Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hours of Operation

• Daily hours are from dawn to dusk.
  
  Vehicle Entrance Fees Collected: 9am to 5pm; weekends and holidays from the middle of May until June 18, Daily from June 18 through Labor Day, weekends and holidays After Labor day until Columbus Day

• 2023 Camping Season: 5/19 - 10/8
  Currently open for reservations only. No Walk Ins, Same day reservations can be made with Reserve America Only before 3pm. Only Two vehicles allowed per campsite.  New reservations are currently being accepted for camping 

  Camper check in: 3pm
  Camper check out: 11am

  CAMPER REGISTRATION at MAIN OFFICE:

  Check-in starts at 3pm until 8pm: Sunday to Saturday
  

• 2023 Swimming Beach Hours 

  Swimming is only allowed when lifeguards are on duty at the guarded beach area. The tentative swimming beach schedule is mid-June to Labor Day. Subject to change.
  

• Shelters: We will be accepting new reservations 11 months in advance of reservation date. Reservations can be made on ReserveAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-456-2267. Our shelters are only available to rent from the middle of May to Columbus Day. For information, call 585-964-2462.

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

• Vehicle Entrance Fee
• Vehicle Entrance Fee - $9
  
  Non-Profit Buses - $35
  Commercial Buses - $75
  
  Vehicle Entrance Fees Collected: 9am to 5pm; weekends and holidays from the middle of May until June 18, Daily from June 18 through Labor Day, weekends and holidays After Labor day until Columbus Day
• Camping
• 2023 Camping Season: 5/19 -10/9
  Currently open for reservations only. No Walk Ins, Same day reservations can be made with Reserve America Only before 3pm. Only Two vehicles allowed per campsite. New reservations are currently being accepted for camping 
• Camping Information

• PETS: 2 Pets ONLY allowed in "A" "B" and "C" LOOPS ONLY. They must be on a leash (max. 6ft. long) and have a current rabies certificate. Pets are not allowed in the restrooms, buildings, on the beach or past "C" Loop.
  

• Wood permits
• $25/load

Maps

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

• Firewood Source Map (pdf)

• Park Map (pdf)
• Campground Map (pdf)
• Trail Map (pdf)

Highlights of Hamlin Beach State Park:

• Yanty Marsh is a great lakeshore wetland that provides habitat for various marsh-nesting birds, amphibians and turtles. The observation platforms is a great place for wildlife watching. For a closer look, paddle into the marsh from one of the boat launches on the lake.
• Another Wetland area which hosts a number of turtle species that can regularly be seen basking, as well as carp and nesting birds.
• This landscape feature is a tree-covered bluff located on a truncated drumlin - a landform composed primarily of glacial till. The above-water section used to be larger, but rising lake levels and erosion have drastically reduced the size and made the steep cliffs unstable.
• Hamlin Beach State Park has been recognized as a premier spot for observing migrating waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds and was named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Bring your binoculars and see what you can spot!

What will you see? Plan your trip today!

Look and listen for these birds at our Park:

• Bank Swallow
• Great Blue Heron
• Green Heron
• Least Bittern
• Red-headed Woodpecker

Everyone is a Steward: Be a Hamlin Beach State Park Hero!

• Know the rules and concerns for the area you'll be visiting.
• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Respect other visitors and their experience. Avoid excessive noise.
• Share the trail. Keep to the right except to pass. When in doubt, give the other user the right of way. Warn people when you are planning to pass.
• Respect wildlife and observe from a distance.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
• Avoid using trails when they are excessively muddy.
• Don't litter.
• Hike and camp on established, durable trails and campsites.
• Be careful with your fire.

For more information, please read our Trail Tips!

When you enter or leave Lake Ontario:

• Clean and remove all visible plants, animals, fish and mud from your boat, trailer and other equipment and dispose of it in a suitable trash container or on dry land.
• Drain water from bilge, live wells, ballast tanks and any other locations with water before leaving the launch. Disinfect when possible.
• Dry your boat, trailer and all equipment completely. At least 5 days of drying time is recommended. Drying times vary depending on weather and material.

Ask a Naturalist!

Q: Are there any rare species in Hamlin Beach State Park?

A: Hamlin Beach State Park holds a rare erosional bluff ecological community, which is one of only three in New York State. Erosional bluffs are the sandy, sparsely vegetated slopes facing Lake Ontario on the west end of the park. They support populations of beach grass, seaside goldenrod, and bayberry. In addition, Hamlin Beach State Park is a migration route for rare bird species like the least bittern. It is important to observe these species from a respectful distance in order to not further diminish their numbers.

Q: What kinds of birds can I see in Yanty Marsh?

A: Yanty Marsh supports many diverse bird species. Some of these include red-breasted merganser, least bittern, great blue heron, green heron, mute swan, killdeer, and spotted sandpiper.

Q: Can I climb on the bluffs?

A: Climbing on the erosional slope/bluff community leads to quicker erosion of the bluffs, trampling of the native vegetation, and may provide a means for the introduction of non-native plant species. Illegal climbing on the bluff endangers the ecological community as well as individual safety.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OUR PARK!

Birds:

• Bluebirds, which were near extinction in the first half of the 20th century, have rebounded since the 1960s. They are abundant in the park.