Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

Visited the West Pond trail at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and had a great walk. The entire trail is wide and topped with gravel, which made for comfortable, easy walking with no muddy spots. The path loops around beautiful pond views, offers plenty of birdwatching opportunities, and is accessible for most visitors. The gravel surface is perfect for a relaxed stroll or photography walk. Highly recommend this trail if you want a scenic, well maintained nature escape!

We have been coming here for many years! It is very well maintained. Once you're inside, you don't even feel as if you're in Queens. The wildlife and views are majestic! Also it's a nice long walk, if you decide to go all the way around. I try to go when the sun is strong, it deters the mosquitoes. If not bring some repellent. It's a wonderful place! Don't miss it!

Very nice hike through a gorgeous slice of wilderness located close to the city. When I went, it was raining and there weren't any other people around. We hiked not only the given trail but a little further out as we didn't realize we were deviating that much from it. The trail itself is very easy and not long at all. It will take you over a small natural bridge in between the bay and the ocean which makes for great winds, both of the summer breeze kind and the typhoon kind. After all that, a simple 10 minute bus ride to the nearby town to enjoy fresh sandwiches from the deli or good pizza is a must. There are multiple picnic areas available throughout.

Lovely place, warning it's absolutely scorching hot these days so please bring some water if you're gonna walk around! You can go all the way around the lake in around 30-35 minutes ish in the normal walk, and get to see tons of fantastic birds. Some of them hanging in groups on trees, or by the lake. It is well preserved as well. However you will likely only see birds by the lake and not for most of the path, so beware of that!

Such a beautiful place! With a super nice nature center. Especially during winter, even when it doesn’t snow.

Some nice shots during a quick visit on a blustery winter day.

A National Park Service managed wildlife refuge in NYC? Yes! This place is a wild bird hub and shorebird sanctuary. The trails are numerous and fun to traverse. Bring bug spray, water, maybe a snack, and wear clothes that repel bugs. The bugs are serious and will greet you before anything else. The birding here is phenomenal, and you start seeing amazing birds and hear bird songs right in the parking lot.you just have to listen and look around. Leave dogs at home since this place doesn't allow dogs. They won't like the environment either.

I love it here in winter! We saw snow geese today. I bring most of my guests here; the views of Manhattan are lovely. Nice 1.7 mi walk around the west lake. Terrific sunsets. No bugs in winter.

Definitely worth visiting when in the Jamaica Bay Area. The Park Rangers are friendly and knowledgeable. Lots of trails to walk.

One of the few undeveloped areas left within the five counties of New York City. A giant thank you to the Federal Government. Certainly not to the governments of New York State or New York City. The loop trail was clean and free from garbage and debris. Almost unheard of in the New York City area. Beautiful views and pictures of the sunset from the trail. Breathing good clean air from the ocean was refreshing. There are views of Manhattan from across the bay. Sadly, the skyline is tainted by a brown haze. The pollution is so blatantly obvious, looking North and South, the brown haze fades. I did not waste the data on a bad picture.

I personally think The refuge is well-maintained, clean, and a great place for a walk. I recommend it for both children and adults . I think the best time to go in the spring when migrating birds are present. Signs along the trail point out different birds that might be seen. And if you need binoculars while you there or you have to do is leave your ID and they will give you a free pair.

Beautiful place for you to take a walk. You'll completely forget that you are still in NYC. It's so peaceful here. Great place to do some bird watching. Highly recommended if you love the outdoor, living in NYC, but don't have time to get out from the city.

I can't believe I haven't written a review for Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge sooner. I've been living in Howard Beach for a little over four years now & since moving here I've been to Jamaica Bay more than 20 times. (I have 19 YELP check ins & I know I've forgotten to check in plenty of times) It's my go to spot to kill some time with my son. We love to "go for a hike" there. It's such a beautiful atmosphere. So many beautiful photo opportunities. Below I posted a few pics I've taken over the years. There's a small store where they have a lot of information of what wildlife lives in Jamaica Bay & what you might be able to see. I don't know how often they do it, but one time we were there my son was able to become a junior park ranger! If you are a nature lover like myself or a photographer I highly suggest you come over to Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge.

I love the serenity of these trails! Where else can you be in a nature preserve looking at swans to the left and the NYC skyline to the right?!?? The trail is gravel and easy to walk, push a stroller or wheelchair. Public restrooms available at the main parking lot as well are a bonus.

Fun spot to hike and bird watch nestled at the mouth of the Rockaways. The views are amazing the wildlife of birds is spectacular. People are thoughtful here to respect the space and not disturb the equilibrium of the space. It gets quite busy at times. Bring the kids and take a stroll or come with friends. But no bikes or furry friends are allowed. Bring your binoculars to spot the different bird species. Easiest to come by car but the bus leaves you right up front.

Miles of easy gravel and grass trails just west of jfk airport. Great views spanning from Jamaica bay all the way into manhattan. Perfect for bird watching or just a writer peaceful stroll along the nyc marsh and wetlands.

Very peaceful, and just right...... perfect setting. Bring sunblock if you're going mist of the summer.

I'm a beginner birder ( just started few months ago), I go around places in NYC that have a wide range of birds and try to identify them. So far, I've been to Alley pond park, Kissena Park,Forest Park,Central Park, and Bowne Park...It was my first time here but I made 3 big mistakes...I'm saying it now so you all dont make the same mistake. First mistake I made was going on a bad time..I arrived around 3 PM and the center closes at 4, I didn't have time to take my time and enjoy the center's exhibits as well as the posters, also it got dark realll quick so i rushed along the trails. On top of that I went the day before Thanksgiving so the buses were so packed and on the way home literally it moved and stopped over and over again.I actually spent half my time out today inside the buses( 3 and a half hours inside bus). I got home late at like 8 pm....when I wanted to arrive home around 5.30. Second mistake I made was that I went during very cold weather. It was so cold and windy that I legitimately thought imagine if I died here, with not a single person in sight. I couldn't breathe at how strong the winds were. And it wasnt like I didn't dress well. I had on an inside jacket with an extra north face thick big jacket outside , scarf on, hoodie on. But it was still so cold. The cold weather kinda ruined my experience single handedly. Third mistake is NOT sticking to the gravel trail. This is a no brainer but take my word as soon as you exit the visitor center you see 3 trails. A big one to the left. A big one to the right. And a skinny one around the right side..Me.being the Robert frost reading kid decided to go "the road not taken..." and go to the one on the right...what ended up happening was I walked 40 mins saw only like 2 bird types excluding gulls and sparrows.... and I ended up at some random dude's trailer or cabin.... so I realized I made a huge mistake and I turned 180 degrees to go all the way back to the visitor center , then embarked my way to the correct gravel path on the left... I only made it to about bench 8 then I decided I'm exhausted with the brutal cold wind, I've had enough. I will come back another day. Even though today I goofed up, I still enjoyed the beautiful water and the visitor center looked super cool. The ranger was polite and looked cool too. I am optimistic and looking forward to my next visit here. Which will either be in March or April when it is warmer. This time I WILL have a good time, I know it and update my review.

I almost didn't make it out alive...Mosquito Central. Felt like doing some exploring with the kiddos so we came here. Gave them some binoculars and we were off. Parking was a breeze since they have a parking lot. We took a map and asked the kind female Ranger for some tips. She told us which area to avoid that were extra buggy today. Tell me why I felt like Dora the Explorer today and fell right into the area because it looked interesting. Big mistake and I'm allergic too. Though I've been here once before Sandy, I didn't realize how beautiful this place was. The flora and fauna are absolutely amazing. My kids loved looking at the different types of birds and their nests. They kept asking where the gorillas were and I had to tell them this wasn't their habitat. We got to see and smell some amazing jasmine and one of my children spotted a cactus with this really pretty yellow flower. We didn't get a chance to explore the entire place because we kept scratching because of the mosquito bites but the day was perfect. Really a must see. Some tips: bring a hat, insect repellent, water, sunscreen, camera and comfortable clothing. Might want to leave the strollers behind since the ground is mostly all gravel. Also, you can't eat or drink around the refuge except for water. You can eat outside the area.

It takes a while to get here with public transportation. I took the public bus from Rego Park Queens all the way south along Woodhaven Blvd. (which then turns into Cross Bay Blvd). This place is located just north of Rockaway Beach with a bus stop right outside its vistor center entrance. The term "wildlife refuge" led me to assume there would be more animals here. It is actually just a big park with a lot of birds. There is also a circular trail you can walk on that makes a full circle around the entire place. It is not that big - you can walk the full circle in less than one hour. Overall, a good place to relax and do some bird watching.

Hidden gem in queens. Everytime I need some peace and quiet I come here for a hike and I love it! Bad phone reception but amazing views!

A lovely oasis of peace on the edge of a frenetic city. I loved it. I did not realize there were such lovely nature reserves within the city limits. The area around JFK Airport is particularly rich in wildlife and wetlands. Even got to watch nesting ospreys. The main building is fairly new and bright and has an auditorium and binoculars, in addition to loads of specimens that children can touch and identify, such as terrapin egg shells, moulted snakeskin and horseshoe crab shells. Also, the hurricane damage has been repaired so you can once again walk the south loop.

Nice quaint nature walk around the area. There is a great loop with 13 benches to view the many different species of birds.Highly recommended for a nice day walk.

Go there!!! By Train ('A' to Broad Channel and walk 15m north), By Select Bus, By Bike (the best way in and out), Kayak (though you must put-in on the Rockaway side boat ramp (or Sunset Cove/Broad Channel soon to be built) and if by kayak you can't land. Any time of year. Migration season is best (it's listed by the Audubon Society as a top 10 on the East Coast flyway). While there today, the Ospreys are migrating back from South America! Binoculars really add to the viewing and, absent fog, spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline. If you have time, head over to the East Bay. Ask the photographers/birders to point out what they're viewing. Lastly, there's a great Visitor Center/robust education programs and clean restrooms. A NYC gem.

A wildlife refuge in New York City... YES, it does exist! The serenity of the landscape is invigorating of 9,155 acres of nature's purity. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, a unit of Gateway National Recreation Area and a member of National Park Service, encompassing two freshwater ponds and 325 species of birds have been identified in the park. With a friend in dire need of an escape from my abject painful life's woes, whom I've been a Queens resident nearly all my existence I have NEVER visited this refuge until now. Upon check-in at the Visitor's Station all visitors are required to register for a free hiking permit, a waiver to sign to oblige National Park Service's rules: no bikes in both ponds, no swimming, no fishing, no dogs, no camping, no camp fires, no fire arms to threaten wildlife animals, and no vehicles. Park Rangers are friendly and attentive with any questions and instructions of the trails. Parking is free and admission is free. This Visitor Station render books and lectures for children and avid nature buffs where ecologists and park rangers are surfaced. West Pond A one and three quarter mile circular loop trail easily to complete under three hours. Gravel path on open terrain marshy areas of thick, tall grasses and trees with one Observation Blind for surreptitious photography. The trail is indicated with bench markers of numbers where I spotted Canada Geese, a written bird log for any sightings, and many other interesting man-made objects drifted to shore as my party of two wondered off the trail... shh! Off the trail on the shore we saw an abandon kayak that drifted to Jamaica Bay exposing the inside styrofoam, an abandon boat with the motor filled with seaweed, a car tire, boatloads of sea weed including dried sea weed, many deceased Horseshoe Crabs of all sizes especially giant ones, and pristine sea shells unscathed by man. The view of Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, and Rockaway Park are visible including parts of Manhattan. East Pond Accessible on the other side of Cross Bay Boulevard ONLY by foot thereby, no vehicles, no camping, no animals, no bicycles, no fire arms permitted. The A train Far Rockaway line is visible crossing and planes landing and taking-off are visible from nearby J.F.K. Airport. Swans are the main inhabits, lavender growing on coastal marshlands. Two Observation Blinds are along the gravel and boardwalk path of this Woodland Trail. As the gravel path goes deeper into the East Pond later then sand path, a section that reminisce of the famous poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost which philosophically a rhetorical symbolic the choices taken in life and its consequences. I personally love this pond for the size and many birds inhabiting. A Plover bird is spotted from an Observation Blind in East Pond. I was also fortunate to spot a huge flock of swans! Disappointingly we did not see any flora and fauna, nor diamondback terrapin turtles. Note: Must bring a camera, insect repellent, sunscreen SPF 60+, bottled water, definitely wear long sleeves, long pants, socks, waterproof shoes as the salt marsh areas are murky. Poison Ivy is very common in a wildlife refuge.

A beautiful park to feel like you're escaping the city while technically staying in it. Completely free. Pleasant for walking, and gorgeous for photography.

A delightful day trip for New Yorkers, easily accessible by car from Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan. This major refuge encompasses 9,155 acres of diverse habitats, including salt marsh, upland field and woods, several fresh and brackish water ponds, and an open expanse of bay and islands. It is internationally renowned as a prime birding spot where thousands of water, land and shorebirds stop during migration. Over the years the refuge has been managed carefully to support a large variety of animals, and new animals and plant life have also been introduced.

Great place to get away from the city. I went to visit as a volunteer. We were all taken in vans provided for by the National Audubon Society. Our mission was to plant trees. What a fun day! All of the sites along the way getting to the refuge were exciting to see. A lot of history here. We were accompanied by knowledgeable park rangers. They have scout campgrounds at this refuge. The camps were close to where we were planting. It was a fun outdoor digging in to nature experience. My kind of activity for a day. By the way, after all of our hard work they fed us!

A nice day trip away from the city, with excellent (we were told) opportunities for bird watching lovers and some nice views of the bay. The walk is pleasant, but since Sandy you can't complete the loop anymore, because the hurricane left a breach that doesn't allows visitors to cross. So now there's a "long way" and a "short way", both of which you need to retrace your steps. Overall, I enjoyed the walks, although the scenery here is nothing exhilarating. You can see all the way to Manhattan.

What a lovely place for a walk. Beautiful sights especially in the evening. The ground isn't great for strollers if you're traveling with a little one.

Lorca, with magic and song weaving throughout his words, understood. "Tell man that love is born out of an exaltation in all planes of life, that the rhythm of the leaf swaying in the wind echoed by that of a distant star, and the very words spoken by the fountain in the shade is repeated by sea, and in that same tone. Tell man to be humble. In nature, all things are equal." So man might have created skyscrapers and rockets to the moon, but it is the humble horseshoe crab that has survived 550 million years, is so important to the life cycles of countless shorebirds and marine creatures, and is invaluable in our medicines produced now. To celebrate this magnificent living fossil, Jamaica Bay hosted its first annual Horseshoe Crab festival during their mating season. When one of my special places hosts a festival touting one of my favorite animals, I didn't expect any less than a glorious day. And it was, also thanks to good weather. There was fun for all, starting with coffee and doughnuts( that no one in my health minded group ate!), and then we were car pooled over to a beach by the bay. Mickey Cohen and Don Riepe headed the tours, providing fascinating facts on this amazing creature after a media presentation by Paul. Mickey Cohen was our group speaker, and at 90, he was proved he could kneel, crouch and move better than many of the younger ones around, especially me! He provided a funny, always informative lecture on this amazing animal. I did cringe a few times he turned over a female and male to show us the anatomy and explain things, though he assured us the animals weren't harmed. Mickey handled the animals most respectfully but I was less stressed when I released the creature back into the bay. Mickey was also naughtily ribald; I won't tell you why Mickey wants to be reincarnated as a male horseshoe crab--you'll have to go to the next festival to find out. I could have stayed in that lovely little beach the whole day, just watching the horseshoe crabs go about their business in the bay but we were whisked back after about two hours. There were activities the whole day, with Deborah Cramer, author of The Narrow Edge, giving a talk about her award winning book. I've always had a great fondness for this gentle animal, but her talk and book will inspire the respect the horseshoe crab deserves. Don Riepe gave also a tour of the West Pond after, with its fully repaired circular loop open for walks. Children got to wade in the waters; we did some beach cleaning; others made prints of fish skeletons. My group of four went on a walk around the West Pond and then the East Pond after lunch, though to our disappointment and my expectations the birds weren't in sight at all during the hottest time of the day. Lovers of nature and especially of birds shouldn't hesitate to visit this precious refuge, especially during an event like the Horseshoe Crab festival. The guest speakers, especially if they get Mickey and Don, are a treat, and the staff there has always been helpful and knowledgeable.

I love coming here to walk along the trails. You still can't make a loop because of damage from Hurricane Sandy but it is a huge refuge and there is plenty to see. I really come here more for the trails but if you bring binos there is plenty of wildlife to see. There is a decent sized parking lot and they have rest rooms right at the entrances. There are also Park Rangers there to answer any questions. It's not really convienant to get to by subway but driving and biking are definitely options. I think the bus also stops here too. Definitely a hidden gem. You don't feel like you are anywhere in New York City or even Queens.

I live close by so it isn't a problem getting here. I've come here once and that was good enough for me. Walked a trail which ended up being a giant circle that was washed away by Sandy. Unless you're a bird watcher, there really isn't any reason to come out here. You can't bike or bring your dog. There's no other reason to go for me.

This place is gorgeous, secluded with great views of manhattan and many species of birds flying around. There's 2 loops, ones about 1 3/4 miles. This loop has beaches, views of the city and the Verrazano bridge. The other loop is 3/4 mile long and feels like you're in the middle of the woods with some beautiful lake view and wild flowers. It is hard to get to by public transportation which is probably why it's never crowded. The best way is to take the A train to Broad channel and bike there, or drive. Worth the effort for sure if you want to get away from the city and are looking for a peaceful walk in the country. Don't forget the bug spay!

Jamaica Bay is a good place to observe birds and butterflies, when I was there I saw a lot of birds flying all over my head.  I came here with a group of friends from the university because the teacher made us do this project where we have to talk about how these animals live here and talk about the place, have funds and take pictures of the animals and ourselves.  For me, this is a nice experience because you can enjoy nature and you can see how these animals live.  An interesting thing I learned on this excursion with my classmates was that when mute swans forage for food they dip their heads in the water and keep their bodies on the surface, some people use this place for exercise and a walk while I was seeing butterflies flying that was the first time I was going to these places and I saw that they were doing construction and when I was researching for my projects I found out that the water in the marshes was polluted and the sea level was rising so that it could cause flooding But then they start this project called the egg marsh experiment and then years later fine layers of sand were added up to 20 of height.   I only recommend this place for people who like to walk a lot and people who love birds and butterflies but it is worth it because you can see different species of birds but one thing that I did not like was the mosquitos so if you going there make sure you have a spray for mosquitos.

This location provides a great view of all of Manhattan. We were able to see lower, mid town and upper Manhattan from a distance. It is great place to take a break from the city life. The cool breeze off the water makes a hot summer day bearable. Be warned that swimming is not recommended because of the strong currents.

One of my absolute favorite places in the city. It's an easy subway ride to the Broad Channel stop on the A -- and then a little walk up the heavily trafficked Cross Bay Boulevard. But you feel a world away. Not at all like you're in New York City. For one, Broad Channel -- http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU%27D%20NEVER%20BELIEVE/Broad%20Channel/channel.html -- the community you'll walk through to the refuge -- is a little piece of antiquarian New England. Sea-side town, for sure. Secondly, the refuge itself. My wife and I walked the trail around the West Pond -- the East Pond trail is overgrown and muddy right now -- and saw all sorts of birds, including a troop of five geese who marched across the path in single file. The terrapin beach is closed to the public because it's nesting season, but next time I go back, I'll check out that part, as well. You can see the city's skyline to the north and west, and there is some plane traffic given the proximity to JFK, but in general, you're isolated, and it's quiet and natural and beautiful. And rare. Thank you, New York City, for preserving this salt marsh. Thank you for providing this haven for birds on the Pacific flyway. Thank you for making it walking distance to public transportation. And thank you for offering such a nice visitor's center, as well. If you've never been, go. If you've already been, go again.

How do you rate a wildlife refuge? I'm sure enormous and pristine areas in Alaska are arguably "better," but for New York City? This is a pretty wonderful spot. We biked out here from Ridgewood, but it is also accessible by bus or the A train to Broad Channel. The visitor center appears to be brand new and hosts the usual facilities (exhibits, restrooms) you'd expect. We tried the West Pond trail for starters-- I believe this is the most popular route, given all the company we had. The trail loops around a brackish pond, with the Bay always on one side fo the trail and the pond on the other, plus the distant skyline and planes landing at JFK. If you've got binoculars or a spotting scope you'll probably have more fun and success identifying birds than we did with the naked eye, but our list of positive IDs for the day is still pretty impressive: Osprey Tree Swallow Canada Goose Common Yellowthroat Yellow Warbler American Redstart Gray Catbird Rufous-Sided Towhee Northern Cardinal Double-Crested Cormorant plus some ducks, gulls, and sandpipers too far away to identify with my mediocre birding skills, and some sparrows and thrushes I didn't get a great look at Bird-nerd or not, every New York resident should visit this place at least once.

We're regular wildlife refuge visitors - and have been to many here and abroad. This one rates very high. Great care to maintaining natural environments for our feathered friends. Visitor center has great bathrooms (c'mon, you know how important that is!) And knowledgeable staff are helpful, in that new york kinda way. LOL I'm not the smartest birder, but we happened upon a great find today, a white-faced ibis. You can walk a short distance or a longer distance...during warm times, be sure to bring bug spray - they sell it in the visitor center just in case you forget. No food is sold - we brought sandwiches and such, and ate at picnic tables/benches in front of the visitor center. It's a good thing - go already!

I found the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge disappointing. The refuge was hit a bit by Superstorm Sandy and a section of the main loop trail was completely washed away. Over a year later that gap still exists, creating two out-and-back trails rather than the one loop trail. The refuge isn't that big and this loop trail is near the visitor center, probably the most visited section. One would think it would've been fixed by now. The view of Manhattan is nice but the views in the other directions are dismal at best, with a lot of orange construction tape in the bay on one side and JFK airport on the other. Overall, I can't believe this is actually a national park as I expect national parks to be something to be proud of. For comparison, Marine Park in Brooklyn, an NYC Park, also has a bird refuge and is in immaculate condition. True, it was protected from Sandy but it also doesn't have the full funding of the national government to support it in times of distress. Very disappointing. One ray of light however, the park ranger at the visitor center was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Two words to describe this place, beautiful and serene. The splendor of nature at its best. I truly believe that this is NYC's best kept secret. Scenic views of Manhattan, over many varieties of wildlife,predominantly birds. Perfect for birders,photographers,and family explorations. You can picnic in their parking lot,parking is free by the way. The Visitors Center is open everyday from 8:30am to 5:00pm. It has restrooms,a small gift shop, and extensive history of Jamaica Bay,and its wildlife. The people at the center were real nice and friendly. They do give out free permits to use the park. But you must obey the rules or else it will be revoked. So if you want to relax, get away from the hustle and bustle of the Concrete Jungle, than come here ,take a stroll, contemplate on life and breathe deeply. Woosah!

This wildlife refuge is definitely a pleasant surprise. The landscape, birds, geese, 2 ponds and plants make this place a must see. The park ranger at the visitor center is very friendly and helpful. The trails are unpaved with benches along them. I never even knew this place existed until only a few years ago. This place is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. You will never think you are actually in Queens, NY. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is a great place to visit for everyone.

I went here with a group of coworkers for an afternoon trip. It's a great little trip about 1-2 hours outside of the city (via subway, 30-60 min via car) depending where you're coming from. We enjoyed picnicking outside the visitors center and exploring two of the marked trails (you can grab a detailed map at the visitors center). The two main trails (labeled short and long at the trail head) are accessed via the visitors center rear. You can also cross the main road to access additional trails across the way. Logistically trails are open dawn to dusk and the visitors center is 8:30-5 daily. Pros: -accessible via public transport (A train to bus from rockaway blvd) -beautiful, air conditioned visitors center with clean restrooms and water fountains -helpful park rangers, they also offer many ranger tours and programs in addition to school offerings -picnic area with tables and some shade -free parking -mini gift shop and informational displays inside visitors center -trails are very easy to follow and well cared for, maps are also accurate -pretty spectacular views: bay, marsh, wetlands, pond, you'll even catch views of the skyline, airport and subway from some of the trails which creates a cool contrast with the otherwise very natural undisturbed setting. You'll feel pretty far from the city which is a good thing! -great spot for birders, many of the folks we encountered seemed to be here to look at the birds or to take photographs. They have over 300 species of birds living in this habitat which is pretty incredible. There's supposed to be a significant butterfly population but we did not see any when we visited (it was a HOT day so maybe that's why?) -trails have some signs along the way to explain various bird homes, etc -interesting plant life and berries along the paths Cons: -trails don't have a ton of shade -lots of bugs (many of us ended up with many bites despite using sunscreen) and tick signs are everywhere -beware of poison ivy! -bit of a trek from the city (via public transport), we were coming from near downtown brooklyn and it still took us well over an hour each way so keep that in mind -hurricane sandy destroyed one part of the walking loop which now means you can't complete the main circular loop (basically have to do two there and back walks to cover all of the main marsh area), not a huge deal but many prefer trails with a complete loop -not pet friendly Would recommend any nature or bird lovers check this out, perfect little day trip!

This wildlife refuge is a break from the city. I went with my boyfriend and we walked on a beautiful trail with swampy, woodsy, and then beachy areas. There is a unique view of the Manhattan skyline. Even though we visited in November, due to the heat wave, it was pleasant weather and we saw a lot of birds flying overhead. The visitors center is within walking distance from the subway (around 15-20 minutes) and they have information about different trails as well as water fountains and bathrooms. Enjoy the break from the concrete jungle!

Beautiful! We saw lots of monarch butterflies and the benches were convenient. You can rent binoculars for free as long as you leave an ID. It's also free admission, so it's great for families . The only downer is that there is no eating or picnicking allowed on the trail, but I imagine that's because people leave their trash behind. Lots of great stuff in the gift shop and very courteous staff.

Great place to sight birds. Feels like you're in a different world once you're inside the trail. It doesn't feel like you're right next to a highway....

A real wildlife refuge - not just a dinky little pond. Great views. Saw some interesting birds. Mostly just great for feeling your nowhere near NYC. Bring bug spray.

The inside look very nice and just by looking on the outside you would think other wise but its a good thing I look inside. There is a water fountain and bathroom just in case but I have to come back some other time and check out the inside more.

You're telling me you don't know the hours. They vary from season to season. Sunrise to sunset. Think of it as the opposite of Jim Butler - see Marine Air Terminal Review. With Butler at the helm, things always run sunset to sunrise. You want swans? Here, have a few. Geese? Take a gaggle off my hands. I have no use for them anymore. Cacti covers the ground. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge merges mother Nature with Mankind through the sublime. Sure, there are animals, insects, fowl and more flora and fauna than you can imagine. But it has something most national parks lack. Planes, trains, boats and automobiles. You see the cruisers lifting off from JFK. Boats in the distance from nearby Broad Channel. Trains power through the bay from godless Manhattan in search of paradise. And cars in the distance flying down scenic Cross Bay Boulevard. So if you go during an off day and the birds are underwhelming, look in the sky and watch planes instead. Sandy tried to defeat this park but couldn't. Nice try, jerk. There is more eye candy at this park than any strip club in the region.

The trails are well broken-in, fire trails but there are scenic spots here and there which are peaceful with a remote feel: If you squint your eyes you can pretend you're not in Queens. The center contains very little info on wildlife unfortunately but if parents are proactive with a bird book and binoculars, for instance, it can be a super fun educational experience.

I visited here before Hurricane Sandy and am disappointed to read on Yelp that part of the loop has not been rebuilt. But that aside, this is one of the more interesting and peaceful sites in NYC. In addition to the migrating birds who stop here, you really do feel you are on vacation away from the city! Just be sure to protect yourself from tics by keeping your socks over your pants and checking yourself when you get home. It's not easy to get here without a car, but you can bike or take the bus.

We have been meaning to check this place out for over a year since we moved to Rockaway. We thought, Labor Day weekend would be perfect. We checked the website, which is not user friendly at all, and it said we could bring our dog. Now, we knew some areas would be off limits to her and we were prepared for that but we barely got out of the parking lot before we were told she wasn't allowed at all by one official. We were about to turn around when a visiting couple said she was allowed on the trails. We thought, let's just go until someone tells us otherwise. The "trail" was completely fenced off - we couldn't even see where another trail might be and the official just kept saying "sorry." And this picnic area that others have written reviews about is a Hepatitis incident waiting to happen. Total waste, if you're not a bird watcher with a permit. Never again.

Since Hurricane Sandy, a few years ago, the nature trail experienced a breach, which, unfortunately, allowed too much sea water to flow freely and it turned the brackish ponds within into one huge salt water area. For a few years, the trail could not be traversed in its entirety because of the breach.. We went there today, unknowing that today was the first day that the entire trail was open. The views were terrific. Now, we have walked the nature trail for many years. However, although, trails within were nice and wide and fully graveled, there was no shade what-so-ever, save for only a couple of trees. The shade was so sparse that it was practically nonexistent. It's not the Park Service problem - they had to improve the trails. And the trees will grow and produce shade in the near future. It is, however a lovely place to visit, but today was a super-hot, sunny day, making the experience not a total success. I only mention this because some elderly, children or folks that can't take the heat and sun too much might find it a bit too much for them. So for now, if you are one of the aforementioned, please go and enjoy the spectacular nature views. Even with the heat and sun, it is easy to get to where they fixed the breach, and you can turn back, so that you don't get too much sun, for once you go on and go to far, there is no turning back. Also, if you are into walking at a good pace and sweating, then go for it. The trail itself is a couple of miles. Just walking through, you can smell the fragrant honeysuckle, and both see and hear the sounds of many birds. There weren't as many geese, swans, ducks and waterfowl, as in previous years, but it was still very well worth vising. PS, be sure to cross the road and visit the other trail - no gravel, just a nice place to go. There are a couple of ponds, well worth seeing.

This beautiful and fragile habitat is threatened by climate change. I've written a post about it here: http://blogs.journalism.cuny.edu/interactive2010/2009/09/29/a-new-plan-for-jamaica-bay-wildlife-refuge/

Nice wish we had more time. They are planting 10,000 native plant. What a daunting task

Beautiful, and convenient to Queens residents. We (two adults, two kids) hiked around the West Pond, then crossed over to the East Garden area -- saw more swans there than I ever saw in one place in my life. The rangers at the visitor center are terrifically friendly and helpful. After this we rented kayaks at Sunset Marina -- five minutes away (requires reservations).