New York City: Liberty State Park Loop

Only in Jersey can hikers cruise along salt marshes under the shadow of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and a historic railroad. The 5.5-mile loop around Liberty State Park affords precisely this opportunity.
From the park headquarters, the Hudson River Walkway heads directly toward the Statue of Liberty. The Verrazano Bridge is in the distance to the south.
Turn north onto the Liberty Walk. Fishermen line the shores, hoping to catch the flounder that frequent these waters. Ellis Island appears to the right of the promenade; to the left is a sprawling salt marsh. The Liberty Walk then wraps around the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, which shuttled newly arrived immigrants from Ellis Island into New Jersey during the 19th century. Ferries are available to both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from the terminal’s pier. Walk to the northernmost point, where views of Manhattan, the Hudson River, and Jersey City unfurl.
From here, the route turns inland along the Morris Canal Basin and loops back into the heart of the park. A paved, multi-use trail winds around gardens and memorials. Once it reaches the Interpretative Center, cut through a marshland full of phenomenal birding spots. Then merge back onto the Liberty Walk and retrace steps back to the finish.
-Mapped by MacKenzie Ryan

Mass Transit from New York City: Take the PATH subway to Hoboken. Then get on the Light Rail to Jersey City State Park. Ride the shuttle bus to the ferry slip.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 8.9

Waypoints

LSP001

Location: 40.693147, -74.057388

From the Park Office, walk toward the South Lawn and turn R. Head toward the walkway that skirts the playground and group picnic area.

LSP002

Location: 40.6927608, -74.057456

Head south on the Hudson River Walkway.

LSP003

Location: 40.6920644, -74.0576926

Turn L and continue on the walkway.

LSP004

Location: 40.690792, -74.054979

Reach a lookout that showcases Verrazano Bridge and Upper New York Bay. After enjoying the scenery, turn L and merge onto the Liberty Walk. The Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island are to the right.

LSP005

Location: 40.702277, -74.0452958

Cross the driveway and bear R to reaccess the Liberty Walk. Ellis Island is to the right.

LSP006

Location: 40.7061878, -74.038419

Turn R at the bench circle and continue walking toward the Hudson River.

LSP007

Location: 40.7058963, -74.0350521

Turn L and head toward the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal. Piers line the rightside of the Liberty Walk. Across the river is downtown Manhattan.

LSP008

Location: 40.707001, -74.0347758

Reach Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, a historical site. Here walkers can purchase ferry tickets to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Continue north past the building.

LSP009

Location: 40.708917, -74.034648

Turn L walk all the Morris Canal Big Basin. The Jersey City waterfront is directly in front of the platfrom here.

LSP010

Location: 40.7096619, -74.0402341

Reach the New York Water Taxi. City residents can take the taxi for $25 in which case the hike begins and ends here. Turn L and take the Liberty House’s walkway. Then cross Audrey Zapp Drive to access the park’s multi-use path.

LSP011

Location: 40.708539, -74.040212

Walk straight on path for roughly twenty feet then turn R.

LSP012

Location: 40.708001, -74.042955

Turn L and cross over parking lot exit. Freedom Way will be parallel to the path here.

LSP013

Location: 40.707831, -74.043125

Turn L @ Y-junction then stay right on the path.

LSP014

Location: 40.70657, -74.04386

Bear L @ Y-junction.

LSP015

Location: 40.706116, -74.043869

Turn L for a short detour into the Christopher Columbus Plaza. When finished, retrace steps back to the trail and head SW.

LSP016

Location: 40.705689, -74.044647

Go straight @ three-way trail junction.

LSP017

Location: 40.704737, -74.045326

Go R @ Y-junction.

LSP018

Location: 40.70347, -74.0463368

Head straight @ four-way junction.

LSP019

Location: 40.7025518, -74.047576

Continue straight @ three-way.

LSP020

Location: 40.702033, -74.04818

Bear L @ Y-junction.

LSP021

Location: 40.700902, -74.0486618

Bear R @ four-way.

LSP022

Location: 40.69946, -74.051017

Bear R @ Y-junction.

LSP023

Location: 40.698528, -74.0543688

Reach Interpretive Center. Turn L and walk through the patio and garden to access the Richard J. Sullivan Natural Area.

LSP024

Location: 40.698267, -74.0540368

Bear R on gravel path through designated natural area. The trail winds around a salt marsh, a great spot for birding.

LSP025

Location: 40.697617, -74.0537158

Go L @ Y-junction, heading toward the Hudson River. A small pond will be to the left.

LSP026

Location: 40.69776, -74.050967

Bear L @ Y-junction. The trail forms a lollipop shape in the marsh.

LSP027

Location: 40.697482, -74.050698

Turn L on the very short connector trail then continue to bear L onto the paved path.

LSP028

Location: 40.697777, -74.0502878

Go R onto gravel path and continue R onto the Liberty Walk.

LSP029

Location: 40.691974, -74.054266

Go R at the South Lawn, passing the Liberation Monument on the left. The marsh will be to the right. Continue straight to the Park Office to end the hike.

Lady Liberty greets visitors to the bay

Location: 40.6973641, -74.0501904

Seagull on street light

Location: 40.704717, -74.0414572

Ellis Island

Location: 40.7022444, -74.0450621

Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal

Location: 40.706978, -74.0350842

Miss Freedom docked at the park

Location: 40.7061647, -74.0347838

Liberty Science Center boat cruises out of the marina

Location: 40.7091089, -74.0369511

Columbus Monument

Location: 40.7060671, -74.0436351

Intrepretive Center

Location: 40.6984866, -74.0542996

Entrance to designated natural area

Location: 40.6984053, -74.0543425

Path through natural area

Location: 40.6979823, -74.0540206

Salt Marsh

Location: 40.6976895, -74.0538704

Statue of Liberty in the distance

Location: 40.7029927, -74.0468216

Tulips grow near the entrance to Ellis Island

Location: 40.7022607, -74.0455556

Liberation Monument

Location: 40.6923695, -74.0550935