Timeline
06:17
Drive or take the S78 or S79 bus to Great Kills Park before dawn. The park opens at 06:00, giving you time to find a quiet spot near the beach or woodland edge. Arrive with enough time to settle in and watch the sky lighten.
07:17
Watch the sunrise. On 15 January the sun rises at 07:17, on 15 April at 06:18, on 15 July at 05:38, and on 15 October at 07:07. The light is clear and the park is quiet. Stay for the golden light that follows, which begins around 16:12 in January, 18:58 in April, 19:45 in July, and 17:39 in October.
08:17
Head back toward the entrance or nearby area for breakfast or coffee. Since there are no food and drink shops listed in the immediate context for Great Kills Park, check the route for the nearest cafe in the vicinity. The park closes at 20:00, so you have plenty of time to linger.
Local tip
The park is open from 06:00 to 20:00 daily. Bring a warm layer if you are going in January, as the sunrise is early and the air is cold.
Check before you go
- Park hours are 06:00-20:00 daily.
- No food and drink shops are listed in the context for Great Kills Park; check the route for nearby options.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Staten Island (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).