Review Highlights
“Love going here - not quite as crowded as Coney Island and you can walk up the beach west toward Rockaway to find some privacy.” in 15 reviews
“The vibe is typically easy, fun, relaxed.” in 2 reviews
“Ahh, no street peddlers to disturb nature and the calm desire to relax, therefore no garbage or debris on the beach, boardwalk or streets.” in 20 reviews
Location & Hours
Far Rockaway, NY 11694
Mon |
| Open now |
|---|---|---|
Tue |
| |
Wed |
| |
Thu |
| |
Fri |
| |
Sat |
| |
Sun |
|
You Might Also Consider
in Fishing
in Boating, Boat Charters
Amenities and More
Ask the Community
Q:
Is it legal to have a bonfire?
A:
Q:
Does anyone know how long $10 parking is suspended for?
A:
People also searched for
Recommended Reviews
Overall rating
154 reviews
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Nicole D.New York, NY22391275Aug 12, 2017This is the first NYC beach I've been to and I was pleased with the beach and amenities. Before this, I had only been to beaches in the tri-state area on Long Island. I had read that Jacob Riis Park (The People's Beach) is not as crowded as Rockaway or Coney Island so I wanted to check it out. I went during the summer on an off-peak day so it was not crowded at all. Plenty of beach area to choose a spot to settle on.
The center of the beach has the Riis Park Beach Bazaar with some pretty decent food options that's better than the typical burger and hot dog. So, that's pretty convenient. If you prefer to bring your own drinks & food, make sure to stock up before you get to the park. There are no stores right by this park.
I've been to a couple more NYC beaches since and I like this one the best so far. Because it is part of the National Park Service, the beach is a little cleaner than some of the others. A friend who goes to the Hamptons a lot saw a video and asked where it was.
There are a number of ways to get to this beach, the cheapest being MTA transit. I took the 2 train and transferred to the Q35 bus that drops off directly at the beach/park. But it's a small bus so it can get crowded with everyone and their beach gear. And it can feel like a long wait for the bus. For me, it was a long trip door-to-beach but it would be about the same amount of time I'd spend to get to Penn Station and take LIRR out to a Long Island beach which costs more. Unlike Long Beach, there's no fee to enter the park/beach. There is a parking fee if you drive though.
Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0- Syd S.San Francisco, CA011May 5, 2024
I personally love this beach and I come here all the time. I went with my friends just last week, and thus, finally decided to write this review. Jacob Riis Park is a place to hang out and relax in a calm, breezy, judgment-free setting. It doesn't feel like New York given its distance from buildings and the fresh, open air, but it very much resembles NYC in the diversity of it its crowd. For some it's an LGBTQIA haven, while for others, it's just some paradise away from the hustle and bustle. Either way, I highly recommend it.
You just have to see for yourself!
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Dec 30, 2023
I really enjoy this beach area during the off season (winter) It's so quiet and peaceful with miles of walkable beach.
I definitely don't love it in the summer when it's packed and it costs 20$ to park in the lot but, when it's free and deserted this is a prime beach spot!
Helpful 0Thanks 1Love this 0Oh no 0 - Aug 3, 2023
Took a drive out to Jacob Riis Park with my girl's on a weekday afternoon. Had a great time. The beach is really clean and was not crowded at all. The restrooms are well kept and beach patrol rides around in their truck to make sure that beach goers are safe and unbothered without being pests about it.
Riis is the beach of my childhood and as I've become an adult, it's nice to see that conditions here have continued to improve over time.
Didn't spot any shark fins in the water and there's plenty of parking in the beach's huge lot.
Helpful 3Thanks 1Love this 6Oh no 0 - Aug 15, 2023Updated review
2023 Update-
Still the cleanest and most spacious free entry beach in the NYC area! August water temperature 78°F- great for a hot summer day.
Getting Here-
Ferry ride from Wall St 1.5hrs or Brooklyn Army Terminal now $4, departing hourly during the week in the summer with long lines or a premium VIP reserved time ticket for $10, and can be purchased in the NYC Ferry App or at the terminal kiosks. Free shuttle bus waiting at the Ferry terminal takes you to the Camp Rockaway drop off which is under construction right now. Walk over to the Jacob Riis Pavillion for the open restrooms, services, and concessions.
Subway $2.75, 1.5hrs from Manhattan is on the A train to the S and then grab a bus that heads to Jacob Riis (or just check your maps for recommendations).
Drive and pay $20-$50 for parking depending on your vehicle size.
Concessions and bathrooms available at the Jacob Riis Pavillion- which is a 10min walk or so from the bus and shuttle stop.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0Sep 2, 2018Previous review2018- Updated Transportation Options! More concession options! This is now one of the best AND least expensive beaches to visit in the New York area!
How We Got Here:
$2.75 Ferry from Wall St Pier - Woot! Thanks MTA!
Ferries departed every 20 minutes or so leaving from Wall St Pier. Every other Ferry offered express service, we happened to be on the one that made a second stop along the way and the total ride took about 70min. Right off the Ferry there are FREE shuttles- hop on the one headed to Jacob Riis and just ride it until what feels like the end turn-around.
Concessions:
The new concessions this year were a Crab Cake Stand, a Hot Dog & Grilled Sandwich Stand, and the oh so famous Ample Hills Ice Cream Stand. Also, there's a frozen drink option for $7 if you just want the icy fruity drink but not the drunk.
What Else? Rockaway! A Moma Art Exhibit
Fort Tilden is about a 20min walk along the beach, but if you're an art lover, it's a great bonus on your trip to the Rockaways. This year the exhibit was a retrospective of Yayoshi Kusama's Narcissis Garden.Aug 28, 2016Previous reviewHow I got here from Manhattan:
$30 Round Trip Ferry from Pier 11 @ Wall St at 9am - settled in and relaxing on the beach by 11am. Apparently there's subway & bus service, but a cruise on the water is so much more pleasant in the summer. If I were with 4 people, I might rent a car and pay the $10 parking.
Arriving:
When arriving by Ferry, you enter the Fort Tilden Park area first, where there are proper bathrooms closer to the road, then a football field distance walk across sports fields, a sand dune entrance and paved walk, and Port-a-Potties closer to the sand. (See pics for this entrance point.)
Beach:
If you brought your own umbrella and provisions- you'd probably be fine just parking yourself in the Fort Tilden beach area. However, if you need/want things- like a $20 umbrella (or $15 to rent), drinks, and food, you'll be better off waking to the water and turning left to get to the Jacob Riis Beach facilities.
Sand & Water:
The sand is light colored soft sand, and easy to walk on. The Riis beach is very clean, with hardly any shells and no seaweed or foam near the surf (at this writing.) The water is cold, with medium sized waves for a good 100ft out into the water, with the depth mostly below 4ft where there are waves (obviously you can watch people as they head into the water to gauge it when you're here.)
Amenities:
Once you're in the Riis Beach area, there's a cement boardwalk with several vendors along the sides (hats, towels, umbrellas, drinks, bikes, food), bathroom and changing rooms in the brick buildings, along with picnic tables, a few hammocks in the sun, and a stage for live music.
Concessions:
As has been said in other reviews- not the cheap hot dog & fries kind of concessions- more like a Smorgasburg gourmet selection with most food items ranging between $5 for hand cut fries to $16 for smoked brisket. I spied a super tasty and cooling strawberry margarita - and it was $20 *ouch*. What they don't charge in beach fees, they make up in concession rent.
Return:
You could take the bus to the train, or try to uber, but if you decide to take the Ferry, it's $20 one way if you didn't get a return in advance. The Ferry dock is to the left of the large Rockaway Bridge as you look at Brooklyn. You can take the cement walk out toward the Manhattan skyline, turn left at the end down a pedestrian/bike path, and it takes you to the bus stop, or cross the street for the Ferry just a bit further down by the National Park Ft. Tilden signs.
Tons of photos shared- check them out and let me know if this was helpful! - Jul 5, 2023
Jacob Riis is an excellent beach to go to if you know what to expect beforehand. Located west of Rockaway Beach, it is in a secluded area and only easily accessible with a car. If you looking for a very quiet beach with barely any people around, this is the spot.
However, if you are looking for a beach with a busy boardwalk, restaurants or even street vendors, you will find none of that here. Luckily, if you come by car, those things are quickly reached by going east towards Rockaway Beach.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jul 26, 2022Updated review
Beach is super quiet today as it's a cloudy, not blistering hot, day.
On trips like this I love listening to the ocean with my feet in the warm sand.
Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0Jul 1, 2022Previous reviewThis beach is the only beach I go to in NYC anymore.
Pretty accesible via busses if you lack a car.
During the week and off season the beach is super quiet. During the weekends prepare to join the party with most people playing their music packed onto each other in true NYC fashion. Def recommend getting to the beach early on prime days to secure a spot.
Very welcoming and friendly vibes from fellow beach goers coupled with a clean beach is a winning combination. Tons of trash cans on the boardwalk so people are respectful and don't litter.
Unfortunately two dudes isn't open- I'm obsessed with their fries.
Towards the left side of the beach there is lots of beautiful queer people and topless women as it should be. - Jun 11, 2020
I visited Jacob Riis Park during the Covid-19 semi-closure - so it was quite a different experience than most of the reviews! Here's what's different (in the meantime)
+Parking is free! There was no attendant, and parking wasn't 'ample' but manageable
+No shops or food are open- bring your own picnic!
+It's a Covid-19 rule that you aren't allowed to swim, and it seemed most everyone followed this
+based on the crowds last weekend, you're still able to safely social distance while laying on the beach. It's busy, but not insane
This definitely isn't the typical beachy summer experience, but I still enjoyed breathing fresh salty air and relaxing in the sun.
Helpful 17Thanks 0Love this 13Oh no 0 
Dominik D.Shreveport, LA321595711116Jun 9, 2022This is quiet a trek for most New Yorkers. There is certainly a reason to come an enjoy the untethered Atlantic here.
Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0
You Might Also Consider
in Ziplining, Rafting/kayaking, Paintball
in Fishing, Whale Watching Tours, Boat Tours
