Camp Gateway Brooklyn Ny

Show on map718-338-3799jennifer_bethea@nps.gov
Floyd Bennett Field, RYAN VISITOR CENTER
Brooklyn, NY 11234

Overview

There's no other campground in the world where a family can sleep under the stars, tour the Statue of Liberty, watch a Broadway musical and kayak in one of the world's premier bird migration sanctuaries-all in one trip. Camp Gateway provides a tranquil outdoor experience right outside the nation's most lively and iconic metropolis- New York City.

Located in Floyd Bennet Field in Brooklyn, New York, the campground offers an outdoor escape for hiking, biking, birding and historic tours of airports and forts.Ranger-led programs are available all summer.

Recreation

History buffs can visit Civil War-era forts, restored historic aircraft or Nike missile sites. Nature lovers can stroll wooded paths, watch for birds and horseshoe crabs or simply relax. Horseback riding, kayaking and archery are also options.

Facilities

Public bus transportation takes campers to a subway station for easy access around the New York City metro area. Camp Gateway is open April - October and offers tent and RV camping. Generators are permitted during limited hours at RV sites only. Dump Station is available.

Natural Features

Gateway National Recreation Area exists within one of the most urbanized areas of the country, covering 26,000 acres of New Jersey and three New York City boroughs. Among the urban environment, the park boasts grasslands, woodlands, sand dunes, beaches, ponds, salt marshes and forests. Camp Gateway is in the woodland habitat of Floyd Bennet Field.

Nearby Attractions

Biking trails weave through Fort Tilden, with a military history that dates back to the War of 1812.

Birders should try the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge with 300 species of migratory birds, with willets and green herons in spring and summer, or osprey and black crowned night herons year-round.

If the big city beckons, head to Riis Landing for seasonal ferry rides to Manhattan. Call for information.

Camp site features

Across 53 camp sites:

  • Fire pit: 36 of 53 sites
  • Picnic table: 52 of 53 sites
  • ADA accessible: 22 of 53 sites
  • Longest RV: 50 ft
  • Largest party: 6 people

Directions

Public Transportation: Take the Q35 bus to the Flatbush Avenue/Ryan Visitor Center stop. Enter the park through the pedestrian gate and walk around the right side of the Visitor Center. Keep walking east for approximately 1 mile to the camp grounds. Passenger vehicles: Take the Belt Parkway to exit 11S, Flatbush Avenue South. Proceed approximately one mile south to the main entrance of Floyd Bennett Field on the left (the last traffic light before the Gil Hodges Memorial Toll Bridge.) Make a LEFT turn at the light. Follow directions below. RV Campers/Commerical vehicles: From Eastern Long Island (North Shore): Take I-495 West (Long Island Expressway) to I-278 West (Brooklyn Queens Expressway). Exit at Tillary Street (Exit 29). Make left at second traffic light onto Flatbush Avenue South. Stay on Flatbush Avenue approximately 10 miles until just before the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. Make a left turn at the last traffic light before the bridge to enter Floyd Bennett Field. After turning into Floyd Bennett Field make the first left turn and then the next right turn. Campground check-in is 1 mile ahead on the right. From Central New Jersey: Take I-95 to Exit 13 (Goethels Bridge - toll). Cross bridge to I-278 East (Brooklyn Queens Expressway). Exit at Atlantic Avenuue (Exit 27). Stay right onto Atlantic Avenue. Take Atlantic Avenue to Flatbush Avenue. Make a right onto Flatbush Avenue southbound. Stay on Flatbush Avenue approximately 10 miles until just before the Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge. Make left at last traffic light before bridge to enter Floyd Bennett Field. After turning into Floyd Bennett Field make the first left turn and then the next right turn. Campground check-in is 1 mile ahead on the right.

Stay Limit

Check in from 12 PM, check out by 10 AM.

Reviews

20 reviews
5 stars
10
4 stars
7
1 stars
3
Timothy R
Loop:Goldenrod
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Lovely outing, great campsites. We were focused on test-driving our bike-packing setups, so we didn't get to explore much further but would definitely like to go back! That said, the nearby museum of aeronautics is awesome!
Matthew B
Loop:Goldenrod
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Awesome time, there were a lot more mosquitos than we expected, plan accordingly
Joseph M
Loop:Tamarack
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Camping in late October was perfect. It wasn't too hot and the mosquitos were not out. Barbecuing was great and playing on the grass with the kids during this weather was amazing. The camp site was clean and the other campers were really nice. The only thing to worry about was the raccoons that raided our food but that was our fault. Just make sure to keep your stuff locked up. Bathrooms and showers were clean too. I will definitely return next year with my kids.
ciro b
Loop:Goldenrod
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
There are more Cons than Pros. Pros: Campground in Brooklyn. Fishing nearby Camp store? Cons: Camp store( so many things to say, there was a note on the door middle of the day around 4pm saying “Doing rounds” I searched the whole campground no one was around at all. When they are open everything is over priced including the wood which you are forced to purchase if you want a fire, that’s right you cannot gather wood you must buy it from them. Grounds: The grounds were overgrown and unmaintained. The grounds themselves are possible smaller than the park with swings slides and grass in your own neighborhood, the size of a average city park. The park is located in an old air strip but is all grass It is directly next to a rode that is used heavily at all times of day. The rodes of the airstrip are also used at all times of day, cars can be heard wizzing by all times of night, the grounds themselves are 1 foot from the rode of the strip. Mosquitos everywhere(expected).Raccoons, a whole pack surprised me when I put out the fire they all popped up one after another, had to chase them off. Fire pit was filthy and Hadn’t been cleaned in a very, very, very long tim, same for the grill. The biggest cons about this campground 1)Anyone can walk up the campground in the middle of the night. The grounds itself usually is not manned at least the 2 times I have been there at night. 2) Yo do not get what you pay for, it’s unmaintained , understaffed, inconsistent, money gouge (30+ dollars for the stay and then have to buy wood really?) 3)Noise , air traffic, helicopters, races all through the day, all through the night heard everywhere in the park. Overall this is not worth 30 dollars , 40 if you include the wood. It’s really a shame. Go to Harriman state park, 45 minutes from the city , go camp for free.
Eric C
Loop:Tamarack
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
Great place for a night out of the city IN the city! Staff is helpful, facilities are clean, and there is lots to see and do. Took my young children there for an overnight and they loved it.
Erdni K
Loop:Tamarack
Site:
Reviewed 7 years ago
mosqitoes! Had to leave right away in about 10 minutes we spent there every single person had 10+ bites.
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Busiest in November, when about 0% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 2 years of reservations.

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