Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

State parks are a great place to explore from behind the lens of a camera! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to hike through the West End. Participants must provide their own camera equipment. Participants are welcome to use their phone cameras.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2 miles of walking on sand and pavement.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Families (All Ages) | Walk

RSVP REQUIRED

$4 fee per program participant

In the winter, Jones Beach welcomes back its winter seal population. Learn about these incredible marine mammals and their migration to Jones Beach, and go for a walk to spot Harbor and Gray Seals feeding in our bay.

We start at the Center, with a talk about seals, and then participants follow our educators in their personal vehicles over to the seal-watching spot for a guided 1.5 mile walk on the sandy beach.

This program has portions both INDOORS and OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Please wear:

• Warm coat

• Gloves, Scarf, Hat

• Boots or other warm closed-toe footwear

If you need to cancel your reservation, please call 516-809-8222 or email jbenc@parks.ny.gov so your spot may be made available to others.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Wire Wrap Jewelry

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Walk

Join us for an up-close look at some of the weirdest ducks around. Bring your gloves, a hat, and a warm drink – we're going duck-watching! No experience required; binoculars provided.

Distance: Up to a 2 mile walk on sand and pavement.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors. Please dress appropriately.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Activity

Reflect on your intentions for 2026 by making a collage vision board that represents your aspirations for the year ahead.

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Bayberry Candlemaking

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Free Event Admission (NO RSVP REQUIRED)

Families (All Ages) | Walk

This free event will take place at Field 10 of Jones Beach. Drop in anytime between 10am - 2pm to talk with an educator and go looking for seals swimming along in the bay. This hike is 1.5 miles out-and-back. Our educators will have a scope to help patrons spot any seals. Bring your family and friends!

Wear boots, bring binoculars, and dress in layers, with scarves, hats, and gloves.

We're excited to see you!

In the event of inclement weather, please refer back to this page to know of any cancellations or delays.

—

Celebrate the new year in the outdoors with a First Day Hike at one of the many events across the state and nation.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.

This event is OUTDOORS. Dress appropriately.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Walk

Come down to Jones Beach each week to visit diverse habitats to look for waterfowl, shorebirds, and elusive owls. We will learn about birds’ winter adaptations that keep them warm during the coldest parts of the year and look for special visitors that that only frequent Jones Beach when temperatures drop. Bring your hat, gloves, and a warm drink! Binoculars provided.

Fee: Free / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: a mile or so on sand and pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the summer! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Wreath Making

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the winter! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Birdseed Balls

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

State parks are a great place to explore from behind the lens of a camera! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to hike through the West End. Participants must provide their own camera equipment. Participants are welcome to use their phone cameras.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2 miles of walking on sand and pavement.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Citizen Science

Help us catalog the species that can be found at Jones Beach State Park during the summer! Please have the free “iNaturalist” app pre-downloaded and bring your own smartphone to participate in this program.

We will be walking outdoors on our trails to find different species. Please dress for the weather.

Learn more about iNaturalist here:

https://www.inaturalist.org/

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects

Fee: Free

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 1 mile of walking across sand and/or pavement

RSVP: RSVP Required

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Volunteer Event

Ages 12 and up—all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Plan to arrive by 10:00 am (schedule below). Help survey Jones Beach! NYS DEC and NYS Parks, with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, hosts a Marine Debris survey and clean-up biannually. Come learn more about why this survey is so important! The duration depends on conditions but is expected to take 3-4 hours.

For this day at the beach, we will provide:

• PPE (gloves)

• Garbage bags

• Data recording materials

• Other equipment needed for the cleanup and survey

However, we ask that you please bring:

• Reusable water bottle

• Sun protection

• Weather appropriate clothing

• Closed toed shoes

• Lunch or light snack

Schedule:

10:00am—Welcome, Sign-in and registration (waivers and photo release) at Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center

10:30am—Introduction to staff, project, and research protocols

11:00am— Walk to beach

11:30 am—Survey and beach cleanup. Some groups will finish earlier than others. Survey's usually take between 2.5 - 5 hours depending on number of volunteers and the amount of trash present.

---

Presented by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program

If there are questions, please feel free to reach out to francis.mcparland@dec.ny.gov or jbenc@parks.ny.gov.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

State parks are a great place to explore from behind the lens of a camera! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to hike through the West End. Participants must provide their own camera equipment. Participants are welcome to use their phone cameras.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2 miles of walking on sand and pavement.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Craft

Learn a new skill with us and create a craft to decorate your home, gift to a friend, or just to help you unwind and relax.

Theme: Wire Wrap Jewelry

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Indoors

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Doors close 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.

Adults & Teens (Ages 12+) | Hike

State parks are a great place to explore from behind the lens of a camera! Photographers of all experience levels are invited to hike through the West End. Participants must provide their own camera equipment. Participants are welcome to use their phone cameras.

Fee: $4 per program participant / Vehicle use fee may apply

Outdoors/Indoors?: Outdoors

Distance: Up to 2 miles of walking on sand and pavement.

RSVP: RSVP Required.

Program departs 10 minutes after start time. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend.