SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
STATE BEACH PARKS
Camp Hero State Park
1898 Montauk Highway
Montauk
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/97/details.aspx
Camp Hero State Park encompasses 415 acres of diverse landscape including heavily wooded areas, a long expanse of beachfront along the Atlantic Ocean, and an historic military installation.
Gilgo State Park
Ocean Parkway
Babylon
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/15/details.aspx
Gilgo State Park is located on a barrier beach on the south shore of Long Island, with Atlantic Ocean and Great South Bay frontage. Access to the park is via 4 wheel drive only and requires a permit.
Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park
Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway
Kings Park
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/37/details.aspx
Sunken Meadow State Park, located on Long Island Sound, has a wide range of topography that sustains a variety of flora and fauna. A man-made dam separates the park’s brackish creek and marshes from the tidal flats.
Heckscher State Park
Heckscher Parkway
East Islip
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/136/details.aspx
Heckscher State Park is one of Long Island’s most visited parks. Twenty miles of trails attract hikers, bicyclists and in winter time, cross country skiers. Swimmers can use the Great South Bay or the swimming pools.
Hither Hills State Park
164 Old Montauk Highway
Montauk
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/122/details.aspx
Named as one of the Top 100 Campgrounds in the nation.
Hither Hills State Park offers visitors scenic picnic areas and fireplaces, sport fishing, a sandy ocean beach and several other year round recreational opportunities.
Jones Beach State Park
1 Ocean Parkway
Wantagh
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/JonesBeach/details.aspx
Jones Beach State Park is a world-class and world famous swimming destination. The park offers surf bathing along its 6.5 miles of ocean beach, one-half mile of bay beach for stillwater bathing and it also offers a two-mile boardwalk and several other beachside amenities.
Orient Beach State Park
40000 Route 25
Orient
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/106/details.aspx
Named by Travel.msn.com as a 2007 Top 10 Family Beach in the U.S.
Orient Beach State Park has 45,000 feet of frontage on Gardiner’s Bay and a rare maritime forest wilderness.
Robert Moses State Park – Long Island
600 Robert Moses State Parkway
Babylon
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/7/details.aspx
Robert Moses State Park has about five miles of ocean beach from which visitors can swim, surf or surf-fish. Anglers can also fish from piers.
Shadmoor State Park
900 Montauk Highway
Montauk
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/16/details.aspx
Shadmoor State Park consists of more than 90 acres and is located one quarter-mile east of Montauk Village, features more than 2,400 feet of ocean beach accessed by two stairways.
Wildwood State Park
790 Hulse Landing Road
Wading River
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/68/details.aspx
Wildwood State Park comprises 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest terminating on the high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound. Trailer and tent sites are available for campers.
BOAT LAUNCH AREAS
Nassau County
Hempstead Lake
Hempstead Lake State Park
Exit 18 Southern State Parkway
516-766-1029
Trail leading to Lake’s edge, Annual $50 Launch Fee – Kayaks & Canoes Only
Hempstead Lake
Southern State Parkway, Exit 18, Eagle Avenue.
Hand launch, No trailers. No inflatables. No gas motors. State Parks permit required.
Jones Beach Inlet
Jones Beach State Park
Ocean Parkway – Boat Basin – east of picnic area
516-785-1600
Sandy area Kayaks & Canoes Only
Jones Beach Inlet
Jones Beach State Park
Ocean Parkway – Field 10 – east of picnic area
516-785-1600
Sandy area Kayaks & Canoes Only
Suffolk County
Artist Lake
Route 25
Middle Country Road in Middle Island
Hand launch
Belmont Lake
Belmont Lake State Park
Exit 38 Southern State Parkway
631-667-5055
Dock Kayaks & Canoes Only
Ample parking
Carmans River
Off Montauk Highway approx. 1 mile west of William Floyd Parkway.
Hand launch 300 yard carry required. No gasoline motors.
Deep Pond
Wading River Road between Route 25 and 25A
Hand launch 300 yard carry required. Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 office. Open for fishing weekdays, Sept. 15-June 15 only. No gas motors.
Forge Pond (Peconic River)
On South River Rd 1/2 mile east of Nugent Drive (Co Rte 24), LIE (Rte 495), Exit 71.
Hand launch
Fort Pond
Off Edgemere Road in the Village of Montauk.
Gravel launch Electric motors only
Great South Bay
Captree State Park
East of intersection of Ocean Parkway and Robert Moses Causeway
Paved ramp Pumpout and wash down area
Great South Bay
On Hecksher Parkway off Southern State Parkway
Hard surface Pumpout and wash down area
Lake Ronkonkoma
On Victory Drive off Rosevale Ave in Town of Islip
LIE (Rte 495), Exit 59.
Beach launch Electric motors only
Laurel Lake
In Laurel, off State Highway 25.
Hand launch Electric motors only
Long Island Sound
Gov. A.E.Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park
Sunken Meadow Pkwy – North East corner of Field 3
Sandy area Kayaks & Canoes Only
Lower Yaphank Lake
Located off LIE (Route 495), exit 67 on Route 21 north.
Hard surface ramp
Nissequogue River
Nissequogue River State Park
Kings Park
Dock Kayaks & Canoes Only
Nissequogue River
Gov. A.E.Smith/Sunken Meadow State Park
Sunken Meadow Pkwy – Southeast corner of Field 3
Salt Marsh Kayaks & Canoes Only
Otis Pike Preserve
Access to 7 small ponds and the headwaters of the Peconic River from multiple parking areas.
Hand launch, Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 Office.
Peconic River (Lower)
Off State Highway 25 (West Main Street) in Riverhead. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 72.
Hand launch
Peconic River (Upper)
1/2 mile west of Edwards Avenue on Mill Road. LIE (Rte 495) Exit 71.
Hand launch, Free special access permit required from DEC Region 1 Office.
Swan Pond
River Road south of Grumman Blvd. in Calverton.
Hand launch
Wildwood Lake
Off Lakeview, Old Westhampton Road 1/4 mile south of Riverhead Moriches Road.
Beach launch Electric motors only. Fishing for Southampton Town residents only.
