Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge
Queens, New York City
Jamaica Bay is a birder's paradise, one of the largest and best known wildlife viewing areas in the New York City and Long Island region. Witness the annual mating ritual of hundreds of primitive horseshoe crabs, or photograph one
of the more than 330 species of birds seen in this beach, bay and islands wilderness.
Wildlife to Watch
- Migrating raptors, including ospreys, hawks
- Barn, short-eared and saw-whet owls
- Waterbirds, including glossy ibis, egrets, herons, laughing gulls
- Many varieties of ducks, geese, warblers, songbirds
- Diamondback terrapins, other native reptiles and amphibians
- Horseshoe crabs and a wide variety of other shell and finfish
Where to Watch
- Salt marsh, freshwater and brackish ponds
- Upland woods and fields
- Beach, open water and bay islands
Recreational Opportunities
- Wheelchair-accessible visitor center with exhibits and interpretive programs
- Five miles of trails
- Observation blinds
- Guided nature tours, cruises
Accessible Features
This site has accessible features that include a visitors center. A full list of DEC's accessible recreation destinations is available on the DEC website.
Size
9,155 acres
Closest Town
Queens
Directions
See Google Maps and enter your address for step by step directions to Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (This link will leave the DEC website. Hold "Shift" down while clicking on the link to open in a new window)
Contact Information
Telephone: 718-318-4340
Website: Things To Do - Jamaica Bay (link leaves DEC website)
Photo Credits: Lee Karney, USFWS; National Park Service