Jacob Riis Park — Bay 1
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Rockaway Beach Blvd, Queens, NY, New York, 11694, United States
The isolated eastern end of Jacob Riis Park on the Rockaway Peninsula — historically "Screech Beach" — has been NYC's most popular gay beach since the 1940s. Documented by the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project, Swasarnt Nerf's guides, and countless community archives; Harvey Milk met Joe Campbell here in the 1950s. Bay 1 and the dunes behind it remain a social and cruising focal point in summer. Reach it via the Q35/Q22 buses or the Marine Parkway Bridge. Check NPS Gateway alerts: erosion has periodically closed Bay 1 to swimming. Nudity is not permitted under New York law.
Getting there
The eastern end of Jacob Riis Park, on the Rockaway Peninsula. The Q35 and Q22 buses and the Marine Parkway Bridge are the usual approaches.
When it's active
Summer. Bay 1 and the dunes behind it are the social and cruising focus.
What to know
This is Gateway National Recreation Area. Erosion has closed Bay 1 to swimming before — check NPS alerts the morning you go. Nudity is not permitted under New York law.
Location
Coordinates: 40.56930, -73.85480