Most New York City kids spend summer on asphalt; the Greenbelt camp spends it in the largest stretch of forest inside the five boroughs. Blood Root Valley sits deep in that 2,800-acre network of woods, ponds and trail, which means the camp day genuinely happens under a canopy rather than on a lawn with trees at the edges. If you want proof that Staten Island holds terrain nothing else in the city can match, this is where it's put to use.
What to expect
Camp groups moving through wooded trails and open clearings for nature activities, hikes and games, with the Greenbelt's own trail network as the setting. Expect uneven ground, shade, insects and real weather exposure rather than a paved playground. The Greenbelt's public trails remain open to hikers throughout.
Good to know
- The Greenbelt sits in central Staten Island; the S57, S61 and S62 buses reach various trailheads from the ferry
- This is an enrolled camp program, not a drop-in activity
- Closed-toe shoes with grip are essential — the trails are dirt and root, not pavement
- Bring bug spray and check for ticks after; this is genuine forest, not a mowed park
- The Greenbelt Nature Center is the best public starting point if you're visiting the trails yourself
- Trails vary in difficulty and are largely not wheelchair accessible
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Common questions
How big is the Staten Island Greenbelt?
Roughly 2,800 acres of connected woodland, wetland and trails across the island's central ridge — the largest continuous forest inside New York City.
Can the public hike Blood Root Valley?
The Greenbelt's marked trail network is open to the public year-round. The camp uses a portion of it, but the trails themselves stay walkable.
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