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.
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.
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
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
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
Activities
Running Guide
Tags: Health & Fitness
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
Also in the area
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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
Park Information
A Reflection of Nature Itself: The Different Landscapes of Central Park
Central Park is made up of a variety of landscapes that are diverse, intricate, and interconnected—just like the communities of Park-lovers who enjoy them.
Tags: Trees / Nature Lovers / Lawns / Landscapes
About the Conservancy
What is Landscape Architecture?
Communities and nature converge across every inch of Central Park, where 42 million annual visitors explore diverse, human-made natural landscapes in the heart of Manhattan. This interaction is possible through the work of landscape architects. But what, exactly, is landscape architecture—and how does it come to life at the new Harlem Meer Center?
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / About the Conservancy / History / Staff Picks / Nature Lovers / Architecture / Landscape Design / Plants and Trees / Restoration and Maintenance
Restoration and Maintenance
Hand-in-Hand with Harlem: The Conservancy's Four-Decade Restoration of Central Park's North End
In the 1980s, the Conservancy turned its attention to the Harlem Meer and went on to address the needs of Central Park’s north end over the next four decades. Throughout all of this work, the communities surrounding the Park have been vital partners in the care and maintenance of their backyard.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Playgrounds
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
About the Conservancy
Urban Wildlife in Central Park: Understanding our Human Impact and the Hazards of Feeding Wild Animals
Feeding urban wildlife may seem like a kind gesture, but it can often do more harm than good. Learn why offering food like bread, crackers, and nuts to Central Park’s wildlife can cause malnutrition, disease, and injuries, and the other ways humans impact our feathered and furry neighbors.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Pollinators / Nature Lovers / Landscapes
Things to See and Do
10 Date Ideas in Central Park
Tags: Tips for Visiting
Plants and Trees
Urban Forest Bathing: Cultivating Calmness in a Chaotic City
“I don’t know if the founders of the Conservancy knew the term ‘forest bathing, but they clearly understood the Park’s potential as a space for wellbeing and rejuvenation—it’s right there in the Conservancy’s mission statement!” Meet the individuals who are introducing forest bathing to the busy New Yorker.
Tags: Park Design / Trees / Nature Lovers
Plants and Trees
A Tree Lover’s Guide to the Harlem Meer and North Woods
The North Woods and the landscapes around the Harlem Meer are home to a collection of New York City’s most showstopping trees—many of which are over 100 years old! Explore the Central Park Conservancy’s guide to the area’s best longtime leafy residents, curated by our expert arborists.
Tags: Conservancy Staff / Park Design / About the Conservancy / Trees / Highlights / Nature Lovers / Park Experts / Plants and Trees / Landscapes / Restoration and Maintenance
Things to See and Do
8 Secrets of Central Park
Tags: Tips for Visiting / Park Experts
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
Things to See and Do
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.
Tags: Families / Fall / Tips for Visiting
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
Park History
Before Central Park: A Brief History in 10 Fun Facts
What do glaciers, cow manure, and the Revolutionary War all have in common? They were all crucial in shaping the area that later became Central Park! Learn more about the pre-Park’s history with these 10 fun facts, drawn from Conservancy Historian Emerita Sara Cedar Miller’s new book.
Tags: History