From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1966 to 1996, continuing its legacy of national service. Today, Governors Island has transformed into a
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursFort Jay will be closed for the winter. It will re-open in April
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 212-210-6866 · GOIS_information@nps.gov
Governors Island is located in New York Harbor, 1/2 mile from the southern tip of Lower Manhattan and 400 yards west of the end of Brooklyn's Atlantic Avenue and Red Hook waterfront. It is accessible only via ferry. Ferry service from Manhattan is the main way to access the island. The ferry departs
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Governors Island National Monument — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Governors Island National Monument?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — trails here include Hay Road. Check length and difficulty before you go.
Yes Can you bike here?
Yes — biking is available at Governors Island National Monument. Confirm which roads or trails allow it.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
No Are drones allowed?
No — launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on National Park Service land.
Depends What are the hours?
Fort Jay will be closed for the winter. It will re-open in April
Nearby sites
NPS Photo/Laura Brennan National Park Service Castle Clinton National Monument
ConfirmedFree entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
NPS National Park Service Federal Hall National Memorial
ConfirmedFree entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
