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East River Esplanade
4.6 ★★★★★ 151 Google reviews · Running trail in New York, New York · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from East River Esplanade's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Parks & esplanade offering views of the East River.
What runners say about East River Esplanade
“This park is a great place to take a break and relax with such a beautiful view of the east river !”
“It’s a quiet spot popular with joggers & dog walkers.”
Hiked East Midtown Greenway from East 54th street entrance to East 70th street and back. Walkways are brand new with lots of benches dotting the wavy path. Beautiful vistas of Long Island City and Roosevelt Island.
Nice area to walk / bike. I started at 54th street and trough 71th street. In between their is 1 access (I think at 60th?), at the Red Sculpture in Andrew Haswell Park. There is also a dog park (separate for big and small dogs).
A hidden gem of a park. A great place for views of Queens and some of the interesting buildings on the East area of Manhattan such as the UN building. It’s a quiet spot popular with joggers & dog walkers.
Even at night time, it's well lit pathway. Many people running and walking and sitting on bench chilling. East River just next to. Overlooking Roosevelt Island. Can enter via 81st street at East End Avenue. A cop car seen to instill confidence.
Trail conditions & character
“A great place for views of Queens and some of the interesting buildings on the East area of Manhattan such as the UN building.”
“Very nice in the evening as the lights shine from the buildings across the East River.”
“There is also a dog park (separate for big and small dogs).”
“It’s a quiet spot popular with joggers & dog walkers.”
Plan your run at East River Esplanade
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadwater — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitenycgovparks.org
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–1 am |
| Tuesday | 8 am–1 am |
| Wednesday | 8 am–1 am |
| Thursday | 8 am–1 am |
| Friday | 8 am–1 am |
| Saturday | 8 am–1 am |
| Sunday | 8 am–1 am |
Running trails near New York
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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