Riverbank State Park, officially known as Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, is a 28-acre state park in West Harlem, Manhattan. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning a trip.
This guide was checked in July 2026; note that new summer aquatics membership card sales stopped on 31 May 2026 and resume in autumn 2026, a change some older guides do not yet reflect.
Quick facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Park grounds: 6am–11pm, every day of the year. Individual facilities keep separate hours (see below). |
| Ticket prices | Free to enter. Pool: $1–$2. Skating: $2–$5. Fitness room: from $5 a day. Carousel: $1 a ride. |
| Address | 679 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10031 |
| Nearest transport | #1 subway to 145th Street–Broadway; free car park on the lower level |
| Typical time needed | One to two hours for a walk; half a day if using the pool or gym |
Riverbank State Park opening hours
Riverbank State Park’s grounds are open every day of the year, from 6am to 11pm. Each facility inside the park keeps its own hours, which vary by season.
- Aquatics complex: adult lap swim 6.30am–8.15am daily; senior lap swim and classes 9am–11am, Monday to Friday; general admission 11am–2pm and 3pm–6pm, Monday to Friday; general admission 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm, Saturday and Sunday.
- Athletics complex: 6.30am–10pm, Monday to Friday; 6.30am–6.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
- Skating complex: ice skating runs November to March, Friday 6pm–9pm and Saturday–Sunday 1pm–4pm and 6pm–9pm; roller skating runs April to October.
- Cultural complex and carousel: open seasonally, May to October, with hours that vary by programme.
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Riverbank State Park ticket prices
Entry to the park itself is free. Charges apply only to specific facilities, including the pools, skating rink, fitness room and carousel.
- Pool admission: ages 4–15 pay $1; ages 16 and over pay $2; seniors pay $1. Morning lap swim requires a pass bought in advance.
- Roller skating: $2 admission; skate rental $6 a day.
- Ice skating: $5 for adults, $3 for children; skate rental $6 a day.
- Fitness room: $5 day pass, $20 for seven days, $40 for 30 days, rising to $200 for a year, plus a one-off membership fee.
- Carousel: $1 per ride.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in July 2026.
Riverbank State Park is not included in CityPASS or Go City New York passes, since these focus on major paid single-admission attractions such as the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History, Top of the Rock, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
How to get to Riverbank State Park
The most direct subway route is the #1 train to 145th Street–Broadway, one block from the main entrance. Riverbank State Park stands in West Harlem, on the Hudson River, and buses also run directly into the grounds.
- Subway: #1 train to 145th Street–Broadway; A, C, B and D trains to 145th Street–St Nicholas Avenue, a short walk east.
- Bus: BX19 and M11 both run directly into the park.
- Bike: accessible via the Hudson River Greenway.
Parking at Riverbank State Park
Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the park’s lower-level car park. Parking is not available at street level within the park itself.
Drivers should stop at the guard booth at the West 145th Street entrance to request a parking pass and directions to the lower-level car park.
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How long to spend at Riverbank State Park
A walk along the promenade, playgrounds and picnic areas typically takes one to two hours. Visitors planning to use the pool, gym or skating rink should allow half a day, since each facility has its own admission and changing area.
Accessibility at Riverbank State Park
A lift connects the free lower-level car park to the upper park level, where the main facilities stand. Riverbank State Park is managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), which applies a general ADA accessibility policy across its sites.
Visitors with specific mobility, sensory or other access needs should contact the park directly on (212) 694-3600, or the OPRHP ADA coordinator, ahead of their visit.
Inside Riverbank State Park: what to see
The park’s promenade runs along the Hudson River, with views of the Palisades and the George Washington Bridge.
The aquatics complex houses an indoor 50-metre pool, open from October to Labor Day, and an outdoor 25-metre pool, open from 4 July to Labor Day. An outdoor spray ground operates during the same summer window.
The athletics complex includes an indoor gymnasium, a fitness room, an outdoor running track, a football and soccer field, tennis courts, and basketball and handball courts.
The skating complex has a covered rink, used for ice skating in winter and roller skating in the warmer months.
The cultural complex holds an 800-seat theatre, a carousel running from May to October, a community garden, and space for art and music classes.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Weekday mornings offer quieter paths, courts and pool sessions than weekends. |
| Crowds | Weekend afternoons bring the largest crowds to the pools and skating rink. |
| Layout | The park spans several linked levels, connected by ramps, stairs and a lift. |
| Entry process | General park access needs no ticket; paid facilities require separate admission at each entrance. |
| On-site logistics | Facility fees are collected at individual entrances, so allow extra time during busy periods. |
Frequently asked questions about Riverbank State Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Riverbank State Park suitable for children? | Yes. It has playgrounds, a carousel, a spray ground and a wading pool. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Riverbank State Park? | General entry needs no booking. Morning lap swim requires a pass bought in advance. |
| Is Riverbank State Park open on Sundays? | Yes. The park is open 6am–11pm daily; individual facility hours vary by day. |
| Is parking free at Riverbank State Park? | Yes. Parking in the lower-level car park is free, on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| Are pets allowed at Riverbank State Park? | No, except for service animals. |
Things to do near Riverbank State Park
- Riverside Park: a riverfront park bordering Riverbank to the south, with walking and cycling paths along the Hudson.
- Grant’s Tomb (General Grant National Memorial): a presidential memorial overlooking Riverside Park, a short walk south.
- Hamilton Grange National Memorial: Alexander Hamilton’s restored home, relocated into nearby St Nicholas Park.
- Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters: a hilltop park and medieval art museum, a short subway ride north.
- City College of New York: a Gothic Revival campus a few blocks east of the park.
What to visit tomorrow
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens: a large multi-use park with pools, an athletics track and museums, about 45 minutes by car.
- Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey: a waterfront state park with trails and Statue of Liberty views, about 40 minutes by car.
- Jones Beach State Park, Long Island: a large state park with pools, a boardwalk and sports fields, about an hour by car.
- Bear Mountain State Park, Bear Mountain, New York: a state park with a pool, hiking trails and a zoo, about an hour by car.
- Sunken Meadow State Park, Long Island: a state park with a beach, athletic fields and a golf course, about an hour by car.
More New York City travel
Other New York City guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Top of the Rock observation deck and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- Visit the Fraunces Tavern Museum and the Charging Bull Sculpture in Lower Manhattan.
- Manhattan Museum guides: American Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Mathematics and Intrepid Museum.
- Guides to NYC’s wildlife attractions: Queens Zoo, New York Aquarium and Prospect Park Zoo.
- Guides to state parks in New York City: Roberto Clemente State Park.
