The park is comprised of 40 acres of hilly terrain that offer scenic vistas of the Cold Spring Harbor. It features a mixed hardwood forest with notable large oak specimens that measure three feet in diameter, as well as thickets of wild mountain laurel.

The area is ideal for observing spring and fall migrations of a variety of songbirds, and is home to great horned owls and red-tailed hawks. The park serves as the northern trailhead of the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt Trail that extends to Bethpage State Park and eventually the south shore of Nassau County.

Find more about park permit information.

Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).

Cold Spring Harbor State Park

Trail View is a 400-acre, 7.4-mile linear park that serves as a link along the Nassau/Suffolk Greenbelt Trail that extends from Cold Spring Harbor State Park on the north shore of Suffolk County to Bethpage State Park, and eventually to the south shore of Nassau County.

New York State obtained the land in the 1960s intending to use it as a parkway connecting Caumsett State Historic Park to Bethpage State Park. In the summer of 2002, the property was dedicated as a state park, offering a variety of recreational opportunities including trails for hiking and bicycling on its hilly terrain and open fields.

Trail View encompasses a variety of habitats and undeveloped natural resources such as hardwood forests, marshes and succession fields with elevations ranging from 60 to 300 feet above sea level. The park is a favorite spot for birdwatchers year-round, most especially--because it lies on the Atlantic flyway--during the spring and fall bird migrations. On a limited basis, visitors can ride horseback or cross-county ski.

Trail View State Park

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound, offers miles of bridle paths, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. The park has beautiful gardens, excellent fishing and scuba diving by permit.

In 1921 Marshall Field III purchased 1750 acres of Lloyd Neck to create one large estate. He named the land after its Matinecock Indian name, Caumsett, which means "place by a sharp rock." Field created a self-sufficient English-style estate as a combination country club, hunting preserve, and home, complete with its own water and electrical supply. When the estate was finished, it had facilities for every sport except golf.

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve was acquired by New York State in 1961. The park is diverse; fishing, hiking, bird watching, nature photography, and nature study are among the many activities visitors may pursue. The polo pony barn provides lessons, boarding & equestrian services as part of the Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center. The Masters Garage houses the Nassau BOCES Outdoor and Environmental Education Program.The historic Henry Lloyd Manor house built in 1711 is leased to the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society. The Historical Society provides historic interpretation of life during the colonial period. The Marshall Field III Main House hosts the OceansWide Education and Research organization.

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

Bethpage State Park is best known for its five world-class golf courses, including the world-renowned Black Course which was the site of the U.S. Open Championship in 2002 and 2009, the Barclays in 2012 and 2016, the PGA Championship in 2019 and will host the 2025 Ryder Cup. Visitors also flock to the park to use the park's picnic facilities, playing fields, tennis courts, bridle paths, hiking and biking trails and cross-county skiing trails.

Bethpage State Park houses a restaurant and catering facilities, a Golf Pro Shop and driving range.

For information about Bethpage State Park Golf Course, please call (516) 249-0700.

Bethpage State Park

Belmont Lake State Park, located in West Babylon is a 463-acre day use park bisected by Carll's Creek and Belmont Lake. The park, established in 1926 had been owned by August Belmont and served as farmland for some of Belmont's equestrian activities. Robert Moses chose this park to establish the regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island in 1935, which serves the public today for region-wide permit sales, park administration and as headquarters for the New York State Park Police.

The park is primarily visited by families seeking outdoor gatherings, picnics, and informal sports activities. It provides a bucolic feeling adjacent to the Southern State Parkway at exit 38 among densely developed neighborhoods. Carll's Creek stretches 4.2 miles south to the Great South Bay with a trail for hiking and biking. Horseback riding is available through the nearby Babylon Riding Center (for information contact 631-587-7778). The 42-acre Belmont Lake is encircled by a similar path, making a total of 7.6 miles of multi-use trails.

Pedal boats, rowboats, and kayaks are available for rent on the lake through the summer. We allow kayaks and canoes to be launched from the boat dock while the boat dock is open (they can't be inflatable, must be hard bottomed, no motors, no surfboards or wakeboards, and no paddle boards). If you cannot bring your own kayak, kayak rentals are also available for a nominal fee.

The park's significant natural features include the 26-acre, spring-fed Belmont Lake and a significant wetland complex. The lake provides springtime trout fishing and summer bass fishing for the avid anglers who use the park. It is home to permanent and migratory waterfowl populations. Park visitors enjoy watching Osprey diving from high above to catch fish for their young in the spring. Other waterfowl that can be easily spotted include Northern Shovelers, Mergansers, Teal, Great Blue Heron, and Egrets.

Patrons enjoy activities such as picnicking, playgrounds, and using the various game courts and fields. The lake attracts trail walking, fishing and non-motorized boating. The 7.6 miles of trails throughout the park are available for hiking, walking, biking, nature observation and weather permitting, cross-country skiing.

Special events such as the Great Jack-O-Lantern Sail, Holiday Tree Lighting, Egg Hunt, and Fishing Expo draw the highest attendance on non-holiday weekends.

Find out more about park permit information.

Belmont Lake State Park

Offering one of the most stunning views of the Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distance, Sunken Meadow State Park has a wide range of topography that sustains a variety of flora and fauna. Three lovely bridges stretch over Sunken Meadow Creek as it runs from the interior of the park to tidal flats at the mouth of the Nissequogue river. South of the flats are acres of undeveloped and heavily wooded rolling hills.
Among the most popular picnic parks on Long Island, Sunken Meadow hosts millions of people each year partaking of family and group outings. Pick-up sports are enjoyed on the ball fields and several informal open lawn areas. Swimming here is truly family-oriented in the generally calm waters of the Sound. Many people enjoy the health benefits of measured walks along the ¾ mile boardwalk. Cross country running events are held over the hilly running course. The park is the northern terminus of the Long Island Greenbelt trail for hiking.

From Field 3 at the eastern portion of park, launching is available for windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and canoeing.

27 holes of golf at Governor Alfred E. Smith Sunken Meadow State Park

Golf course architect Alfred H. Tull (1897-1982) designed what are today the Red and Green Courses in 1964. Tull, who designed the Yellow Course and redesigned the Blue Course at Bethpage State Park in the 1950s, was noted for laying out golf courses without consulting topographical maps. Only after his routing of the course was complete did he overlay his plan on topographical maps. The result seems to be golf courses which make maximum use of the existing terrain. In the case of Sunken Meadow State Park that terrain is somewhat hilly and variable, surrounded by mature woodlands; resulting in an attractive and relaxing outdoor experience for golfers. The view of the Long Island Sound from the golf driving range is stunning in its beauty.

The use of motorized golf carts was introduced in 1997. Today, in the hierarchy of state park golf courses in the region, the Sunken Meadow courses are intended to serve golfers of a moderate skill level. While maintenance and operation of the golf facilities is kept at an excellent level, they are not maintained at championship level. The courses provide an enjoyable outing with moderate challenges, but not punishing for those who make errant shots.

Sunken Meadow State Park (Governor Alfred E. Smith)

Brentwood State Park is a 52-acre sport facility that consists of baseball fields and soccer fields.

Brentwood State Park is open weekdays, from 8:30am to sunset and weekends, from 7am to sunset.

Field Use Information

Anyone interested in securing field usage at Brentwood State Park must complete a Park Use Application and either mail, or hand deliver, the application to: Long Island State Parks - Permit Office 625 Belmont Avenue Babylon, NY 11702.

If you require additional information, please call the regional permit office, weekdays, 9am to 5pm at 631-321-3515.

Pet Policy: No Pets Allowed

Cold Spring Harbor State Park Maps

Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Cold Spring Harbor State Park Description

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