Field guide
Running routes in NYC: Central, Hudson River, and Riverside Parks
Find practical information on running routes in NYC. Details on Central Park's tracks, Hudson River Park's four-mile path, and Riverside Park.
New York City offers several large parks with distinct options for runners. Central Park provides structured running facilities, including a dedicated soft-surface track and a long paved loop for different types of workouts.
For longer, continuous runs, Hudson River Park and Riverside Park offer linear routes along the water. Hudson River Park is a four-mile path through multiple neighborhoods, while Riverside Park contains six miles of parkland.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Park | 1.58-mile; 6.1 miles | Many open from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm | Soft surface made of crushed gravel; Paved |
| Hudson River Park | Not listed | 24 hours, 7 days a week | Not listed |
| Riverside Park | 6 miles | 6am-1am daily | Not listed |
Central Park
The Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track is a 1.58-mile loop with a soft, crushed gravel surface. It is for runners only, as bikes and dogs are not allowed. The track is one-way, and users must run counterclockwise. There are no restrooms located at the track itself.
A longer option is the 6.1-mile paved loop on the Park Drives. Runners and walkers have a dedicated lane on the far left side of the drives. The larger park has 20 restrooms, many open from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm, and dozens of water fountains.
- Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track location
- Mid-Park between 86th and 96th
- Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track loop length
- 1.58-mile
- Longest loop in the Park (Paved Drives)
- 6.1 miles
- Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track surface
- Soft surface made of crushed gravel
- Park Drives surface
- Paved
- Park restroom hours
- Many open from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm
- Group running permit
- Permit required for groups of more than 20 runners
- Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track restrooms
- No restrooms
Sources: Stephanie and Fred Shuman Running Track (centralparknyc.org), Running Guide (centralparknyc.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Central Park running loops and official park facts
Hudson River Park
This park is a four-mile route that spans six New York City neighborhoods. The path accommodates multiple activities, including bicycling. The park also contains dog parks.
Pier 40, a large mixed-use pier within the park, has a 24-hour self-park parking garage. Bike share stations are available at Pier 40 and Pier 79 for public use.
- Pier 40 description
- mixed-use commercial/recreation pier
- Spans neighborhoods
- six New York City neighborhoods
- Park length
- four miles
- Pier 40 Parking garage hours
- 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Pier 40 Parking type
- transient and monthly parking
- Pier 40 Parking operation
- 100% self-park
- Pier 40 Parking assistance
- On-site assistance available
- Dog facilities
- Dog Parks
Sources: Parking at Pier 40 (hudsonriverpark.org), hudsonriverpark.org (hudsonriverpark.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is six miles of parkland running from West 59th Street to 181st Street. The park is open daily from 6am to 1am and contains 15 restrooms. It includes 36 active recreation points, monuments, and points of interest.
There are four designated passive recreation areas, including Linda’s Lawn and Sakura Park. These areas have specific rules: no dogs, no radios, and no team sports are allowed.
- Type of place
- parkland
- Parkland extent
- from West 59th Street to 181st Street
- Parkland length
- 6 miles
- Park hours
- 6am-1am daily
- Permit for events/gatherings
- Required for most events, concerts, organized sports, and gatherings of 20 or more.
- Tennis permits
- Seasonal tennis permits or single play passes required between April and November.
- Skate Park waiver
- Waiver required to use the Riverside Park Skate Park.
- Number of restrooms
- 15
Sources: Home (riversideparknyc.org), Park FAQs (riversideparknyc.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: Riverside Park hours, trail details, and parking
Before you go
- Check park hours before an early run. Riverside Park opens at 6am, and many Central Park restrooms open at 6:30 am.
- A permit is required for running groups of more than 20 people in both Central Park and Riverside Park.
- Some paths have specific rules. The Central Park running track is one-way and does not allow dogs or bikes.
- Central Park has dozens of water fountains, but only seven operate year-round.
- For Hudson River Park, 24-hour self-park parking with on-site assistance is available at Pier 40.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.