Orchard Beach is the Bronx’s only public beach, a 1.1-mile crescent of sand on Long Island Sound within Pelham Bay Park. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was updated in July 2026. The historic Orchard Beach Pavilion has just reopened this summer for the first time in 17 years, following a $114 million reconstruction; some older guides may still describe it as closed.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Beach season: Memorial Day weekend–13 September 2026. Lifeguards: daily, 10am–6pm |
| Ticket prices | Free entry; parking $10–$15 |
| Address | 1 Orchard Beach Road, Bronx, NY 10464 |
| Nearest transport/parking | Bx29 bus from the 6 train at Pelham Bay Park; large on-site parking lot |
| Typical time needed | 2–5 hours |
Orchard Beach opening hours
Orchard Beach’s swimming season runs from Memorial Day weekend through 13 September 2026. Lifeguards are on duty daily during the season, from 10am to 6pm, and swimming is prohibited outside these hours.
Which sections of the beach are open for swimming can change day to day, based on lifeguard staffing and conditions; closed sections are marked with signs and red flags, so check on arrival or via NYC Parks’ live beach map rather than assuming the whole beach is open.
5 great New York City experiences to book
- 🕊️ Make sure you get into the 9/11 Memorial Museum by booking tickets in advance.
- 🗽 Take a boat cruise out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
- ⛴️ Learn about NYC’s top buildings on an architecture-themed 1920s-style yacht cruise around Manhattan.
- 🌳 Take a pedicab tour around Central Park – and spot the hidden secrets on the way.
- 🍜 Taste the local flavours of New York on a Chinatown and Little Italy food tour.
Orchard Beach ticket prices
There is no entrance fee for Orchard Beach. Parking costs $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends and holidays for cars and vans, and $15 for buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles; seniors aged 65 and over receive a weekday discount with valid ID at the toll booth.
Visitors can sign up for Notify NYC and opt in to beach notifications for real-time updates on openings and closures, or check the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s beach water quality page before heading out.
Opening hours and facility status were checked on the official Orchard Beach page and last updated in July 2026.
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How to get to Orchard Beach
By subway, take the 6 train to Pelham Bay Park station, then transfer to the Bx29 bus, which runs to Orchard Beach in summer.
By car, the beach is reached via I-95, the Hutchinson River Parkway, and Pelham Bridge Road to Shore Road, following signs for Orchard Beach.
Parking at Orchard Beach
A large parking lot serves the beach directly, with the seasonal fees described above. It can fill on hot summer weekends, so arriving earlier in the day helps.
How long to spend at Orchard Beach
Most visitors spend two to five hours at Orchard Beach, whether swimming, relaxing on the promenade, or using the sports courts.
Visitors exploring the newly reopened Pavilion, or combining a trip with the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum elsewhere in Pelham Bay Park, should allow extra time.
Accessibility at Orchard Beach
Orchard Beach Playground has ramps and accessible play elements, including water-based play features, and a mobile charging station is available on site.
Orchard Beach doesn’t publish a single comprehensive accessibility guide for the wider beach; contact the Pelham Bay Park Administrator’s Office at (718) 430-1891 for specific accessibility questions.
Inside Orchard Beach: what to see
The Pavilion, a historic Art Deco-style structure, has just reopened after a 17-year closure and a $114 million reconstruction.
The hexagonal-block promenade, dating to the beach’s 1930s redevelopment, runs the length of the shoreline.
26 sports courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball, alongside two playgrounds and two picnic areas, are located behind the beach itself.
The Orchard Beach Snack Bar serves burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, and other boardwalk-style food.
Orchard Beach was created in the 1930s on a site used for a supervised public bathing facility since 1903, and was once proclaimed “The Riviera of New York.”
New for 2026, NYC Parks has introduced bright-orange lifeguard beach vehicles, known as gators, to help lifeguards respond more quickly to emergencies across the city’s beaches, including Orchard Beach.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit on weekdays for cheaper parking and a quieter beach. |
| Crowds | Summer weekends draw the largest crowds, especially now the Pavilion has reopened. |
| Layout | Park in the main lot and follow the promenade to find a quieter section of beach. |
| Entry process | Pay at the toll booth if driving; there’s no fee for arriving on foot or by bus. |
| On-site logistics | Check the current swim section status before heading to the water, since open sections change daily. |
Frequently asked questions about Orchard Beach
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Orchard Beach free to visit? | Yes, entry is free; only parking carries a fee. |
| Is the Pavilion at Orchard Beach open? | Yes, it reopened this summer after a 17-year closure and major reconstruction. |
| Can you swim anywhere along Orchard Beach? | Only in sections open on the day, marked by signs; check before swimming. |
| Are dogs allowed at Orchard Beach? | No, dogs aren’t permitted on the beach itself. |
| Is Orchard Beach open year-round? | The beach and park are accessible year-round, but swimming and lifeguard coverage run seasonally. |
Things to do near Orchard Beach
The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, a 19th-century estate within Pelham Bay Park, is a short drive away.
Pelham Bay Park’s trail network, including Hunter Island, is directly accessible from the beach.
City Island, a nautical-themed neighbourhood with seafood restaurants, is about 10 minutes away.
Split Rock and Pelham Bay Golf Courses, within the wider park, are open to the public.
Co-op City, one of the largest residential developments in the country, is about 15 minutes away.
What to visit tomorrow
Jacob Riis Park in Queens, a historic beach and bathhouse on the Rockaway peninsula, is about 1 hour away.
Rockaway Beach in Queens, home to the city’s only surfing area, is about 1 hour away.
Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn, with its historic boardwalk and amusement rides, is about 1 hour away.
Jones Beach State Park on Long Island is about 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Sunken Meadow State Park on Long Island, with a boardwalk and pool, is about 1 hour 30 minutes away.
More New York City travel
Other New York City travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Manhattan Museum guides: American Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Mathematics and Intrepid Museum.
- New York art museum guides: The Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Frick Collection.
- Guides to NYC’s wildlife attractions: Queens Zoo, New York Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo.
- New York City’s other parks: Roberto Clemente State Park, Riverbank State Park, Fort Tryon Park.
- Upper Manhattan attractions: The General Grant National Memorial and the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum.
