These trails, nestled right in the Riverdale neighborhood, are an absolute gem and a perfect, easy escape from the city hustle and bustle! They offer spectacular views of the Hudson River, often feeling like you are literally touching it, while gazing across at the dramatic cliffs of the New Jersey Palisades, which absolutely adds to the view. It's especially beautiful in the fall for the foliage--the trees burst with color, creating a vibrant backdrop to the river gorge. The trails themselves are easy, quick, and simple, with minimal elevation gain (no limited hills), making them accessible for just about anyone. You can enjoy a relaxing walk or seek out a more "ruggedness when needed" feel in certain sections. I constantly see people enjoying them: biking, walking, and even taking conference calls while soaking up the view! Important Dog Owner Warning These are great trails for walking your dogs. I often see dogs enjoying being off-leash here, but if you choose to do so, please be hyper-aware! The trail runs right alongside the Metro-North Hudson Line tracks (the stretch between the Riverdale and Spuyten Duyvil stops), and the fence isn't aligning the whole way. A distracted dog chasing a rabbit or squirrel can easily run right onto the active tracks. Keep a tight watch or use a long lead--it's not worth the risk, even if your dog is well-behaved. Overall, a highly recommended spot for a scenic, simple, and convenient outdoor experience! read more

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Spent the day in Riverdale on Sunday and got an amazing workout. The trail was really nice even though it felt like 1,000 degrees out that day. My dad and I had a great time, and we got all of our steps in that day. There was one part of Riverdale Park with branches leaning against a tree and it kind of looked like a scene out of The Blair Witch Project. It was a beautiful day, and I'm glad I got to enjoy it at the park. read more

One of favorite neighborhood spots. This park is comprised of two hiking trails. The first runs from the parking lot at Spaulding and Palisades south towards 232nd street. The other is a loop that runs north to 254th street and around. Both have great views of the Hudson in places. The park is dog walking heaven. Lots and lots of happy pups and their people take advantage area for walks and runs. Since Covid the park has become much more popular with families and other members of the community who come to explore and often add on the the stick shelters neighborhood kids have put together in the pine clearing on the north loop. Be careful with small dogs, there us a least one coyote family that lives in the park. Keep a close eye on pets and avoid walking them in this area at dusk or dawn. Enjoy this little park is a real treasure. read more

Riverdale Park - Spring in Riverdale Park - Parks Near Me - The Bronx, New York

Riverdale park is a nice forest area to walk around - makes you forget that you're in New York City. The park consists of wooded areas and trails running alongside the Hudson River. Nature all around - mushrooms, trees, wildlife. It's right in my neighborhood so it's s very convenient spot to take a walk. There is a parking lot near the school that we used for our starting point. I also saw people street parking to access the park. read more

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I can only base my review of Riverdale Park as it was in the bygone era of my childhood.. It was an overgrown jungle. Two paths ran parallel and you could not see one path from the other or to the houses alongside the park or to the river except at places where the park trail opened up or dropped down to provide look out points over or access to the rail line. The trails continued a bit further past the lot before hitting houses. I remember a stream and maybe a stone road trestle? Dark forest out that way.. Bad juju. There was an old rusted out car in the middle of the greener woods. Lots of vines and berries of all colors depending on the season. In one spot you could drop down to the rail line and leave pennies or dimes in the tracks. They would ping and fly off flattened at least partially after the train went by. There was a smallish parking area below Wave Hill (a gorgeous botanical garden above the park) and the Riverdale School River Campus. There were also a few spots by 25th street above the Riverdale train station. Massive tree trunks kept autos, motorbikes and mountain bikers from entering.. although I may have mountain biked on the trail a time or two.. before mountain biking was a thing. Trail riding I think we called it.. the trunks got a bit smaller over the years as they rotted.. There was poison ivy. An element of danger. And you could be totally lost in another wild green world in the park. There were various ruins in the park. You could wonder what was there with only foundations remaining.. anyone know the park's history? Back in the day you could also walk along the Hudson River via the Riverdale Train Station overpass. It was always a bit burnt wood smelling, sometimes because the wood in it had been burned. It also had a woody pee smell to it. But there was always a breeze by the river. And the tingling electric sound of the trains as they approached and roared by. Whisking brokers from Nyack and Connecticut to Penn Station and lower Manhattan so they could peddle derivatives and AOL stock. This time it was different.. a new era.. As I got older the park was cleaned up and changed. :) Hopefully it is great now too.. I'm afraid to look.. I saw some of the changes at the beginning.. Wasn't the same.. read more

4.5 stars... I'm only taking 1/2 a star off because despite bordering the Hudson River you can't go down and sit by the river as there's train tracks right next to the water with a fence keeping you from getting to them. Despite this one downside this park is awesome. Like Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, Riverdale park is all natural woodlands. Partly due to the parks narrow shape there's primarily one wide path through the woods that goes the length of it. The park is about 1 1/4 miles by about 400feet. There aren't any benches but occasionally there's a log to take a rest on. At the northern end of the park is a fire pit, I'm sure you're not allowed to be having fires here but by the looks of it, I don't think that rule has been followed. Riverdale Park is the first and only place I've been to in NYC where I've been surrounded by nature and if I listen closely there's no whisper of traffic in the distance, only the sound of a gentle breeze and birds. This is because there's only the river to the west and the gorgeous and surprisingly un-NYC like neighborhood of Riverdale to the east. It's worth driving/walking/biking around this neighbored and checking out the mansions while you're up there. Wave Hill gardens is also in the area, a worthwhile visit (especially if time it with one of their free times) It was very relaxing park/area and I'll be sure to be back. read more

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This review is for the section of Riverdale Park called Seton Park. 6 tennis courts, 2 softball/baseball fields, a playground, an old basketball court... there's plenty to stay entertained here. The Raoul Wallenberg Forest is nice, even in the winter. And the Hudson is only a few steps away. read more

This entire neighborhood is so different from the rest of the Bronx. There's a great video about it: https://youtu.be/BSAT-st7BLw. Enjoy the beauty of this park and it's surroundings. read more

"Park" often invokes visions of jungle gyms, swings, noisy happy children frolicking in sprinklers...not the case here. Nestled in between Palisade Ave and the Hudson River for much of the length of Riverdale, this is really just a long strip of trees and wilderness with some paths carved out for walking, jogging, or dog walking. If you do come here for a jog, be warned that the paths are not at all flat, and not formally maintained, so you'll occasionally be dodging bushes and branches, as well as aforementioned walkers and dogs. Not for everyone, but some of us really enjoy a more "off road" experience whilst running. Also, there are no formal entrances - really just gaps along the fence where pathways begin. That's about all you get - but that's how Riverdalians like it. Trees, trees and more trees. read more

It's really hard to believe you are this close to NYC. I felt like I was upstate again, but in the best woods or trails. Pretty much unsanitized, just straight up woods and trails. It's a wonderful place to be. Just like in Stand By Me, you can try to walk as far as possible to get to the train tracks, where it is suddenly unbelievably quiet. You won't be considered a hero when you get back, but neither did they, really. read more

Spontaneously decided to visit this park and was pleasantly suprised. It's not a flat park and I don't recall seeing a swingset. We saw a few dogs (and their owners) but for the most part, there was no one in the park when we walked through. It feels like you're not in the Bronx. The Hudson line of the Metro North wisks by on the west side of the park. There are several downed trees that the parks dept has turned in to seating areas (it seems). We will be back! read more

Beautiful, beautiful! Such a pleasant surprise. I come here as often as I can. I've taken many hour long walks here on sweltering summer days. It's a good 10 degrees cooler here under the vast canopy of trees. I got caught in a thunderstorm here this summer and although it wasn't the safest place to be, it was surely the most enchantingly beautiful. I can go on and on about this wondrous place!! read more

This is a cute little park. A bit tough to get to, but since you'll be hiking anyway, I don't think it should be a problem. Get off at 231 Street on the 1 train and navigate west until you make your way to the southern end of the park at 232 street and Palisades ave. You will see the transition from a gritty inner-city area into a pleasant, suburban-like neighborhood with extravagant homes. The park itself makes for a very fun hike that is perfect for beginners due to the lack of real physical challenge. There aren't any inclines or anything, so it's good for anybody. The park is about the width of a city block. Looking to one side, you can see homes and a fence through the trees, and if you look to the other side, you will see the beautiful Hudson river and the New Jersey palisades. The park isn't continuous; there is a section (roughly at the middle point) where a group of family homes are built. You will have to make your way back to the street to re-enter the park on the other side of these homes. The trail continues until you hit 254 street, which features the exclusive Riverdale Yacht Club and the Riverdale metro-north rail station, about a block west of the park exit. You can relax here and look up the Hudson river, where you are able to see the Tappan Zee bridge in the distance on a clear day, and some gorgeous foliage if you make the trip around late October. All in all, this was a great, quiet little mid-morning hike that gives you a taste of the beautiful nature of the southern Hudson valley without requiring you to even leave the city. If you want a more extensive hiking experience, take the Metro-North to Breakneck Ridge, or just drive to Harriman State Park! read more

I never expected to find such an awesome park along the Hudson river and the Metro North train tracks. This park is not filled with swings, gates, or water fountains for children to play in. This is the truest definition of the word park- its just you and nature. Trees surround you in every direction as does the beauty of nature envelops you. If you have a pet who would enjoy a long 2 mileish hike, this is the perfect dog-walking experience for you and your canine. Intermittent parts of the park offers seating but really, this is a true hike around in dirt, type of park. Some of the views of the Hudson and NJ are delightful and you'll also get to check out Riverdale's exclusive Yacht club from afar. It's just one of those places where you can practice cross-country jogging, walk with your pet or enjoy a day outdoors being one with nature. When the greens are lush and overgrown, please becareful of the poison ivy. And finally, if you bring garbage into this park, take it out with you when you leave. Trash cans do not exist and its better for the environment if we do our part to minimize litter. read more

i grew up on 254th Street, where the northern entrance to the park begins. I went there every day after school, with a borrowed dog. I never met anyone else so it was a true adventure. It was totally untamed, with just a hint of an indian trail. I learned about the seasons, moss, snow, and the Hudson River with all its beauty and ugliness. Now, well, it's discovered. It's a dog walker's haven and I doubt very much if you could find any hour when you'd be alone. It's been cleaned up but still has some of the wild, grubby feel i loved that made stumbling on little meadows especially wonderful. I was born and grew up there in the 1940's and 50's. read more

The park is a hidden gem. Riverdale has many beautiful places and this is one of them. Come and explore! I love Riverdale so much. Growing up here and having the opportunity to enjoy the beauty is and was a joy. read more

I was walking around yesterday near R.K.A high school and I found this little park. It was so beautiful with lots of trees and litle blue flowers poking up all around. Plus it has such a view of the hudson river and palisades. It's very calming. read more

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this park! It makes living in NYC fabulous! I love everything about it.... the trees, the view of the water, the proximity to my apartment, the off-leash dog rules, etc. TRUE LOVE! read more