Governors Island National Monument Highpoint Trip Report
Date: August 5, 2005
Author: John Mitchler
General Description: A half mile south from the tip of Manhattan and 400 yards west of Brooklyn,
this island lies at the confluence of the Hudson and East rivers in New York Harbor
and requires a ferry ride. A park tour takes you to the fort on the highest ground.
Distance: 1500 feet one-way
Difficulty: easy walk
Elevation gain: 35 feet from ferry dock
Summit elevation: 40 feet
Maps: USGS topo not needed;
topo chart
Access/permits: Open every day with no fee. A free ferry ride is required from 10:00am to 5:30 pm
weekends and hourly on weekdays. Access into Castle Williams is controlled by a ticket system and tour.
Best months: all year
Visitor Center: on the island
Highpoint Description: The highest ground of this monument is the eastern wall of Fort Jay.
The highest natural ground is a high ground outside the entrance to the fort,
slightly above the restored homes on the island’s south side.
Finding the trailhead:
Reach Governors Island by a free ferry service located at Battery Maritime Building,
10 South Street on the corner of South and Whitehall Streets in Lower Manhattan,
next door to the Staten Island ferry terminal. The weekend ferry departs at 10 am,
and starting at 11 am every 30 minutes on the half hour until 5:30 pm,
returning to Manhattan every 30 minutes until 7 pm.
The weekday ferry only runs hourly, departing at 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm etc...).
Parking in lower Manhattan is rare and expensive. Public transport serves the
ferry terminal. For subway, take the R train to Whitehall (100 yards from the Battery Maritime Building),
take the 1 train to South Ferry (exit and walk left), and take the 4/5 train to Bowling Green
(follow State Street to the building).
Ask your taxi driver, “Take me to South and Whitehall streets.”
The hike:
From the ferry terminal, hike directly toward Fort Jay, staying right on the walkways
to reach the fort's east side where the highest natural ground lies just outside the entrance.
The flagpole on the fort’s ramparts is the island's highest manmade earthworks.
About the park:
The island has served military purposes, the last being a Coast Guard Station since 1966.
In 2003, the NPS acquired 22 acres for a monument and the Trust for Governors Island
secured the remaining 150 acres.
Camping and services:
No camping and limited services on the island.