke). It's also a much more queer-friendly environment which is awesome. the type of people who come here tend to be artsy chillers. chilllll!!!! also feels more ~naturey~ than other city beaches. i used to be a beach 86-only girly but i am converted!!! all of these characteristics are what make this beach some kind of utopia for me 💜

Summertime in the City is the accessibility to the nearest getaway spot for pure relaxation and enjoyment. Though, not marked “safe” swimming into the surf, one should take precautionary steps to ensure safety at all levels. There is a drop-off point along the edge of the waterline that immediately creates an undertow—which is what makes the surf powerful enough to pull anyone into the tidal basin and underwater with the outgoing current or cross-current tow. Every year it becomes a haven for people of all ages to frolic on the beach, to play on the sand, sunbathe, and maybe swim. Though it’s timing that makes a difference when the water is its safest to splash around in—especially when the tide is at its very lowest point one can find that there’s a submerged sandbar around 25-30 meters offshore. Many love swimming out and walking around on it (whenever it’s low enough). But at all other times it’s hidden beneath the waters undetected. Insofar as beach goers here have for fishing, it’s always lovely, as long as the weather holds between windshield, the sun, the slow moving clouds, and intermittent rain. Once the weather temperatures cool down with the seasonal change it gets cooler sooner. But year round, there are miles and miles more sandy beaches to explore up and down the length of Long Island than just around Breezy Point. That is if transportation from going from one end of the beaches to the other is never an issue getting there back and forth. But generally it’s always really nice. And relaxing. Truly.

Very nice and quiet place if you want to be alone and forget about everything and relax

Best beach for a relaxing day of sun bathing. The breeze is soooooo soothing and the sound of those waves....heavenly! A warning that the water is quite choppy and those waves will slap you...the water also has lots of algae pieces. Tide comes in early.

Hi, I moved recently to nyc and this beach is amazing. You feel like in nature. And less crazy than other beaches in the city. It’s a “clothing optional section” but this is not true. The police is around special during weekend and you can get a ticket for $180. We should organize and make this legal and have a clothing optional beach in the city.

I grew up on Long Island, so my idea of a beach runs along the lines of Fire Island, Gilgo Beach and other points east. Living in the City made traveling out to the island for a day at the beach more like work. A friend brought me to Riis Park and while I was initially grossed out by the people, over time I got use to it. About 5 summers ago, I rode my bike down instead of driving and soon discovered Ft Tilden. This is the only beach I will go to now in the Rockaways. It tends to attract a younger crowd. Generally everyone minds their own business and you never have to worry about some asshole showing up with a boom box. Of course, don't be surprised if some hipster shows up with his girlfriend and after a couple of PBR's starts playing his ukulele. It's a natural beach, so don't expect the beach to be groomed. Just clean up after yourself. Yeah, you might see some ugly boobs, get over it.

I'm a yessir on that going to the chapel mints to be like with a butterflies came out at they end before say I do's

BOTTOM LINE: crowded alternative adjacent to Jacob Riis Park TIP/S: go early, exit early ...WHO: party of 1 WHY: curiosity WHAT: (Deets) I followed the crowd across the ball field to this beach. Compared to other beaches, there is less space to spread out because much of the land is roped off for nature preserve. Family friendly but folks were too close to one another IMO. I will say though, that the water seemed less littered with plastic and random waste, and I didn't have to tread through rocks and sharp shells to go in waist deep. That was a welcome surprise. WHEN: 7/12/20 WHERE: beach HOW: bike/ public transportation Q35 BATHROOM: 2 options, just off the water are port o johns. In the park area closer to the stables are separate gender restrooms. I used neither. WIFI: beats me DRESS CODE: as you wish SERVICE: n/a

Beach-goers are not allowed to park, or swim/bathe/wade at Fort Tilden. Dogs are not allowed on the beach in the Spring and Summer. Dogs are never allowed off-leash here, or anywhere else in Gateway National Recreation Area. Please, see my 2016 review below for all of the details! :) There is a nice bathroom with water fountains at Fort Tilden, but it closes around 5 pm (or sometimes earlier). There is no parking without a permit, unless you are there for a sports league, the community garden, theater, fishing (permit required), or some other official business. Where you can swim: https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/beaches.htm Safety: https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/safety.htm Dogs: https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/pets.htm Why you cannot let your dog off-leash, or on the beatch: https://www.nps.gov/gate/learn/news/pet-restrictions-during-plover-season.htm Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.nps.gov/gate/frequently-asked-questions-gateway.htm

Probably one of the best beaches in the city, simply because no one comes here. And the people that do are really nice and respectful. It's a serene spot, and you can find some naturalists and hipsters along the way. There are lots of rules, which can be a little annoying and they are heavily enforced, like no dogs on the beach and no alcohol. I hate that there are park rangers all over the place. There are no lifeguards on duty, so even if you're a good swimmer, don't go out too far in the water. The beach is immaculately clean with little trash, although it would be nice to see some more trash cans set up.

I'll call here "The Thinking Beach".... Artists can get lost here. As a matter of fact anyone can, it simply takes you and your breath away. One early spring Sunday with a chill in the air but ever so calm, so peaceful. Waves, non-existent on my visit, picturesque, oh yeah! I understand there's a lot of history here at the park and beach but I didn't get into it. I was too busy enjoying the moment AND trying to capture pictures to tell the story which I failed at miserably. I dare anyone to visit here and not be taken away. Come on, bring the children, let's make some sandcastles! I'll be back. The End.

5 stars because this beach is Chill!!! I don't know about parking, came with friends who parked where they knew they would get a ticket but it was worth it, the beach is awesome. Ticket is 60. We came and knew it was going to be busy because it was the hottest day of the summer in nyc this year. Spent about 7 hours here and everyone was friendly, the beach wasn't dirty every seemed to pick up after themselves after they left. Not many kids were here which was nice, I counted maybe 5. I will be coming again

At the bus stop near Beach 169 St. there are minivans that take people back to Williamsburg; that says something about who likes to come to Ft. Tilden. But this should not deter the explorer in you, since Ft. Tilden has a lot to offer. A beautiful area to discover, with a pristine beach, sand dunes, a maritime forest, and an abandoned military base. There are no facilities here: no lifeguards, no bathrooms, no trash cans, and no food, (apart from the occasional push-bike cart). The beach itself is pretty narrow. Last time I was there there were some pretty big-ass waves that ate up about half of the beach. It was fun in the water, but all the people on the beach were squeezed in a narrow band by the fence near the dunes, and it felt pretty crowded. Unfortunately there's a lot of trash on the beach, mainly in the form of cans and trash bags neatly closed and then abandoned by the fence. If you come here, please be respectful of this place and take all your trash back with you. The dunes are a fragile ecosystem, and should be left alone. There are plenty of paths that take you across the dunes. And if you're into urban archaeology, this is one of the most interesting (and spooky) places NYC has to offer. Right behind the beach, in fact, there are the remains of a military installation, built around the time the US entered WWI and closed in the late '70s, was supposed to defend NYC from an attack coming from the sea[1]. The two massive 16-inch cannon buildings of Battery Harris (East and West) are the two most impressive remains: it truly feels like you're right in the middle of Planet of the Apes. Between the abandoned military buildings engulfed in vegetation, and the silent forest, the atmosphere is definitely eery. You feel that this would be a good place where to dump a corpse, or to meet a herd of hungry zombies. Unfortunately most of the buildings are covered in graffiti. It would be great if the city could actually reclaim the area and preserve it. There is also a lot of trash around. If you take the beautiful wooden ladder that take you on top of Battery Harris east, you can enjoy a 360 degree view over the ocean, the Rockaway peninsula, and the skyline of the city. Surrounded by cans and broken glass, unfortunately. This is definitely a five star place. Too bad too many people that come here are just unable to enjoy it in a respectful manner. --------------------------- [1] If this may sound like cold war paranoia, consider this: during the months leading to the invasion of Iraq, I had arguments with several people supporting the war who were convinced that Iraq was ready to invade the US.

The best beach in NYC as far as I'm concerned! It's a little hard to get to because the subway doesn't let you off very close to this beach. It's best to drive, or better yet bike. The beach is less busy and more secluded. It's also topless for you ladies trying to get a good tan. But everyone's cool and there's no creepers or uptight women shielding their children's eye's, ha! You can also try to find the abandoned fort and climb to the top. At the top you can see a 360 view of Rockaways, the city and really everything and it's spectacular!

Bunker with graffiti makes me happy :), much bugs and other creatures lurking about too!

Fort Tilden Park is part of Queens as John F. Kennedy Airport is Queens. Owned and operated by National Park Service, Gateway National Recreation Area that is adjacent to Jacob Riis Park. Fort Tilden is an easy access from Brooklyn's Marine Parkway Bridge, or via Rockaway Peninsula, or Q35 or Q22 Buses. Serving as a once functional fort from World War I through Vietnam War it defended New York Harbor, which today comprises many activities of biking, fishing, and including a theater.

I thought I would weigh in since there is so much misinformation out there regarding Ft. Tilden. First off, there is NO parking. None. You can park @ Riis but that means a mile walk, at least. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from March until September. There are NO bathrooms, except one nasty port a john. There are no lifeguards on the beach since it's technically a fishing beach and swimming is prohibited. There are no trash cans and no food vendors. Grills are not allowed and neither is alcohol. Or glass for that matter. All the vegetation beyond the beach is covered in poison ivy. There is no proper place to lock your bike up. However, it is free and there aren't too many places off limits. Stay Off The Dunes! They were planted by hand after Sandy & are very fragile!

Ive been coming here for over 10 years, I LOVE Ft. Tilden. Im annoyed that this beach has been discovered and now I have to go even further down to escape the crowds (I take the train everyday im tired of people on top of me all the time). No lifeguards but thats ok. Beach is clean and sand is nice. You can lay out topless but not NUDE. I REPEAT NO NUDITY. You will get a ticket and be charged as a sex offender. Love the "out of way" ness of this spot, eliminates alot of the unsavory, lazy, loud characters that can quickly ruin your beach escape. Its no Antigua but it will continue to suffice while I live in NYC. p.s.- to all the chicks posing and fluanting topless, we get it, you have breasts. Just be normal and stop looking for attention (thats what instagram is for)

Ok, this isn't some white sand beach in the Carribean with clear blue seas, but Fort Tilden gets 5 stars for being a pretty damn good beach that is accessible from the city. Fort Tilden is adjacent to Jacob Riis Beach/Park. You can drive to Riis and park in the lot of r $10 and walk to the right until you start seeing the landmarks that indicate you are near Fort Tilden - the dilapidated beach house spray painted red and white and/or boobies. That's right folks, Fort Tilden always has a handful of topless sun bathers and it's pretty nice to let the girls out, honestly. Whether you air out your tatas or keep them under wraps, you can set up shop and sun bathe and swim and enjoy feeling like you aren't in the city. I took the B41 to the Q35 from PLG and the ride was really not bad at all. The bus will drop you at Fort Tilden/Breezy Point or Riis. There is literally no better day I can think of then setting up an umbrella, playing in the waves and drinking a beer on the beach (note: I don't think beer is actually allowed on the beach but no one seems to bother people being discreet). The Riis Bazaar with some shops and food is walking distance and sometimes you can catch a live band over there. I don't think I would be able to survive NYC summers without Fort Tilden. It's just a really chill place to spend time. Pro Tip: If you walk in from the bus stop, you can sometimes pet police horses that are in the fields next to the path to the beach.

I had two Heattech leggings under my pants and five top layers under my long down coat. Was I dressed for a Uniqlo Ad or an expedition to Alaska? Heck no. We were all gathered, in variations of cold weather clothing, for the Fort Tilden New Year's Day hike. For my first Yelp review of 2017, I thought it fitting that it be about the New Year's Day hike sponsored by the Gateway Parks service, with space and snacks generously provided by the Rockaway Artists Alliance. The hike itself takes you on the beach, rugged in all its wintry beauty, barren but for the scattered sanderlings and gulls you see. If the thought of a new year brings fear of failing resolutions and the unknown, toss your Prozac away and seek nature here. If you just love deserted beaches in the winter, as I do, come here. This is wild nature, needing no artifice to enthrall. The walk started out unorganized. The exhibit space of the Rockaway Alliance was the meeting place, where all the various plates of cookies, cakes etc, were laid out in a welcoming spread. Unfortunately, that building only had 1 bathroom, with one toilet, and a large crowd showed up on this glorious day. So the guides decided that one would wait for the group of people still waiting to go for the bathroom and the other would take people out. My friend and I and other lost the second guide, who never came back! After some confusion, it was easily remedied. Fort Tilden beach is never busy and a crowd of 60 people wasn't difficult to find. Our guides were Don Riepe and Mickey Maxwell Cohen. Both were knowledgeable, chipper, sweet. Don Riepe, if you are a birder, is a legend in the birding and littoral world and also credited as one of two key saviors of Jamaica Bay after Sandy. I think he dyes his hair white to look old. The man could out walk, outpace, out climb anyone of us there. As he stood there, poised on the edge of a precipice to take a group short shot of us waving, I wondered when he would teeter over and then...take flight! They took us past the beach and to the buildings around Fort Tilden, past the batteries with their multicolored graffiti and past Katharina Grosse's spray painted building. We were given doses of military history, shown how to identity poison ivy in the winter. The highlight for me was climbing up to the hawk watch platform above the East Harris Battery. It was past raptor migration period, but the views from up high were stunning anyway. The Parks Service had thoughtfully erected a staircase recently, perhaps tired of birders sliding down the hill and destroying bird nests, not to mention their faces. For two hours, it didn't seem like a long walk, perhaps because they stopped to talk. Even my friend with foot issues didn't have a problem. At the end of the walk, Don and Mickey broke out the champagne, and hungry folk noshed on what seemed like a table covered entirely with sweets. It was a lovely and different way to start off the new year, and in good, convivial company. For the picturesque landscape, the enthusiasm of everyone there, and providing a smart way to work of holiday calories, the New Year's Day Walk is a solid five stars. Some things to note: 1) the walk is free. 2) the snacks and coffee are free. However, it seemed that on one website they mentioned potluck. Regulars to this annual walk knew to bring food. We knew squat. There was a donation jar to help pay for the food. Suggested was only $5..don't be a humbug. I believe the tour leaders and the Artist Alliance contribute much of the food and drink. 3) if you go, you can bring something but it isn't required(just donate some $$). I would bring something savory, as the entire table was covered with cookies, cakes, chocolate etc. 4)the wait for the toilet is long. Deal with it because the public toilets in Fort Tilden Park have been locked for the winter. 5) You don't need to wear hiking boots but wear comfortable walking shoes. This isn't the time to show off the fancy heels you sashayed with on New Year's Eve. But the trails in the Fort and the sand are easy to walk on. The only hike up is the stairs to the hawk watch platform. You don't have to go up. Don't touch the barren shrubs etc. Don explained that poison ivy is still active in the winter. 6) The group can get big. We were advised to stay close to Don as he is a veritable encyclopedia about nature. They did not split the group into two, as they originally said. But you can't go wrong with Mickey either. 6) If you come by way of Queens via the Q53 and Q22, they are fast and reliable and empty on New Year's Day.

One of the cleaner and quieter beaches in NYC. I came on a blazing hot summer Sunday, the beginning of a heat wave, and it was clean and calm. Oh, well traffic was an absolute nightmare ...but it was all worthwhile. Everyone headed to Riis beach completely missed this gem. But shhh let's keep it that way. The sand is full of broken sea shells, otherwise, it's garbage free. The water is surprisingly the cleanest I've seen yet. No floating baby diapers, plastic bags or cigarette buds! However, the water itself is green, but hey we're not talking about the Cayman Islands here. It's also full of broken sea shells so be careful walking in the water.

It took me 4 trains and a bus to get here from North Brooklyn [although, to be fair, I could have taken one less train. But, I was meeting the cutest girl ever off the L and took the scenic route. Believe me, you would have done the same thing without hesitation]. I would have come to Fort Tilden if I had to take every single train and bus that the MTA operates to get here. Yes, this beach is THAT amazing. The water is abnormally clean. I even went swimming in it [and by swimming, I mean I went in up to my knees and then got knocked over by a wave]. That being said, be careful and know your limits when swimming here. There are no lifeguards on duty, and the waves are VERY strong. I weigh about 200 pounds and the wave that took me down threw me around like a feather. The beach is a little dirty because people come here and leave their trash behind, which is just beyond me because there are trash cans. USE THEM. There's also quite a bit of brush, sticks, and seaweed everywhere along the sand. But, whatever, it's a beach. That's what nature does. There aren't any snack shops or anything near by, so come prepared with enough food and drinks to last you. Also, bring footballs, frisbees, etc. with you, because the beach is empty enough to play whatever kind of beach games that you're into. Just don't be like me and accidentally throw the frisbee into the water [It's okay, the waves brought it back]. On the way home we realized that we could have taken just 2 buses to get here. It takes the same amount of time, but it was nice not to have to transfer a thousand times. Moral of the story is stalk out the bus maps and avoid HopStop/Google when mapping out the best route to get here. The next time I come here I'm riding my bike down. According to other Yelpers it's a nice ride, and the bus that picks you up from near the beach is pretty unreliable [we had to wait for at least an hour for the bus because all of the ones that came 'round were already jammed packed and the driver didn't even stop]. But, as long as you're surrounded by good company it's hard to be irritated when you've spent the entire day loungin' at Fort Tilden.

This place is my jam. Great sandy beach filled with beautiful people. If you bring your dog during summer you might get in trouble and/or booted from the beach so watch out! I love coming here with a couple friends and have been maybe 8 times in the past month! Bring a towel, a blanket, some sun screen and a spliff to get the full scale experience. Sure Tilden can get crowded, but nothing like Riis next door. We love this spot so much that when there's no parking we've actually paid for J Riis parking and walked the mile or so through the back way to Tilden. Bravo! PS - I also come here in winter to walk on the empty beach and dig the beautiful quality of light. Off season you can park right up along the sand and bring your dog for a chill interlude

Has anyone had this happened to them too? I was laying on the beach and a worm/larvae bit me. It really freaked me out the first time (I got a shell and threw that one in the water) and then a second one bit me again. Not as sharp but it was still very disturbing. I left after that. Btw, they moved fast and seemed really agressive for being so small. Not cute

Seems like a nice big open field. There's a pretty church there, but the real money is in the beach front. It looks so nice, like that classic Long Island vibe from pictures and movies.

I was there only to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibit, the beach was a bonus. Plus it was the hottest day and a dunk in the ocean was exactly what I needed after a long bike ride from the ferry. Even on Labor Day it really wasn't that crowded at all and no kids, just a slew of millennials. There's no lifeguards or tacky boardwalks just dunes and beach. This is exactly my speed. Although, I could have used a beach shower. Salt water is so sticky.

Hey you! Yeah, you; come over here. I need to tell ya somethin. SHHHH! I don't wanna draw any attention, but I wanna let you in on a lil secret. This is the best (free) beach around, hands down. No seriously, put your hands down. People are looking. Oh alright, just scram! But don't tell anyone, we're tryin to keep out the riffraff. This is how I feel about Ft. Tilden. Its such a great spot that I want to share with all my friends, but I was wary to write a review and let the wet cat out of the bag. Fortunately for the feline, others have already opened the bag. I know I was quoted in a previous review stating that Far Rockaway was the best free beach around; I herby retract my statement. If you go a little further down The Rockaway Penninsula, passed Jacob Riis Park (pretty good spot as well) you will find yourself at Ft. Tilden. The reason that I like FT the best, is because it is secluded. It's not the easiest beach to get to without a car, hence the seclusion. If you drive, it'll be $5 a car load for parking. You can also ride a bike; straight east out Flatbush ave. all the way to the end, and you're there. You can take the A to the Shuttle, as if you were going to Far Rockaway, and then transfer to the Q22 at 116th st. Or you can take the 2 to Flatbush ave/Brooklyn College and transfer to the Q35 towards Rockaway park/Beach 116 st. It is a bit of a trek, but its worth it. When you get there, you'll see what I mean. You'll walk as far south as the dilapidated boardwalk goes, and then you'll hop down onto the sand and continue passed the "unprotected beach" sign. Don't worry, this doesnt mean it is a haven for STD's, it just means that there are no lifeguards on duty. So be careful, there are strong currents and rip tides here; know your limits. You will see jetty after jetty. Pick your spot, and enjoy the solitude. No whistles from over zealous life guards. No screaming brats running around, ignored by their parents. Only serenity. It's a great place to skim board, due to the lack of a crowd. Plus the jetty's give you a pretty swell break (see what I did there). Surfing is probably good as well, even though I have never attempted it here. If you boogie board, and are not a child, all I have to say is: bwahahaha! Pop open your beverage of choice, or light up any other vice you may have. There is no one here to reprimand you. Just please, pick up after yourselves, and keep Ft Tilden pristine. Thank me later.

Great beach with wild sand dunes all pristine and untouched... Sand is virtually white and the wild vegetation doesn't make you feel like you're in New York . Beach goers are a mix of young hipsters and Brooklyn type artists with their tattooed significant others. Also on weekdays it is very peaceful and best to go to relax. A big change from your commercial packed Jones Beach, Long Beach etc..

So much hatred of the "hipsters" in many Yelpers' reviews -- but I would prefer them to the ratchet messes you find at beaches like Coney! Update: I had witnessed two junkies shoot up in broad daylight at Coney. No complaints about Tilden. Biked 17 miles to get here from Manhattan -- inaccessibility is a plus because it weeds out crowds/subway crews. The beach and surrounding area are beautiful. There was only one food truck when we got there. No commercialized BS, otherwise. Almost didn't feel like NYC.

Yikes! Why so much hate on Yelp! When it comes to Fort Tilden, people like it or hate it...no half way. I have been to the parks and beaches of NY and LI for decades. I still recall the amusement parks in Rockaway and Whitestone. We have tried coming to Tilden since Sandy hit and are amazed at how long it has taken for the area to rebuild. I hope that the City and State will conserve this place both for its natural beauty and historical importance. Parking regulations change with the season and the beach/ park rangers are friendly and knowledgeable. One gave us a short history about the fort. It made my son's day.

Great chill place to be especially during Halloween with the haunted house and garden of good and evil but mostly evil lol. However beware I heard they do kkk meetings there in the past , not sure if true or not but good to know in case.

I was a little underwhelmed by this place. Maybe it was the low visibility (foggy day) or the lack of visual attractions (the sand "dunes" are kinda disappointing), but I wasn't wowed by what I saw here, and have little reason to ever go back.

What is freedom? Great question. Does the government give it to us? Are we born with it? We all seek freedom. Freedom of, freedom from, freedom to. I'm an American first and a man second. So that means I can do whatever I want. I have the freedom to go where I want to and do as I please. The world is my oyster and I was born to shuck. For women, things are little different. Women and their cherished rights have been overlooked for centuries. Trampled on by rats, pigs and snakes. In some far away lands they carry things on their heads, pump out kids for domineering husbands and fear reprisals for simply learning to read. Some cultures don't want a literate woman. So women are covered up. Kept indoors. Their opinions aren't valued. They live to rot because men run the show. This is true. But America tries to be different. But even we fall short. Not at Fort Tilden. At Fort Tilden women are free. Free to relax, be themselves and of course show their tits. They aren't ogled at. They aren't gawked at. The sand and water is Poseidon's gift to Woman. They just soak in the rays of the sweet honey sun. We all benefit. A tit to some is just another palindrome. A kayak for your troubles. A racecar for your problems. But a tit is freedom. Liberty. Let them swing in the July air. God Bless America, Fort Tilden and every smooth set of tits. Just another day at the beach.

I see a lot of mixed reviews about Fort Tilden. Most of the negative ones have to do with hipster invasions. I bet most of those reviews are from transplants. I don't get it. I'm born and raised in New York. The beach demographic really didn't phase me. If you want serenity, get on a plane and go to a tropical island. Or buy some better earbuds / headphones for your iPods. This is NYC, guys. I went recently on a Sunday morning with friends. It wasn't a super hot day. Maybe in the mid to upper 80s. We got there around 11:30am and set up our umbrella, cooler and blankets. By around 1:30pm the beach started to get a little more crowded. But I didn't even notice until I looked around because I was too busy relaxing and being within my own thoughts. We also had a boombox and had it at a somewhat loud volume for the entire seven hours we were there. Not obnoxiously loud. Just outdoor loud. We didn't want to disturb anyone. But nobody seemed to mind. Actually I think a few people set up camps near us just to listen to our music. Park rangers and mounted police do roll by every now and then just to check on things. So if you are doing activities of the hoodrat variety, keep them concealed and stay vigilant. Alcohol is permitted as long as you drink out of cups and you're not being a complete jerk about it. And If you're uptight about the human body in its natural form, be aware that women do go topless at Fort Tilden. All in all, I went to Fort Tilden with friends to relax, chat, eat tuna fish sandwiches, drink wine and relax some more. And I accomplished that. In my opinion, I think the best feature of Fort Tilden is that there are no lifeguards. Therefore, no children or big families. It's a very "adult" beach. So if that's what you're looking for and you're a Brooklynite, it's your best option if you want to swim or get your tan on.

I'm spoiled by west coast beaches. Or should I say, my opinion and regard for east coast beaches is very low, as my first surf and tan experience on this side of the US was a crowded Coney Island. barf etc, I know I know... So a special man friend was always like... Fort Tilden this and Fort Tilden that... I figured it was just his penchant for topless hipster Brooklyn girls, and basically ignored his highlight of said spot time and time again.. Finally I gave in and we jumped on a motorcycle and took the 35 minute drive from lower Manhattan, as no one is jumping at the chance to swing by and pick up this particular topless hipster from Brooklyn.. plus thanks to Fort Tilden, being the loser on the Essex bound J train holding a helmet has since become one of my favorite things. We get to the beach and the easiest thing to do is park at the Jacob Riis parking lot and walk towards Tilden. We usually go on weekdays, as with anywhere else weekends can get bustly fast... But I took a girlfriend (who has lived on the east coast her whole life and has never had a Tilden experience!) and for a Sunday on the water, it wasn't overcrowded or obnoxiously busy. As for getting here without a car or a dreamy guy on a motorcycle, i have no clue how you could make this happen. Ride your bike? Are you kids still doing that? Explore the fort (thus Fort Tilden) but make sure to wear shoes (I learned this the "hard way"/someone had to give me a piggy back ride out.) From the top you can see manhattan super clear (Brooklyn is flatter than me, yo.) Topless friendly... B cups to the sky, ladies. Tanlines are SO 2008. Bring snacks and booze, as there are no snacky stations on this beach. Nor lifeguards. Seclusion is the keyword here. I know, I know like everything else you treasure and try to keep secret this one is getting out of the bag. but COME ON... people can't go to the beach everyday. And because it's semi inaccessible, there won't ever be Jones Beach sized crowds here. Plus, people who have lived here most to all of their lives have never been to or heard of Tilden.. so I think you're in a good place for at least a few more years. If it kills you that much, go on a weekday, or slightly overcast day. Chances are you'll snag a nice stretch of sand all to yourself. And word to the haters.... You are the same people who hate "hipsters" in Williamsburg, then complain about how generic the lower east side has become... I, for one, would much rather be on a beach crowded with pretty tattooed girls and dudes who at least PRETEND to own vinyl. We can't stop progress. Or Hot Topic. Just some food for thought.

It was, truly, a halcyon day. I've never used this word before because I still don't know how to pronounce it and it's a hyper literary term that always seemed contrived and detached to me...until yesterday. There really was no other word sufficient to describe yesterday. Buddy Sean B. from D.C. met a friend in Carroll Gardens at 11 a.m. via the B41 from Grand Army Plaza because the 2,3 wasn't running to Manhattan. After putzing around on Hoyt Street waiting for a girl who then flaked, we took the 2 to the end of the line at a central part of Brooklyn that looked like the outskirts of Los Angeles, exposed and baking on treeless avenues. Sought shade in a shady liquor store that had $16.30 (after tax) boxes of Franzia on a shelf like books in a library. We went with "chillable red." (Later, the joke became that it was a new grape called "chi-LA-bleh.") Back in the hard sun, I couldn't help but answer the call of a pizza place nearby. Just as my buttery, ziti and vodka sauce covered slice wobbled out of the oven, Christine H. ran to the door and screamed, "THE BUS IS HERE!" Tossed a five at the bewildered cashier and ran, somehow managing to shove my way in through the mob at the bus door, claiming the last free seats in the back. A short twenty while later, we arrived at Jacob Riis Park. Apparently, we missed an earlier stop. It was a pleasant detour, though, especially after having poked around there this past winter. Colorful blobs of people dotted the sand, and the boardwalk was so blinding in the sun that I started seeing in sepia. A timeless picture of a New York summer appeared before my eyes, asterisk-like for all their squinting. We highstepped along that sizzling boardwalk to a grand bathroom building, and onward to an even more dazzling expanse of white sand portioned off by charming jetties. The beaches at Riis had been nice enough compared to Rockaway (which in turn is shockingly nice compared to other city beaches), but here was a proper mirage of seclusion. It was Southern France (bright umbrellas, quiet, teal water with tiny whitecapped waves) meets North Carolina (white sand, large space, fishermen with poles by the jetties), and the pairing was more harmonious than one might imagine. What followed: sharing shade under a multi-striped umbrella that Chris I. was smart enough to bring, covering my crotch with my hands when a friend kindly told me that my American Crapparel suit was basically oversexy enough to expose it, suckling "wine" from the Franzia bag like a baby at the breast then using the bag as a pillow, pounding Gatorade and enjoying a Boar's Head salami sandwich (definitely bring provisions with you to save time and angst), riding waves off a distant sand bar for a whole hour until Christine H. came looking for me, swimming out to the sandbar again with the only team of hardasses unafraid to navigate the afternoon chop, lying out in a semi-conscious state while friends and their friends discussed the best way to prepare a duck... I wasn't ready to leave when everyone else was. If I could have had it my way, I would have fallen asleep naked and continued to dwell there for the rest of the year like Tom Hanks in Castaway, minus the distress and cinematic mediocrity. But compromise is the thing, so I walked now with three Yelpers (coincidence?) through a golden field whose sheen trickled up all the way to the undersides of the fluttering leaves of tall trees twinkling with tiny white flowers. This was Steinbeck territory. A retro ranger's truck outside the small bathroom shelter overpowered even our post '80s colors into making us feel borne to an older time. The hot breeze carried jolly Norteña (a guess) music from a cookout across the field, but failed to revive us to the present. Monarch butterflies chased each other over a fence grown through with shades of green matched by a nearby farm plot. In the distance was the bluish outline of the Empire State Building, as if still a sketch in the architect's mind. Completing the weirdness was two girls in calico dresses walking out of a rundown house towards nowhere. We will ever know if it was the Franzia, heatstroke, or reality. We popped out at the foot of a highway onramp with green and white signs indicating The City. Not sure which bus we took back, but only remember that it made some theme park turns. The glow of the day only began to blow off particle by particle as we crossed the threshold back to common reality over the Marine Parkway Bridge. The cobalt sea and the white sailboats dotting it were the last painting of the past to quench the vision. Outrageous that this place is accessible by public transportation - who cares that it takes 1.5 hours with transfers. Tilden may easily become plagued by its current demographic, but only nature may luxuriate in her own treasures when the days grow short.

Have been coming here for the last few years. It still amazes me that you can find natural sand-dunes at the end of a sub-way line (+ bus ride). Main benefit is it's relative inaccessibility so very few families make it to the beach and those that do get there have to take all their own supplies. There are no concession stands or water fountains (except near restrooms near entrance) or life guards (be careful of the rips). For those who make it grab some drift-wood and make shelter and doze off dreaming that you're somewhere more exotic. Clothing seems optional. Not a beach for those who have any homophobic tendencies. At beach post 5 opposite from the beach there is a small path entering the scrub. Follow it through the reserve to reach the large bunker and climb to the top to see 360 views.

I used to love coming to this beach because it was so desolate; I would ride my bike from Crown Heights, first down Bedford Ave, then down Flatbush. There are other ways to go, but Flatbush is the fastest. The concrete paths make it easy to ride around and find a good spot. I especially like the former missile silos and other abandoned structures. Fort Tilden was my Montauk, hours could go by and I would be the only one on the beach. For a long time, it was the perfect beach. I don't know who was responsible, but someone really blew up this spot. I went there today and the beach was pretty packed, just about as crowded as Jacob Riis on a normal afternoon. Members of the park service and patrolmen were everywhere; riding in cars and SUVs, standing along fences, and some were stationed at various locations as a checkpoint. I guess they were cracking down on people bringing in beer or walking their dogs on the beach, but the amount of patrolmen seemed excessive. Don't get me wrong, they were all very polite, totally not aggressive or anything, but it seemed strange. I felt like I was on an active military base instead of the decommissioned one it is today. I still love Fort Tilden, but the new crowds are a big turnoff for me. I'm happy that more people are enjoying the beach, but I prized this one for desolation.

To the locals hating on Fort Tilden lovers coming from other neighborhoods, get over yourselves!!! Fort Tilden is a fantastic beach/beach area, a true beach lovers dream. It doesn't matter if hipsters, rich people or poor people visit this spot, that's the beauty of New York and our lovely beaches. @Janelle F. - I would leave my tidy whities at home but would you really prefer that I wear my un-tidy whities on the beach?

This park is so lovely. I was sure it was in Brooklyn., but it turns out that it's in Queens. Which meeeeannns I accidentally rode my bike to Queens! Major victory for me! So here's the deal, bike people. It's really easy to get here. Like, REALLY easy. Flatbush Ave turns into Marine Parkway. You just go over the Marine Parkway bridge - it's kind of at an annoying gradient but it's probably only about a mile, or less than ten minutes, long. You probably are technically supposed to go on the road, but I would definitely ride on the sidewalk, which is partitioned off from the road. Cars be flllllying, lemme tell you. Also, it's a draw bridge, so just be careful. I am not the most awesome biker ever, though, and I had no problems. When you get off the bridge, go to your right on Rockaway Point Blvd, and you'll see the entrance to Fort Tilden. If you keep going right, there are some really fun paths to ride on (with some crazy graffiti!). The actual waterfront is a little crazy because there are no lifeguards and there is a steep drop into the ocean. When the tide is coming in, it is a bit crazy - the waves were ginormous when I was there. Fort Tilden is a hidden gem in the popular Rockaways. Unlike Rockaway Beach itself, there aren't a zillion people - really it was very quiet when I was there. Unlike a previous reviewer (who I see is not from NYC! haha) I didn't think the beach was very dirty at all compared to some places in the city... and for me it's so wonderful because the Rockaways including Fort Tilden are the honest-to-goodness ocean, and there is nothing else in sight on the skyline but limitless, glorious salt water... and on the other side of that, Europe... This is the stuff dreams are made of. For us city folk anyway.

If you have a nice sunny day, can get up early enough to leave your house by 11am, you could have a totally awesome day. Things you need to make this great: 1. a bicycle 2. friends 3. a bathing suit 4. a cooler (would be helpful for drinks and snacks). 5. directions 6. Sunblock 7. Towel Other than that, you have a day of success ahead of you. After about a 1.5 hour nice bike ride from Brooklyn to Fort Tilden, (it wasn't too too hard but a definite workout!) we arrived at what people call the "secluded beach." I am afraid after numerous articles including one in the NY Times, Fort Tilden is no secret, but it is definitely nicer than the neighboring beach, Jacob Riis Park...that one is packed with families. Fort Tilden is clothing optional, and you can't have glass or dogs. I didn't see any other rules really. The beach was still busy, but way less busy than the neighboring one, had nice water, sand, and unfortunately no amenities (hence a bike would be helpful to go to the toilet at the next beach). I have heard it is hard to get a train all the way in so you would probably have to leave even earlier. But if you are thinking of renting a bike and going somewhere, I would go here. Awesome day at the beach, and way less annoying than any other NY beach I have been to. Oh, and if you are going to Fort Tilden, please pick up your trash and dispose of it in the garbags bins provided! Beaches turn to crap for a reason!

I think that Ft Tilden get way too much credit then what it really is. First, you will not find parking. And if you will not resist the temptation of parking against what clearly written over the signs, you will find a ticket when return to the car. Your other option is to park far, and start walking. Does the place worth the walk and to spend a day that can be spent in much better places in New York? Not on my book.

First off I'm a bougie beach goer whose used to amazing New England beaches on Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard. After moving to NY, I was disappointed to find out all the beautiful beaches were all the way in the Hamptons with the high rollers or down the shore with The Situation clones. So when I finally made it out to a NY beach that was beautiful and not filled with trashy teenagers, I was ecstatic! Forget Riis Park that filled with kids and bridge and tunnels- go the extra half mile down the beach to Ft Tilden. Unfortunately it's some what of a pain to get to. Our first visit we were able to park across the street in a parking lot marked for "ferry and fishing only", which was pretty convenient, but the second time we went there was a cranky old park ranger who told us we had to park all the way at Riis beach and walk it out. Not a fan- but worth it once you get there! Sand is pretty clean (watch out for sharp sea shells), and quiet. The crowd is predominantly hipsters from BK with their bikes, but I'm totally OK with that. Makes it easier to 420, grill and booze without issue. You may even make a few friends! Definitely check out the milkshake truck on your way out- 50 flavors-- BOMB! Ill be back!

This off-the-beaten path beach is dirty, smelly and a little rough around the edges...and I don't mean because of all the hipsters. I'm always up for adventure, especially an urban one so after reading several reviews and getting a personal recommendation, we decided to check it out. Getting there is not so bad, 2 train to Q35 and then about a 20 min ride. But judging based on the amount of track bikes and old Huffy's locked up on the path, 2 wheel pedal power seems to be the most popular mode of transport. Heading SW from Jacob Riis park the beach starts to narrow and the facial hair starts to get furrier...which is all good but so do the trash piles. Luckily we didn't encountered any coney island white fish but plenty of other debris to dodge. We planted ourselves down on a sandy (or what I'd more call dirt) plot and let the tranquility wash over us but we couldn't quite get there due to a persistent & putrid dead fish smell wafting our way. Add to that the cigs & weed and it makes for quite a unique bouquet! On the positive side it does seem that drinking on this beach is allowed or at least tolerated, maybe due to its remoteness? We didn't make it to the actual Fort but would be cool to go exploring around the area given its war time history.

Love this spot - One of my favorite New York beaches (which isn't really saying a whole lot, but I guess it says something). Never too crowded, no one cares if you bring a few beers or some wine. You may see the occasional topless (or bottomless) sunbather, so if that bothers you, maybe this isn't your kinda place. Unfortunately it's not really maintained so there's always garbage and such that you have to clear away before setting your blanket down. This also results in there being a lot of flies at times, so definitely bring the bug spray! I miss summer already!

Great place to spend the day with family and friends. Make sure you get a parking permit!

Fort Tilden Beach is one of NYC's most beautiful hidden gems. Although they don't seem so hidden on a sunny/hot Memorial Day; the beaches were pretty crowded. Still, the fact that you can only get here by biking and driving definitely weeds out some of the weekend crowd that you see at Rockaway. The beaches are nicely maintained, the water is swimmable (but be careful! no lifeguards) and all you can see from the beach is the ocean on one side and beautiful dunes on the other. There is no concession area or bathroom area, so bring your own picnic and be prepared for no public toilets. This is well worth the beautiful/long bike ride across Brooklyn. You feel more like you are out in Montauk than in NYC.

Only place to take the kids. Period. Clean beach. Clean water ( don't expect this everywhere in NY- Coney Island is a prime example). The food is pricey but there are healthy options. The waves are a bit more aggressive here but the beauty of the beach... enjoy!

I grew up spending my summers in Cape Cod, so I was skeptical of going to a New York beach because I just pictured it to be dirty and awful. however, Fort Tilden is actually wonderful beach, where you feel like you're at a BEACH, not just some sand and water surrounded by the city. The water was pretty warm when I went mid-June. I'm originally from New England so I'm used to the cold beaches in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, so I was pleasantly surprised! soft sand and no seaweed! :) Drove out here from Lower Manhattan and it was a nice, short drive. My boyfriend and I brought a disposable grill and stopped at a market nearby the beach to pick up some steak kabobs and some beers. Nobody cared that we had a grill which was awesome. No lifeguards, and no bathrooms, but I did see some "security" cruising down the beach in an ATV when we arrived. Only complaint -- there was a couple here that were practically nude. her, topless and in a thong, him in a speedo. come ON, we aren't in Europe here!! Have some decency and AT LEAST wear a bikini top.. geez! I was appalled by the woman especially since there were little children around... BUT, I'll still go back.

If you don't approach from the big empty unkempt fields on the approach from the street, hit the boardwalk at Jacob Riis beach, go all the way to the end--then keep going, on the sand, around the dune to this NPS-controlled property (go all the way to the end if you'd like to remove your clothing).

We like this beach because of all the cool abandoned houses you can check out ..We had a little adventure and climbed to the top for a beautiful view of the city. The beach itself is nice and clean but there are no lifeguards and the waves can get really intense.

Attended a large picnic event. The space was clean and large. There are two sides, so arrive early to get a good spot near the parking lot. If not, you will have to walk the distance.

About 20 years ago a friend of mine was an electrician for the National Park Service at Breezy Point. I had on many occasions been inside the concrete military bunkers that are scattered around on the property (the park's dept workers used to have parties in them). I have also been inside the Nike missile launch site. We drove down one of those back roads in there that led to a flat open concrete area. My buddy unlocked a hatch in the ground and we climbed down a ladder into the launch site. The rooms down there are all sound proofed. Very cool stuff. I live in NJ now and am dying to go back there. I guess in 2010 they are not open to the public?

Got there by 11:00am on one of the hottest weekend. Park outside the Fort and walked in with my portable small cooler and 2 towels. Settled closer side to Riis Park with only very few people, mostly young & urban crowd. Most search & use drift wood to setup their serenity heaven, very bohemian. Sand is soft, very little man made pollution and the wave is medium. As the hour grew, more are crowding the once quiet spot! Once serenity, now with freebie, volleyball & music! A great place for some quality quiet time, but go during weekday!!!