Jones Beach State Park
Update 9/14/23- Beach Swimming Suspended
Beach swimming is currently suspended due to rough surf conditions.
2400 Ocean Parkway
Wantagh, NY 11793
- General Information: (516) 785-1600
NOTICE: Please be aware that abandoning or feeding cats within this park is strictly prohibited. Violators face serious penalties.
Notice: No Pets Allowed All Year Round
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center Programs
The park's oceanfront setting and natural environment have little development or advertising, creating a refreshing break from the hectic pace of life of Long Island and the metropolitan area. Less than 20 miles from New York City, Jones Beach is a playground for millions of people who live nearby.
The park is host to a number of popular programs, most notably the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach every Memorial Day weekend, July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, concerts at the theater, band shell entertainment, softball and volleyball league tournaments, and nature center programs. The Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center explores the relationships between human beings, energy systems, and environmental stewardship. Located on the West End of Long Island's iconic Jones Beach State Park, the Center offers permanent and rotating exhibits, public programs, and educational resources to help visitors understand and appreciate the coastal environment.
Jones Beach State Park and Jones Island which stretches east of the park were the creation of master builder Robert Moses in the 1920s. By dredging sand from what is now the State Boat Channel, Moses raised the elevation of the barrier islands by fourteen feet, connecting several small islands into one long stretch topped by Ocean Parkway. Moses created a great "people's park" from what he described as mosquito infested swamps and small islands.
Today, parking fields 3, 4 and 5 are connected to the beachfront by tunnels under Ocean Parkway, providing easy access to the thousands of people who arrive daily. Parking fields 1, 2 and 6 are Oceanfront parking areas with accessible parking. Mobility mats over the sand down to the high tide line are located at Field 6, Zach's Bay, Central Mall, West bathhouse, and Field 2. At field 10, fishing piers and a fully equipped bait and tackle shop enable fishing and crabbing until sunset. The regional Night Fishing Permit is required after sunset. The Central Mall Area of the park closes at midnight during the summer months with the beachfront closing at sunset. Swimming is allowed only when lifeguards are on duty. Surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, and wind surfing are allowed at several locations along the beachfront. Kayaks and sailboards can be put in at field 10 along the north shore of Jones Beach. The boat basin in the west end area of the park allows boaters day use of the park throughout the boating season.
Those who wish to ride their bikes may do so year-round on our boardwalk. Glide along the beach on Long Island's premier bike path, which begins at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford. From there it's a 5.4 mile ride to Jones Beach's East Bathhouse on the Boardwalk. There you can either lock up your bike for a stroll, or keep cycling to the food concessions. Or stay on the extension on the north side of Ocean Parkway to pedal another 3.6 miles to Tobay Beach where there are more restaurant and a playground. You can also continue along the path 9.4 miles to Captree State Park. Restrooms are available on the bikeway at mileage 5.4 to 9. If you choose to stay the path of the 2 mile long boardwalk, the new multi-use path extends from the boardwalk at Field 1 to the West End area of the park for an additional 2.3 miles.
Visitors who are fond of swimming in the Ocean can do so at several locations staffed by the Jones Beach Lifeguard Corps. Zach's Bay provides a more calm-water swimming experience for small children; also watched over by able lifeguards.
Wild Play Adventure Course: This new adventure course offers zip lines, aerial adventures, and a 40 ft jump. For hours and pricing visit https://wildplay.com/jones-beach/ or call: 1-800-668-7771
Swimmers with mobility impairments can take advantage of the Beach Wheel Chairs enabling entry across the sand and into the water (at Zach's Bay only). The wheelchair is available for use at no charge on a first come, first serve basis. Please check with the lifeguards or Umbrella Shack Attendants at the beach for availability.
Birders and those seeking a quieter experience can watch for sea birds, such as Oystercatchers, Terns, Skimmers, Northern Harrier Hawks, Plovers, Brants, Gulls, and many more. Children can collect shells along the seashore and often encounter large horseshoe crabs. A pleasant pastime is a long, leisurely walk on the beach to the east or west of the central part of the park, where few other people will be encountered.
For information on the Jones Beach State Park's Revitalization Plan: See the draft conceptual proposal.
Current Water Quality - Beach Results
NO Pets Allowed
Pet Policy: No pets allowed
Hours of Operation
Ocean Swimming:
Parking Field 1: 6/24-9/4
6/24-8/13: 10am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
8/14-9/4: 10am-7pm Sat, Sun, & HolidaysParking Field 2: 5/27-8/4
5/26-6/23: 10am-6pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
6/24-8/13: 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
8/14-9/4: 9am-7pm Daily
9/9-9/17: 9am-6pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays- Parking Field 6: 5/26-9/17/235/26-6/2/23: 9am-5pm Daily6/3-6/23/23: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays6/24-8/13/23: 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays8/14-9/4/23: 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays9/5-9/17/23: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
- West Bathhouse Beach: 5/27-9/17/235/27-5/29 (Memorial Day Weekend): 9am-5pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays6/3-6/23: 10am-6pm Daily6/24-8/13: 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays8/14-9/4: 10am-7pm Daily9/9-9/11,9/17 & 9/18: 10am-6pm Sat & Sun
- Central Mall: 5/26-9/175/26-6/4: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays6/5-6/23: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays6/24-8/13: 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays8/14-9/4: 9am-7pm Daily9/5-9/17: 10am-6pm Daily
- East Bathhouse Beach: 5/27-9/4/235/27-6/23: 10am-6pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays6/24-9/4: 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm Sat, Sun, & HolidaysZach's Bay: 5/27-9/4/235/27-5/29: 9am-6pm Sat & Sun (Air Show)6/24-8/18: 10am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays8/19-9/4: 10am-7pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
Paddle Ball, Shuffleboard, Bocce Ball, Corn Hole, Table Tennis, Pickle Ball, & Volleyball:
- 4/1-5/26: 10am-4pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
- 5/27-6/23: 10am-4pm Daily
- 6/24-9/4: 10am-11pm Daily
- 9/5-10/30: 10am-4pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
- Central Mall & Zach's Bay Playground: Year round, sunrise-sunset.
West Bathhouse Pool:
- 6/24-9/4:
- 10am-6pm, Mon-Fri
- 9am-8pm Sat, Sun, & Holidays
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center:
- At West End II- East Parking Lot
- Open Daily 9am-4:30pm (Thursdays open late until 8pm)
- Website: JonesBeachENC.org
- Phone Number: 516-809-8222
- Miniature Golf:
- 4/1-5/26: 10am-4pm*, Sat, Sun, & Holidays
- 5/27-6/23: 10am-4pm*, daily
- 6/24-9/4: 10am-11pm*, daily
- 9/5-10/30: 10am- 4pm* Sat, Sun, & Holidays
- *Last tee off time
- Biking on Boardwalk: Year Round. Free.
- West End Marina: 4/1-12/31, sunrise - sunset, daily.
West End Marina Boat Docking: 6/24-9/4/23: Sat, Sun & Hol.; Transient Berthing: Sunrise - sunset. - Fishing at Field #6, Field #10 and West End 2: 4/1-12/31.
Permit needed for night fishing and fishing access to Green Island and the Work Docks.January Fishing at Green Island ONLY - Parking:Parking Field 16/24-9/4/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Sat, Sun, & HolidaysParking Field 25/26-9/4/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Sat, Sun, & HolidaysParking Field 3: open as needed overflow parking.
- Parking Field 51/1-6/23/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Daily (special events only)6/24-9/4/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Daily (open until 9 pm on concert evening)
- Parking Field 41/1-6/23/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Daily6/24-9/4/23: Sunrise-Midnight, Daily9/5-12/31/23: Sunrise-Sunset, Daily
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
- $8 per car (4/1 - 5/26/23) & (9/11 - 11/5/23)*
*Increases to $10 when beach is open (5/27 - 9/10/23)
Non-Profit Buses (By permit only) $35
Commercial Buses $75
Bus permits issued through Babylon Permit Office only. Bus permits not sold at Jones Beach.
Fees Collected:4/1 - 5/26/23: Weekends Only, 8am-4pm5/27 - 8/13: Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm, Weekends & Holidays, 6am - 6pm8/14 - 9/4: Mon-Fri, 8am - 4pm, Weekends & Holidays, 7am - 6pm9/5 - 9/10: Daily, 8am - 4pm9/11 - 9/17: Weekends & Holidays, 8am - 4pm9/18 - 11/5: Weekends & Holidays, 8am - 3pm - Boat Docking
- $10 per day
- Rentals
- Lounge Chair Rentals
Available 5/29 - 9/18
$15 Rental
Umbrella Rentals
Available 5/29 - 9/18
$15 fee
Volleyball Court Rental
Available Memorial Day to Labor Day
$15 per court - Permits
- 4 Wheel Drive Night Sport Fishing Permit:(there are no drive on locations at Jones Beach)
NYS Driver's License $80
Out of State Driver's License $125
Metal Detecting:
By permit only $40
Night Sport Fishing Permit:
NYS Driver's License $35
Out of State Driver's License $60
7 Day Sport Fishing Permit $25
Regional Diving Permit:
NYS Driver's License $80
Out of State Driver's License $125
Star Gazing Permit:
NYS Driver's License $35
Out of State Driver's License $60 - Activities
Bocce Ball, Corn Hole, Table Tennis (East Games):
Bocce: $10 playing fee per person (per hour, per court)
Corn Hole & Table Tennis: $5 playing fee per person (per hour, per court)
Miniature Golf:
Adults (13+): $7 per person
Children (5-12): $3 per person
Children under 5: FreeShuffleboard (East & West Games):
$8 - Playing fee per person (per hour, per court)Paddle Tennis and Pickleball (West Games):
$6 - playing fee per person (per hour, per court)EAST AND WEST GAMES: Pay one Price: one day $40 for 4 people (excludes volleyball)
- West Bathhouse Pool
- $5/adult
$3/Seniors (62) M-F
$5/Seniors SSH
$3/child
Children under 5: free
West Bathhouse Pool Locker Rentals:
$5 fee - Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center
- Free Admission
Public Program Fee: $4 per person
Private Program Fee: Please send an email to jbenc@parks.ny.gov to inquire
Realtime Parking Assistant
Jones Beach View Park Map
Current Parking Availablity
| Parking Lot | % Full | Last Updated On |
|---|
Current Traffic Report: Moderate to Heavy
Please watch for signs that will help direct you to the quickest route to the park.
Maps
Additional Documents
Amenities Information
- Amenities
- Fishing (Accessible)
- Food (Accessible)
- Gift Shop (Accessible)
- Marina
- Nature Center
- Playgrounds (Accessible)
- Showers (Accessible)
- Stand-up Paddle Boarding
- Surfing/Windsurfing
- Swimming Beach (Accessible)
- Swimming Pool (Accessible)
- Visitor Center (Accessible)