The Outdoors · New York City
Staten Island has 2,800 acres of woods and trails in its middle
The Staten Island Greenbelt is a huge connected forest in the center of the borough, with miles of color-marked hiking trails open dawn to dusk.
Published June 21, 2026 · Last verified June 21, 2026
The Staten Island Greenbelt puts about 2,800 acres of forest, wetland, and parkland in the middle of the borough. High Rock Park, LaTourette Park, Willowbrook Park, and the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge are all stitched together by trails.
The paths are marked by color. The Blue Trail climbs over Todt Hill, a high natural point on the Atlantic coast between Maine and Florida. The Yellow, Red, and White trails wind through the woods and ponds, and you can stitch routes together for a short stroll or a long day on foot.
That connected middle changes the borough map. Staten Island has ferry terminals, town centers, beaches, and expressways, but it also has a real trail system tucked between neighborhoods.
The parks are open every day, dawn to dusk, and trails are free. Stop at the Greenbelt Conservancy headquarters at 200 Nevada Avenue for a printed trail map, or download one before you go. Wear real shoes; some stretches are rooty and hilly, which is part of the surprise in the middle of New York City.
Where to see it
Start at the Greenbelt Conservancy / High Rock Park headquarters at 200 Nevada Avenue, Staten Island, where you can pick up a trail map. Trails are free and open dawn to dusk year-round. From the St. George ferry you can reach the Greenbelt by local bus. Grab the color-coded map first so you can match a route to how far you want to walk.