I’m about to introduce you to one of my personal favorite places to explore outside the metropolitan NYC area and that’s Staten Island’s Clove Lakes Park. I lost count of how many times I’ve been to this amazing little park but it’s many and it’s a great place for escaping the city and finding a lot of little adventures to check out.
Info:
- Name: Clove Lakes Park
- Cost to enter: Free
- Distance from NYC: 30 minutes
- Ideal time to visit for: 1 day
- Reviews: 4.9 out of 5
Overview:
For starters, the park is extremely beautiful. It has 3 main lakes and rivers that run through it, numerous waterfalls all thoughout, some natural, some man made and a ton of wildlife that you can find year round.
The park’s significance goes beyond its visual appeal (even though it’s the main feature). Geologically, Clove Lakes Park stands out with its serpentine rock formations and last glacial activity remnants. This variety in the landscape offers a unique biodiversity, hosting various species of plants and animals which I’ll talk more about in the next section.
Beyond that, Clove Lakes Park has become a central part of community life in Staten Island. It’s a place where families connect, athletes train, and nature enthusiasts find solace.
Best things to do:
For starters, let’s talk boating. Imagine gliding across the gentle waves of the park’s lakes in a rented rowboat or paddleboat. It’s a perfect way to soak in the serene views and there are boat rentals available to do just that there.
If you’re game for a bit of exploration, the hiking trails are for you. These paths are easy for just about everyone, but fun and scenic at the same time. The trails in this park wind through the park, offering glimpses of local wildlife and vibrant plant life.
Now, for the fishing enthusiasts: the park offers seasonal trout stocking which I didn’t know about until recently. You can find a spot along the water’s edge on one of the 3 lakes, cast your line, and bask in the calm that fishing in Clove Lakes Park offers.
If you’re here with family, there’s more to do. The park has beautiful picnicking areas and facilities, including grills where you can cook up a barbeque feast. There’s plenty of open spots available throughout the area.
Birdwatching is also another huge activity in this park. You’ll find storks, ducks, geese and a whole bunch of other exotic birds flying around the area.
As for exercise, jogging, walking and biking are other very common activities you’ll find people doing throughout the park, whether on the pavement walks or on the trails.
Lastly, I recommend checking out the Stone House as it offers a glimpse into the past and is a great way to explore the park’s history and surrounding areas stories.
Here are some of the many photos I’ve taken in this place:
When to visit:
If you want to capture the true essence of Clove Lakes Park, timing your visit is key and as someone who has been to this park all 4 seasons, here’s what I learned:
Spring in the park is a celebration of renewal, with cherry blossoms creating a delicate pink canopy overhead. Around late April is when I’d visit the park for peak Spring season bloom. After that it gets very green there which is also amazing to see.
Fall, on the other hand, thrusts the park into the spotlight with its fiery autumn leaves, making it a photographer’s dream. In fact, I’ll say that Clove Lakes Park is one of my favorite places to see fall foliage in and to capture it, I would go there between late October through early November.
For summer, you’ll find just as much beauty as you would during spring, but it is also often very crowded in the park then, especially on weekends.
Winter is when you’ll rarely find people in the park, but most of the lakes actually freeze over during that time and if you visit after or during snowfall, the park is also an amazing wonderland.
Overall I’d say that Clove Lakes Park is a year round escape. Throughout the year, the park hosts various events, from nature walks guided by local experts to community clean-ups that foster a sense of camaraderie. I’m going to let you in on a little secret: attending these events can deeply enrich your relationship with this verdant retreat.
I’m here to help you avoid the crowds, too. While it’s a popular local hangout, weekdays usually promise a quieter visit. Opt for an early morning stroll or a late afternoon wander to really feel like you have the park to yourself. Trust me, it’s a small adjustment that can make a big difference to your visit and 90% of the time when I visit this park, it’s on a weekday.
Attractions:
There’s plenty of them inside the park and near it. For starters, the Clove Lakes Park boathouse needs to be mentioned again if you enjoy kayaking or boating in general.
The Martling’s Pond Bridge is also an amazing sight to walk across and take pictures of. It’s one of those social media worthy spots where every angle offers a new perspective and it’s a common place for wedding photos. If you manage to get to this place when it’s rainy, you’ll find 2 beautiful cascading waterfalls there.
The Staten Island War Memorial Ice Skating Rink is also worth checking out (during winter) but it’s more than just an attraction, it’s actually also a tribute to the rich history of the area, offering a poignant reminder of the brave hearts that have served.
Then there’s the Staten Island Zoo which is literally next door to the park’s entrance. It’s a perfect spot for families which features a wide variety of animals and a petting zoo.
Given the area, Clove Lakes Park is a place where you can get a plethora of amazing outdoor experiences, many of which can be done in a single day. Whenever I don’t want to travel too far outside NYC, Clove Lakes Park is one of my top destinations to check out and normally I’d feature spots way outside the 5 boroughs, but because of this park’s beauty and my many amazing experiences there, I just had to mention and recommend you visit this place.