Field guide
Riverside Park hours, trail details, and parking
Find official information for running or hiking in Riverside Park. Learn about the 6-mile parkland trail, daily hours from 6am to 1am, and rules.
Riverside Park is a 6-mile stretch of public parkland. It extends from West 59th Street to 181st Street and contains areas for active recreation.
This page provides official information for runners and hikers. It covers the park's layout, hours, facilities, and general rules for use.
Official facts at a glance
- 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
- Dog rules in passive areas
- No dogs allowed in four passive recreation areas.
- Rules in passive areas
- No dogs, no radios, and no team sports allowed in four passive recreation areas.
- Passive recreation areas
- Four areas: Linda’s Lawn (66th Street), South Lawn (73rd – 75th Street), North Lawn (80th – 82nd Street), Sakura Park (122nd Street).
- General features
- Includes 36 active recreation points, 3 dining options, 6 pet-friendly areas, 22 monuments, 35 points of interest, and 16 playgrounds.
Sources: Home (riversideparknyc.org), Park FAQs (riversideparknyc.org). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
The park route and facilities
The park's main route covers 6 miles, running between West 59th Street and 181st Street. For convenience, there are 15 restrooms located within the park.
Along the route, visitors will find 36 active recreation points, 6 pet-friendly areas, and 16 playgrounds. The park also contains 22 monuments and 35 points of interest.
Hours of operation
Riverside Park is open to the public every day from 6am to 1am. Visitors planning early morning or late evening activities should be aware of these official hours.
Park rules and permits
Specific rules apply to the four passive recreation areas: Linda’s Lawn, South Lawn, North Lawn, and Sakura Park. No dogs, radios, or team sports are allowed in these zones.
Permits are required for certain activities. This includes organized sports, most events, and any gathering of 20 or more people. A waiver is necessary to use the skate park, and tennis courts require a permit or pass between April and November.
Before you go
- The park is open daily from 6am to 1am.
- There are 15 restrooms available for public use.
- Dogs are prohibited in the four designated passive recreation areas.
- A permit is needed for any group gathering of 20 or more people.
- Using the tennis courts between April and November requires a permit or pass.
- Access to the skate park requires a completed waiver.
Nearby options: running and active spots in New York City. All cities: City running and hiking guides.