Belmont Lake State Park

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Address
Southern State Parkway Exit 38
North Babylon, NY 11703

Long Island Region

Latitude 40.734316

Longitude -73.338525

Directions

General Information: (631) 667-5055

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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 (max 4 passengers per pedal boat and 5 passengers per row boat). 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.

Pavilion Information
Belmont Lake has four pavilions. Prices range from $200 to $250 and can accommodate up to 200 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com. Find out more about reserving picnic pavilions and view pictures of the options available (Birch, Maple, Oak, Pine).

Dog Run
The dog run is 100ft x 100ft with two separate areas for large and small dogs with plenty of pet waste stations. Open during normal park hours (sunrise to sunset).

Dog Run Rules | Dog Run Photo

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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 picnic areas, boats, playgrounds, and buildings (this does not apply to service animals).

Hours of Operation

Belmont Lake State Park is open from sunrise to sunset, year round.
Picnicking, available all year.
Pavilion rentals: All pavilions - (Maple, Birch, Pine & Oak)
Rowboat, Pedal Boat and Kayak Rentals:
5/4 - 10/14/2024
Weekends & Holidays
5/4 - 6/23: 11AM-4:30PM
6/25 - 9/02: 12PM-6:00PM
9/7 - 10/14: 11AM-4:30PM

Monday through Friday
6/25 - 9/02: 11AM-4:30PM

Maximum 4 persons per pedal and 5 person per rowboat including children. Last rental is 4:00 pm, or 5:00 pm as per time of year. Boat must be returned two hours after the last rental. See rental information.
Fishing is permitted from Rowboats Monday-Friday, 6/28-9/03, excluding holidays.

2 persons maximum/kayak. Kayakers must be at least 18 years of age to use kayak. Children 6 years of age or older permitted with 1 adult. Kayaks must be returned after 2 hours - additional hours will be charged in increments of 2 hours/$20.00. All kayakers must wear safety vests provided by park staff, at all times. Will need (1) identification, (2) credit card to be copied (as deposit for kayak) and (3) cash or credit accepted as payment.
Fishing: Following DEC guidelines, available year-round.

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
Weekends & Holidays
4/6/24 - 5/19/24: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
5/25/24 - 9/2/24: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
9/7/24 - 10/14/24: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday through Friday
5/25/24 - 9/2/24: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cars: $8
Buses: $35
Picnicking
Free

No permit is needed if group is less than 50 persons, if you are not renting a pavilion, if you are not entering with a bus, or if you are not bringing alcohol.

Note:
-First come, first serve.
-No dogs allowed in picnic areas/playgrounds.
-No reserving, or roping off spots.
-Decorations are to remain minimal. No confetti permitted.
-Nailing items to trees is prohibited.
-Open tents only, no larger than 10'x 10' (One per group permitted).
-Deposit hot coals in red trash cans only.
-No inflatables permitted in picnic areas.
Group Use Permits
A permit is required for groups of 50+ people: Free

A permit is required if you are entering with a bus: (the park will not be allowing/sell bus permits this season)
Commercial Bus: $80.00 / Non-Commercial Bus: $35.00
*non-commercial buses can only be purchased at LISP HQ, not at park on day of event.
Alcohol Permit
Beer or Wine only: $25.00
Park Use Permits
Permit required for any organized event or activity such as Walkathons, Religious Ceremonies, Wedding/Engagement Photos, Athletics/Sports, Environmental Studies, etc.

**All applications must be received at least 10 business days prior to the event
Boat Rental
Pedal Boats. Row Boats and Kayaks are $20/two hours (cash and credit card accepted)

See Pedal Boat/Row Boat/Kayak rental Info
Metal Detecting
By Permit Only: $40

Maps

Trail Map (pdf)

Additional Documents

Directions to Belmont Lake State Park (pdf)

Amenities Information

Amenities
Biking
Boat Rentals (Accessible) * Pedal boat, Rowboat, Kayaks
Equestrian Trails * Activity is done by Babylon Riding Stables.
Fishing
Food (Accessible)
Grills
Hiking
Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
Playgrounds (Accessible) * Playground #1 ages 2-5, Playground #2 ages 5-12
Playing Fields * Basketball, baseball, bocce ball & horseshoes

Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation