Nearly nine million people visit Gateway National Recreation Area as their “gateway” to a national park experience in the New York metropolitan area. The park’s 26,000 acres extend across two states (New York and New Jersey) and three boroughs of New York City: Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens. From beaches to salt marshes to military and aviation history, Gateway is your gateway to fun. 

This photo was taken by Mark A. Costa two weeks before Hurricane Sandy of Horseshoe Cove at Sandy Hook.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers year-round recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, photography, picnicking and sightseeing. It is also home to thousands of desert plants and animals, adapted to survive where rain is scarce and temperatures can soar.

Photo: National Park Service 

Tomorrow is National Trails Day, when hundreds of organized activities – including hikes, educational programs, bike rides, trail rehabilitation projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications – will take place around the country. A listing of activities is available here.

This photo is from Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. We hope you’ll be able to get out and enjoy America’s great outdoors this weekend!

Photo: National Park Service