Fort Tilden

Fort Tilden Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
16" gun Casemate
Show map of New York City Show map of New York Show map of the US
Location	Rockaway Beach Blvd., New York, New York
Coordinates	40°34′N 73°53′W / 40.567°N 73.883°W / 40.567; -73.883Coordinates: 40°34′N 73°53′W / 40.567°N 73.883°W / 40.567; -73.883
Built	1917
Architect	U. S. Army
NRHP Reference #	84002917
Added to NRHP	April 20, 1984

Fort Tilden, also known as Fort Tilden Historic District, is a former United States Army installation on the coast in the New York City borough of Queens. Fort Tilden now forms part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, and is administered by the National Park Service.

Fort Tilden Historic District is located on the Rockaway Peninsula, between Jacob Riis Park to the east and Breezy Point Tip to the west. All three of these sites are operated by the National Park Service.

Fort Tilden in 2014 has largely become a natural area of beach, dunes and maritime forest. Most of the old military installations are abandoned, and military structures which formerly housed artillery (batteries) and ammunition (magazines) are covered in graffiti. A few buildings have been renovated and are used by local arts groups, and some large open areas are used as sports grounds. Atop one of the old batteries, Battery Harris East, a viewing platform has 360-degree views, which include the city, New York Harbor, and the Atlantic Ocean. The wilder parts of Fort Tilden are popular with bird-watchers and other nature-lovers, and the beach areas are frequently used for fishing.

Fort Tilden is an important nesting area for the threatened Piping Plover, a species which NPS—as part of a large global effort—is working to protect. The eggs and chicks are very small and highly camouflaged, so they are extremely difficult to see. It is very easy to step on the eggs and kill the unhatched chicks. "Under New York and Federal laws persons may be arrested and fined for killing, harassing, teasing, or in any way disturbing birds nesting in this area." Keep out of areas delineated by string fences and signs.

Common Terns and Least Terns also make their nests on the beach at Fort Tilden. These two species are threatened in New York State as well.

Do not: feed, come within 15 feet, disturb or harass wild animals. Take walks on the beach on the wet sand, and not the sand close to the vegetation. Do not enter bird nesting areas. Report violations to the U.S. Park Police: 718-338-3988.