Pelham Bay Park is New York City’s largest park — 2,772 acres of woodlands, salt marsh, golf courses, hiking trails, a 13-mile saltwater shoreline, and the only public beach in the Bronx. It is more than three times the size of Central Park, yet most New Yorkers outside the East Bronx have never set foot in it. This is the resident’s service hub for everything you actually need before you go: addresses, hours, restrooms you can count on, parking realities, permits, dog rules, accessibility, and the right numbers to call when something is broken.
Address, boundaries, and how to get there
Pelham Bay Park sits in the northeast corner of the Bronx, bordered by the Hutchinson River Parkway, Long Island Sound, the Westchester County line, and the Eastchester Bay shoreline. The Administrator’s Office (the practical “front door” for residents with questions) is reached at (718) 430-1891 or pbadministration@parks.nyc.gov. The official park page on NYC Parks is the authoritative source for any facility change.
The 6 train terminates at Pelham Bay Park station on the park’s southern edge. The Bx29 connects the station to Orchard Beach in summer; the Bx12 SBS runs along Pelham Parkway to the park’s western boundary.
Hours
Per NYC Parks Rule §1-03 (General Provisions), all parks — including Pelham Bay — are open daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM unless posted otherwise. Specific facilities (playgrounds, dog areas, Orchard Beach) carry their own posted hours, listed below.
Ranger contact and how to reach a real person
For nature programs, school groups, and ranger-led walks, the citywide Urban Park Rangers line is (212) 360-2774, or dial 311 and ask for Urban Park Rangers. For day-to-day park operations questions (closures, conditions, capital projects), call the Pelham Bay Administrator’s Office at (718) 430-1891.
Current closures you need to know before you drive out
Two notable facilities are not operating right now. Confirm both before planning a trip:
- Pelham Bay Nature Center — currently closed to the public per the official Pelham Bay Park Nature Centers page. Use Urban Park Rangers for nature programming until reopening.
- Orchard Beach Pavilion — the historic Aymar Embury II pavilion has been under reconstruction and is targeted for reopening for the summer 2026 season per NYC Parks press release 22285. Confirm before planning weddings or large events.
Restrooms — where they are and how reliable they are
According to the official park restroom page, Pelham Bay’s public restrooms include:
- Park Drive Cul-de-Sac / Orchard Beach area — primary restroom near the beach circle.
- Playground For All Children — at Bruckner Expressway and Buhre Avenue. Wheelchair-accessible.
- Orchard Beach Pavilion North Women’s restroom — wheelchair-accessible per the restroom record, but tied to pavilion reopening.
NYC Parks notes most public restrooms run 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, with seasonal extensions during beach season. Plan accordingly — if you are hiking the Kazimiroff Nature Trail late in the day, the restrooms near the trailhead may already be locked.
Parking — street, lot, and the Orchard Beach fee
Pelham Bay Park is unusual among NYC parks because it has actual dedicated lots, not just neighborhood street parking.
- Orchard Beach lot — large paved lot. During beach season (Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day), a parking fee applies. Outside beach season, parking is free. Confirm current fees with the Administrator’s Office at (718) 430-1891 before you arrive.
- Bartow Circle and trailhead pull-offs — limited free parking near hiking trails and the Bartow-Pell Mansion area.
- Street parking — available along Bruckner Boulevard and surrounding residential streets near the Pelham Bay Park 6 train station; obey posted alternate-side rules.
Permits — what requires one and how to apply
Pelham Bay’s size means residents regularly want to host gatherings here, but the rules are specific. Per the citywide NYC Parks permits portal:
- Athletic fields and courts — must be reserved via the NYC Parks permits portal.
- Picnics and gatherings of more than 20 people — require a Special Events Permit. For the Bronx, the office is (718) 430-1848.
- Weddings and ceremonies — require a Special Events Permit; apply at least 21 to 30 days in advance via the permits portal.
- BBQ at designated areas — barbecuing is allowed in designated areas at Orchard Beach (North and South Picnic Areas); grills must stay 10+ feet from any structure, and no open, ground, or camp fires are permitted. Groups under 20 do not need a permit to BBQ in a designated area, but the area is first-come, first-served.
Dog rules and off-leash hours
From the park-specific dog areas page:
- Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times outside designated off-leash areas.
- In designated off-leash areas, dogs are permitted off-leash from park open until 9:00 AM and from 9:00 PM until park close.
- Dogs are prohibited from playgrounds, athletic fields, and Orchard Beach itself. A specific on-leash dog map is published as a PDF on the park’s own page.
Seasonal schedule
- Orchard Beach — open Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day. Lifeguards on duty during posted hours only.
- Playgrounds — open year-round during general park hours.
- Pelham Bay and Split Rock golf courses — operate seasonally; tee times via Trust for Public Land / NYC Parks concession.
- Hiking trails (Kazimiroff Nature Trail, Siwanoy Trail) — open year-round during park hours; conditions vary after storms.
Accessibility
The crown jewel for accessibility is Playground For All Children — reconstructed in 2000 specifically as a fully inclusive playground. It includes ground-level play features, water-based play features, ramps, mobility transfer systems, accessible swings for children under age 5, and wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
Other playgrounds vary: Orchard Beach Playground includes mobility transfer systems and accessible restrooms but no ramps or accessible play features. Pelican Bay and Sweetgum playgrounds are wheelchair-accessible but lack ramps and mobility transfer systems.
Highlights worth the trip
- Orchard Beach Promenade — the “Riviera of New York,” 1.1 miles of crescent shoreline on Long Island Sound.
- Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum — early 19th-century house museum within the park; operates on its own visiting hours.
- Kazimiroff Nature Trail — 1.5-mile loop through forest and salt marsh on Hunter Island.
- Glover’s Rock — Revolutionary War monument commemorating the Battle of Pell’s Point (October 18, 1776).
How to report a problem
For broken equipment, downed trees, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, or maintenance issues anywhere in the park:
- 311 — call, text, or use the NYC 311 app. NYC Parks issues are routed through 311 per the 311 Parks reporting article.
- NYC Parks Administrator’s Office — (718) 430-1891 for direct park-level concerns.
- Emergencies — 911. The NYPD’s 45th Precinct covers the park area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pelham Bay Park free?
Yes. The park itself is free to enter year-round. The only fee is parking at the Orchard Beach lot during the summer beach season; off-season parking there is free.
What are the hours of Pelham Bay Park?
Pelham Bay Park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM under NYC Parks Rule §1-03. Individual facilities such as playgrounds, dog areas, and Orchard Beach have their own posted hours.
Can I bring my dog to Pelham Bay Park?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, outside playgrounds, athletic fields, and Orchard Beach. In designated off-leash areas, dogs can be off-leash from park open to 9:00 AM and from 9:00 PM to park close.
Do I need a permit to BBQ at Pelham Bay Park?
For groups of 20 or fewer at designated BBQ areas at Orchard Beach, no permit is required. For groups larger than 20, a Special Events Permit from Bronx Recreation (718) 430-1848 is required.
How do I reserve a field or court at Pelham Bay Park?
Field and court reservations are handled through the citywide NYC Parks permits portal at nycgovparks.org/permits.
Is the Pelham Bay Nature Center open?
Not currently. The Pelham Bay Nature Center is closed to the public. Urban Park Rangers programming continues citywide via (212) 360-2774 or 311.
When does Orchard Beach open?
Orchard Beach operates from Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day each year. Lifeguards are on duty only during posted hours.
How do I report a maintenance issue at Pelham Bay Park?
Call 311, use the NYC 311 app, or contact the Pelham Bay Administrator’s Office at (718) 430-1891. Emergencies should go to 911 (NYPD 45th Precinct covers the area).
