The best parks in the Bronx in 2026 are Pelham Bay Park, the city's largest park, with Orchard Beach, Van Cortlandt Park for trails and a lake, Bronx Park with the zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, and Wave Hill's Hudson River gardens. Crotona Park, Roberto Clemente State Park and Barretto Point Park complete the list.
New York's largest park, with Orchard Beach.
Pelham Bay Park covers more than 2,700 acres of woods, marshes and shoreline, with Orchard Beach, golf courses, trails and the Bartow-Pell Mansion.
Good to know: Visit Orchard Beach in summer and the trails in fall.
Forests, a lake, trails and the city's oldest golf course.
Van Cortlandt Park has hiking trails, a lake, cross-country courses, the country's first public golf course and the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
Good to know: Walk the Putnam Trail along an old rail line.
Home of the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden.
Bronx Park follows the Bronx River and contains both the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden, with river trails between them.
Good to know: Spend a morning at the zoo and an afternoon at the garden.
Gardens overlooking the Hudson and the Palisades.
Wave Hill is a 28-acre public garden on a historic estate, with greenhouses, art and sweeping river views.
Good to know: Bring a book and sit on the Adirondack chairs facing the river.
4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10471
A big neighborhood park with a lake and a public pool.
Crotona Park has Indian Lake, a large public pool, tennis courts and trails in the central Bronx.
Good to know: The public pool is a summer favorite.
A Harlem River waterfront park with a big pool.
Roberto Clemente State Park runs along the Harlem River with a waterfront promenade, sports facilities and a large pool.
Good to know: Walk the river promenade at sunset.
A waterfront park with a summer floating pool.
Barretto Point Park, in Hunts Point, has East River views, a small beach and, in many summers, the Floating Pool Lady barge.
Good to know: Check whether the floating pool is open before you go.
Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, at more than 2,700 acres — over three times the size of Central Park.