2025 permits

The 2025 permit sale period has ended. Permits must be picked up by April 13, 2025. Times and places are listed below.

Permits 2025

The 2025 permit sales period has ended.

General Instructions for Recreation.gov:

Create an account on Recreation.gov.

Enter “Gateway National Recreation Area” in the search option.

Select the permit you wish to purchase.

Review the permit information and requirements in the Need to Know section.

Purchase the permit.

Bring the printed or digital receipt of purchase to receive the Vehicle Decal at the designated locations, dates, and times listed on recreation.gov.

Payment will not be accepted in person. You must pick up your permit in the unit you purchased it for.

Fishing Access Passes

The 2025 Fishing Access Passes are sold out.

What is the Fishing Access Pass?

• The Fishing Access Pass provides after-hours and parking access for Fishing at designated locations in the Jamaica Bay Unit, Sandy Hook Unit, and Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.

• Fishing Access Passes are not beach parking passes and are not valid for beach lot parking during fee collection hours and/or when Lifeguards are on duty.  

• Fishing Access Passes and Vehicle Decals are non-transferrable, and are void if altered or reproduced. 

• The Fishing Access Pass purchase is non-refundable.

• Replacements of Fishing Access Pass/Vehicle Decals are made on a case by case basis and require proof of original pass purchase and documentation of vehicle sale or vehicle accident.

• The Fishing Access Pass does not guarantee parking availability. For your safety, please remember that parking outside of designated areas is prohibited and visitors who park illegally may be fined and towed.

• You must be actively fishing at all times when using the Fishing Access Pass.

There will be ONLY one sale period. 2025 fishing permits are sold out.

The Fishing Access Pass is valid from time of issue through 3/31/26.

All Fishing Access Pass/Vehicle Decals MUST be picked up by April 13, 2025.

In order to receive your Fishing Access Pass/Vehicle Decal, bring a printed copy of your Recreation.gov purchase to the Pick-up locations, dates, and times listed in the Need to Know Section. Pick-up locations may have limited internet connection and we ask that you bring a printed copy or take a photo of the QR code with your phone.

The Fishing Access Pass/ Vehicle Decal must be affixed to the BUMPER on the vehicle associated with the Fishing Access Pass that was purchased.

The Fishing Access Pass does not guarantee parking availability. For your safety, please remember that parking outside of designated areas is prohibited and visitors who park illegally may be fined and towed.

You must be actively fishing while using the Fishing Access Pass. These passes are not valid for beach parking or for other recreational uses.

Vehicle Decal Pickup - Jamaica Bay Unit, Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field:

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays ONLY 10 am - 3 pm

Friday April 4,2025, Saturday April 5, 2025, Sunday April 6, 2025

Friday April 11,2025, Saturday April 12, 2025, Sunday April 13, 2025

Vehicle Decal Pickup - Staten Island Unit, Ranger Station, Miller Field and Fort Wadsworth options:

Saturdays and Sundays ONLY 10 am - 2 pm

Miller Field Ranger Station:

Saturday April 5, 2025

Saturday April 12, 2025

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

Sunday April 6, 2025

Sunday April 13, 2025

Vehicle Decal Pickup - Sandy Hook Unit, Light House Visitor Center:

Saturdays and Sundays ONLY 10:00AM - 4:00PM

Saturday April 5, 2025, Sunday April 6, 2025

Saturday April 12, 2025, Sunday April 13, 2025

Pass/Vehicle Decal pick-up schedules will also be posted at https://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/fishing.htm

If you primarily fish in the Sandy Hook Unit, the decal MUST be affixed to the front bumper. Failure to do so may result in a ticket.
If you primarily fish in the Staten Island Unit or Jamaica Bay Unit, the decal MUST be affixed to the rear bumper. Failure to do so may result in a ticket.

Where and when is the Fishing Access Pass required?

Sandy Hook Unit Fishing Access Pass - Locations for Parking and After-hours Access:

Required 9pm to 6am, Year-round:

Parking lots: B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, K, M, and Bayside lots B, C, and L, and Guardian Park lot

Staten Island Unit Fishing Access Pass - Locations for Parking and After-hours Access:

Required all times:

Crooke's Point; Harbor Rd, Great Kills Park

Required 9pm to 6am, Year-round:

• Hangar 38 gravel parking lot, Miller Field
• Hudson Rd and N. Carolina Rd, Fort Wadsworth
• Beach Center Parking lot, Great Kills Park

Jamaica Bay Unit Fishing Access Pass - Locations for Parking and After-hours Access:

Required all times:

• 222nd Street Fishing Parking Lot, Breezy Point
• 193rd Street Fishing Parking Lot, Fort Tilden
• Rockaway Point Yacht Club Road
• Riis Landing Parking Lot, Fort Tilden
• Aviation Road Parking Lot, Floyd Bennett Field

Required 9pm to 6am, Year-round:

• Raptor Point; Hangar B Apron, Floyd Bennett Field
• Bay 3 East Parking lot, Jacob Riis Park (May 15-Sept 15: No Fishing Access parking 6am-9pm)

Required 9pm to 6am, Year-round and No Parking 6am-9pm 3/15-9/15:

• 169th and Davis Rd parking area, Fort Tilden
• Required 9pm to 6am, 9/16-3/14:
• Shore Rd East, Fort Tilden (closed to all vehicular access from 3/15-9/15)

What do I need to know about fishing in Gateway NRA?

• Fishing Access Pass holders are required to adhere to NYSDEC/NJSDEC Marine Recreation Fishing Laws and Regulations.
• Anyone fishing within Gateway National Recreation Area must be in accordance with the regulations found in 36CFR 2.3, which adopts non-conflicting State of NY/NJ fishing regulations as part of these regulations. US Park Police, DEC Officers, United States Park Ranger-Law Enforcement, and NJ DEP Officers enforce fishing regulations within the park, which include size and take limitations on all regulated and protected species.
• Only Saltwater fishing is allowed within Gateway National Recreation Area. Fishing is prohibited in non-tidal waters to include all fresh waters in the park. Fishing is prohibited within 150 feet of posted shorebird nesting areas. The collection of shellfish within all park waters is prohibited.
• The following locations are closed to fishing and access:
• Jamaica Bay Unit: Dead Horse Bay- Floyd Bennett Field, Ranger Road- Floyd Bennett Field, Areas east of Marine Corps Reserve Center. Sandy Hook Unit: NJ Spermaceti Cove and The Holly Forest shoreline.
• Fishing and access is prohibited in all Interior fresh water ponds, such as Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge East and West fresh water Pond.
• Entering areas that are not under ownership of the NPS for any purpose, including fishing, is prohibited.

AREAS CLOSED FOR FISHING: Dead Horse Bay- Floyd Bennett Field, Ranger Road- Floyd Bennett Field, Areas east of Marine Corps Reserve Center. At Sandy Hook, NJ Spermaceti Cove, and The Holly Forest shoreline. All Interior fresh water ponds, such as Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge East and West fresh water Pond.

Questions about the Fishing Access Pass?

Gateway National Recreation Area Public Affairs: 718-815-3650

Sandy Hook Unit: 732-872-5970

Staten Island Unit: 718-351-6970

Jamaica Bay Unit: 718-758-3675

Off Road Vehicle Passes (4x4)

Off Road Vehicle Passes are sold out.

Gateway National Recreation Area, Jamaica Bay Unit issues passes for off-road vehicle access to help protect the park’s treasured resources. The Breezy Point Tip Off Road Vehicle (ORV) Pass for Fishing is a specialized pass necessary to access the sand road, sand lot and Breezy Point shoreline for the purpose of fishing only. These are available in limited numbers. A 4-wheel drive vehicle is required. All-wheel drive (ALW) vehicles are not recommended. Vehicles with 4-wheel drive and high clearance are best suited for off road driving due to the soft and sandy conditions. The ORV pass is also valid in other areas of the park where the fishing/parking pass is honored (paved lots only).

After purchase, schedule inspection and pick up your 2025 Breezy Point Tip ORV pass for fishing from the Ryan Visitor Center located at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn at your scheduled appointment time. You or your designee must bring the vehicle you wish to affix the decal to, along with the valid registration. Please assemble the necessary equipment in the back of the vehicle in such a way that all equipment is visible to the inspecting park staff member.

After the equipment is verified a staff member will issue your pass.

There is no access to the Breezy Point Tip between March 15 and September 15. All passholders must park at the sand lot or 222nd Street Lot during these times. The ORV Pass provides access to the Breezy Point Tip September 16th through March 14 and access to the Sand Lot at the end of the Access Road as well as after-hours and parking access for Fishing at designated locations in the Jamaica Bay Unit, Sandy Hook Unit, and Staten Island Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area.

The ORV Fishing Access Pass is valid from time of issue through 3/31/26.

In order to receive your ORV Fishing Access Vehicle Decal, bring a printed copy of your Recreation.gov purchase to your Pick-up date, and time to the Ryan Visitor Center. Pick-up location may have limited internet connection, and we ask that you bring a printed copy or take a photo of the QR code with your phone.

The ORV Decal must be affixed to the Right Rear BUMPER on the vehicle associated with the ORV pass that was purchased.

The ORV Fishing Access Pass does not guarantee parking availability. Please remember that parking outside of designated areas is prohibited and visitors who park illegally may be fined and or towed.

You and your passengers must be actively fishing while using the ORV Fishing Access Pass. The passes are not Beach Parking passes or for other recreational uses.

ORV passes are non-transferable and are void if altered or reproduced.

Floyd Bennett Field Archery Passes

How do I Purchase the Archery Pass?

2025 Archery passes are sold out. Passes must be picked up by April 13, 2025. 
The Archery Range Pass is valid from time of issue through 11/30/25.  

What is the FBF Archery Pass?

The pass provides access to the Archery Range at Floyd Bennett Field, Jamaica Bay Unit, Gateway National Recreation Area. The Archery Range at Floyd Bennett Field features 10 lanes with targets, a shade structure with bow racks, a secure perimeter, and a north orientation. 

How do I receive the Archery Range Pass/Identification Tag?

To receive your Archery Range Pass/Identification tag, bring a printed copy or digital version of your Recreation.gov purchase to the location, dates, and times listed.

Archery Range Pass/Identification Tag pickup times:

 Jamaica Bay Unit, Ryan Visitor Center, Floyd Bennett Field:   

Starting Friday, March 14

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only 

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Friday, April 4/Saturday, April 5/Sunday April 6

Friday, April 11/Saturday, April 12/Sunday April 13

Archery Range Pass/Identification tags are only available for pickup during the above listed times.

Need to Know Information

• You must be 18 years of age or older to obtain an Archery Pass/Identification Tag.

• The Archery Pass/Identification Tag is non-transferrable, not replaceable for any reason, and is void if altered or reproduced. The Archery Pass purchase is non-refundable.

• In order to receive your Archery Identification Tag, bring a printed version of your Recreation.gov pruchase to the locations, dates and times listed in your confirmation email and this pass. Due to limited internet connection, we ask that you bring a printed copy or take a phone of the QR code with your phone.

• The Floyd Bennett Field Archery range is open from 6am to dusk daily, on a first-come, first-served basis. This range is for target practice only. Shooting at wildlife or objects other than the practice target are prohibited. 

• Only compound and traditional bows with target field tip arrows are permitted on the range. Crossbows, Judo Points and Hunting tips are prohibited. 

• Loaded bows are permitted at the shoot line only and pointed down range at all times. No shooting accross lanes. 

• An annual pass is required to use the archery range, Identification tags must be visible at all times while using the range.

• Parking is located adjacent to the Archery Range. Parking is permitted on paved surfaces only. Parking on grass is strictly prohibited. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all times. Balloons are prohibited in the park

Great Kills Boat Launch Passes

What is the Great Kills Park Boat Launch Parking Pass?

• The Boat Launch Parking Pass is required to park in the designated Boat Launch Parking Lot at Great Kills Park, Staten Island Unit.   

• The Boat Launch Parking Pass is available for purchase online only through Recreation.gov from 3/1/25 through 3/31/25. The sale period for boat launch parking passes is over. Parking Passes are valid from issue date until November 30, 2025.

• The Boat Launch season is from 4/1/25 until 11/30/25.  

Boat Launch Parking Lot Regulations:

• A boat trailer must be attached to your vehicle within the Boat Launch Parking Lot.  

• Boat Launch parking is limited to 24 hours per visit.  

• Commercial activity is prohibited.  

• Personal watercraft, such as jet-skis, kayaks, canoes, or any other personal watercraft are prohibited at the Boat Launch Parking Lot at Great Kills Park.   

How do I receive the Boat Launch Parking Pass Vehicle Decal?

Bring a printed copy or digital version of your Recreation.gov purchase to the following location, dates, and times listed:

Staten Island Unit,

Miller Field Visitor Contact Station:

• Saturday April 5, 2025

• Saturday April 12, 2025

Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center

• Sunday April 6, 2025

• Sunday April 13, 2025