At the entrance to the New York/New Jersey estuary, two arms of land stretch across the water forming a natural gateway to the nation's greatest port. It is from this "gate" that the Gateway National Recreation Area takes its name.

Established on October 27, 1972 as America's first urban national park, Gateway provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors in the Eastern United States' most densely populated area.

Divided into three areas across two states, the park extends from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, through Staten Island, New York and into the Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Peninsula areas of Brooklyn and Queens, New York.

Visitors to these areas can explore a wildlife refuge, historic forts and airfields, extensive beach recreation areas, and cultural treasures that include the nation's oldest operating lighthouse, New York City's first municipal airport, and the oldest military site in the nation.

• Sandy Hook Unit -

• Explore the wildlife refuge or any of the forts and airfields which are historic national treasures.
• Escape from one of America's most densely populated, most chaotic areas, to an estuarine, fertile greenway.