Wolfe's Pond Park Hiking Trails

Wolfe’s Pond is unique because it is a freshwater pond that is just yards from the sea. The pond was once a tidal inlet with very different plants and animals than it contains today. Over time, the action of wind and waves pushed sand and clay into the mouth of the inlet, damming it and forming a pond. The outflow from nearby Acme Pond located in the northern section of the park, and the gradual accumulation of rain and overland runoff, transformed Wolfe’s Pond from a brackish body of water to a freshwater pond.

The rich marine and freshwater resources, bordered by lush woodlands, made this area a very desirable location for human settlement. About 6000 years ago, ancestors of the Algonquian Lenape people established camps on bluffs overlooking Raritan Bay. Following European colonists’ settlement in the 1700’, prominent Staten Island families bought farmland here, including the Johnsons, the Seguines, and the Wolfes—for whom the pond is named.

Throughout the woods, vernal ponds appear in the spring, when snow melt and rain accumulate, only to evaporate in the summer heat. These ponds provide the ideal environment for trees like sweet gum (Liquidamber styraciflua), sour-gum (Nyssa sylvatica), red maple (Acer rubrum), and pin oaks (Quercus palustris), as well as ferns like cinnamon royal (Osmunda cinnamomea), and netted chain (Woodwardia areolata). Easily recognizable is swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus), which turns bright red in the fall. Those plants that do not take well to the water will die, but in doing so provide feeding and nesting sites for downy woodpeckers (Picoides pubescens), green herons (Butorides virescens), and flickers (Colaptes auratus).

Mountain biking is permitted in Wolfe’s Pond Park on shared-use trails allowing both pedestrians and mountain biking. Bikers should always yield to those on foot, maintain control and be aware of their surroundings. Please be courteous and yield to fellow trail users.

White Trail:  The White Trail is one of the longest trails in the park at over two miles in length and the only trail that spans both the north and south sections of the park. Beginning from the main Wolfe’s Pond Park parking lot, the trail is wide and is relatively flat and allows for emergency access. Walk a short distance from the parking lot in the shady woods and you come to a wonderful scenic view of Wolfe’s Pond. The trail continues to the north and loops around the entirety of the park with mostly gentle elevation gain. From the south, park users can access the northern area by traveling along Hylan Blvd to the corner of Cornelia and crossing over Hylan Blvd. At times, the White trail overlaps with the Blue Trail and the Orange Trail in the northern section and also overlaps the Red Trail in the southern area.

Blue Trail: This loop trail in the northern section of the park is over 2-miles long and is accessed off Chisholm Street or from the White Trail. The area north of Hylan Boulevard is home to Acme Pond. Surrounding this freshwater pond is some of the most impressive woodland in New York City. Until the 1850s, most of this land was heavily farmed. The trees here sprouted after the farms were abandoned. As a result, the sweet gums (Liquidambar styraciflua) of the low wet areas and the white oaks (Quercus alba) and hickories (Carya spp.) of the uplands are about the same age. The Blue Loop travels through these beautiful upland woods, including in the very north of the park traveling up from a low area next to a wetland, park users come upon a beautiful upland forest view. It is a perfect time to stop for a breath, look up at the trees and listen for a downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) or other birds. The trail also goes around Acme Pond on two sides with a scenic view from its western shore. The Blue Trail also meanders around the surrounding wetlands of Acme Pond giving park users a variety of flora and fauna to observe.

Red Trail: The Red Trail is 1.5-mile double loop trail in the southern section of the park that is accessed from the main parking area on the emergency access lane with the White Trail. The eastern loop of the Red Trail travels through steep terrain in a mature hardwood forest of oaks (Quercus spp), tulip trees (Liriodendron tulipfera) and hickories (Carya spp.). It then circles around a forested wetland of red maple (acer rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua) as it completes the eastern loop near the parking lot. The western loop of the Red Trail is accessed from Hylan Blvd. A steep section of trail brings you to an overlook in the mature oak-tulip hardwood forest. A beautiful section of the park, it is well worth a burst of effort up the steep terrain. You’ll climb to a wonderous overlook of the hardwood forest over a ravine. Take a moment for the view of the ravine and Gabler’s Creek below which feeds freshwater from Acme Pond into Wolfe’s Pond. Continue around for glimpses of Wolfe’s Pond from the ridge and loop back around toward Hylan Blvd.

Orange Trail: The Orange Trail begins from the corner of Hylan Blvd and Holen St and is just under a mile long. Staying on the western side of the northern section of the park, the Orange trail is another meandering trail. Used primarily by mountain bikers, it travels through a hardwood forest dominated by sweetgum (Liquidamber styraciflua) and around forested wetlands dominated by red maple (Acer rubrum).

Paved Nature Trail: At under a half mile in length, the paved Nature Trail in the southeast of the park is a lovely short stroll through the woodland in this section of the park. Leading into a landscaped area towards the park’s beach, playground and other facilities, this path is also multi-use for both pedestrian and bicyclists.

Interactive Map

Download the Wolfe's Pond Park Trail Guide.

Points of Interest

Acme Pond & Wetland View

Take in the beauty of this freshwater pond and wetland that feeds Wolfe’s Pond to the south. The outflow from Acme Pond into Wolfe’s Pond, and the gradual accumulation of rain and overland runoff, transformed Wolfe’s Pond from a brackish body of water to a freshwater pond. Learn more about Acme Pond and the North Forest

View Acme Pond & Wetland View on the map

Wolfe’s Pond Viewpoint

Enjoy a beautiful view of Wolfe’s Pond just steps from the parking lot, with lovely scenery in all 4 seasons, be on the look out for waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds.

View Wolfe’s Pond Viewpoint on the map

Ravine Overlook

Just a few short, but steep steps from Hylan Boulevard, this overlook has a bench to sit and take in the view. The stream that connects Wolfe’s Pond to Acme Pond carved the ravine into the sandy soil. The trees that surround the ravine are the oldest in the park and you have a grand view of them from this location. Read more about the ravine

View Ravine Overlook on the map

Upland Forest View

In a quiet area in the woods on the edge of a wetland, stop for a moment to take in the forest beauty. Listening to the sounds of songbirds and woodpeckers, as well as the wind through the trees, enjoy fall foliage or the new green growth of spring in this upland forest tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

View Upland Forest View on the map

Hiking in NYC Parks

Visit our Hiking in NYC Parks page to find more nature trails in parks across New York City.