North Woods

Located in the northwest area of Central Park, the 40-acre North Woods is the largest of the Park’s three woodland landscapes.
The North Woods encompasses a variety of landscapes and experiences, including the Ravine and the area surrounding the Blockhouse, a fortification built during the War of 1812 that is the oldest structure in the Park. The North Woods is an ideal place for wandering and exploring—and escaping the hustle and bustle of the City. It’s also a popular spot for birdwatching and other forms of nature observation.
Inspired by the well-known forested landscapes in the northeast such as the Catskills and Adirondacks, the Park’s designers created woodlands such as the Ramble and the North Woods to provide opportunities for a more intimate and immersive experience of nature. They made these landscapes specifically for New Yorkers who could not afford a vacation to these places—to offer them an escape from urban life that was closer to home.
To create the North Woods, designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux incorporated the area’s existing dramatic topography (including hills and large rock outcrops); added trees and other vegetation; and designed new features such as water bodies, cascades, rustic bridges, and a network of paths for exploring it all. Their goal was to create an impression of a rugged wilderness in the heart of the City.
The Park Needs Us
Central Park is New York City’s backyard—and it needs all who visit to get involved in its care. Find out how you can help keep it a vital public treasure and thriving habitat.
For much of the 20th century, the North Woods suffered from lack of regular maintenance. Many of its landscapes became overgrown, water bodies silted in, and infrastructure deteriorated.
Quiet Moments at the North Woods
Transport yourself to the wilderness of the Adirondacks with a short visit to the North Woods.
In the 1980s, the Central Park Conservancy began developing a comprehensive approach to woodland management, which led to the implementation of major restoration projects such as the most recent project completed in the Ravine in 2017. These efforts have made the area an important scenic destination in the north end of the Park and greatly enhanced the health and ecological value of these landscapes.
Things you can do here

Self-Guided Tours
Wandering in the North Woods
Discover the peaceful, wild woodland that’s little-known to most visitors.
Tags: Art & Architecture / Plants and Trees

Activities
Running Guide
Tags: Health & Fitness

Guides
Birding Guide
Interested in birdwatching? Learn how to respectfully spot the more than 210 bird species that make an appearance in Central Park.
Tags: Wildlife

Guides
Guide to Fall Foliage in Central Park
Tags: Plants and Trees

Guides
A Guide to Summering Safely in Central Park
Central Park provides New Yorkers a welcome escape from the intensity of NYC summers, but Park-goers should still take necessary precautions to stay cool, healthy, and hydrated during their visits.
Tags: Kids and Families / Health & Fitness / Wildlife
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Tags: Tips for Visiting / Park Experts

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Make Central Park a Part of Your Thanksgiving Tradition
Celebrating Thanksgiving in New York City can be especially magical, and we want to help you make lasting memories.
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10 Date Ideas in Central Park
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Wildlife
Flying in Plain Sight: The Bats of Central Park
Nine species of bats live in New York State, and Central Park’s 843 acres of sprawling meadows, woodlands, and water bodies play a crucial role in their health.
Tags: Pollinators / Nature Lovers

Plants and Trees
What Are Central Park’s Most Colorful Fall Trees?
In appreciation of this photogenic time of year, we asked a Conservancy arborist what trees you should look for this autumn and where to find them.
Tags: Fall / Trees

Wildlife
Wintering in Central Park: How Urban Wildlife Survives Seasonal Change
The mammals, birds, and reptiles that call Central Park home have adapted to survive the cold.
Tags: Winter / Nature Lovers

Things to See and Do
From the Mailbag: Solitude, Sports, and Skyline Views
We received curious inquiries on everything from the best places to take skyline photos to the history of the Minton tile ceiling in the Bethesda Terrace Arcade.
Tags: Tips for Visiting