Is North Brother Island illegal?

It's completely illegal for the public to set foot on North Brother Island and South Brother Island without permission from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation because of the dangers, as well as the fact it is a certified bird sanctuary.



Yes, visiting North Brother Island in New York City is illegal for the general public in 2026. The 20-acre island, located in the East River between the Bronx and Rikers Island, is designated as a protected migratory bird sanctuary. Managed by the NYC Parks Department, access is strictly prohibited to protect the nesting habitats of herons and other shorebirds. Furthermore, the island is home to the abandoned and decaying ruins of the Riverside Hospital (famous for "Typhoid Mary"), which are in a state of extreme dilapidation and considered structurally unsafe for visitors. While the city occasionally grants rare permits to researchers, historians, or journalists—who must be escorted by a Parks staff member—any unauthorized landing on the island is considered trespassing and can result in significant legal penalties.

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