Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Long Island is noted for its beaches, golf courses, arboretums and grand estates attracting millions of visitors annually to its state parks and historic sites.

Jones Beach State Park, famous for its landmark water tower and popular sandy beach, is the most celebrated of the many parks on Long Island. The Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center features exhibits on beach ecology. Golfers can choose among five championship courses at the renowned Bethpage State Park or opt to hit the links at Montauk Downs State Park. Nissequogue River State Park connects with Sunken Meadow State Park allowing visitors to explore 153 riverfront acres of trails, saltwater wetlands and wildlife habitats. 

Visitors can surf cast for striped bass at Camp Hero State Park. The boat basin at Captree State Park is popular with charter boats, and Connetquot River State Park Preserve is a favorite spot for fly fishermen.  Anglers can also enjoy some of the best surf fishing in the world at Montauk Point State Park, where tides from the Atlantic and Block Island Sound converge. 

Hither Hills State Park campground delivers a one-of-a-kind ocean-front camping experience so popular that you should reserve a spot early.  If you prefer a shaded woodland campsite, try Wildwood State Park where the campground is nestled on the headland overlooking the cool waters of Long Island Sound. 

The sweeping lawns, formal gardens and 65-room Tudor-style Gold Coast mansion of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park will take visitors back to an age of splendor and beauty, and literature buffs can glimpse into the past of American poet Walk Whitman at the Walt Whitman Birthplace.  Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve offers environmental programs, hiking, fishing, and biking on the formal Marshall Field III estate.  

Long Island State Park Permits

The Long Island Regional Permit Department Office is located at the Long Island State Park Headquarters 625 Belmont Avenue, W. Babylon, NY and is open from 9:00am to 4:45pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

The Permit Department acts as the liaison between patrons and Park Management. Specific events or activities require a permit in order to take place within a State Park. Permits are required for activities such as group picnics, commercial filming and photography, walk-a-thons, and league play. In addition to issuing permits, the permit office is open to the public for the sale of Empire Passes and Special Use Permits.

For questions or more details regarding a permit, please call (631) 321-3515 or email LongIslandPermits@parks.ny.gov  **Please be aware that due to the high number of permit applications received, it may take several weeks to receive your permit in the mail.  We are processing permits as quickly as we can in the order they are received.  

2021 Long Island Dashboard Permit - SOLD OUT

**Deadline to apply was 7:00PM EST, March 31^st, 2021** 

2021 Annual Caumsett Fishing Permit - SOLD OUT
*LIMITED TO THE FIRST 500 APPLICANTS*

2021 Long Island Pavilion Rentals

Reservations for Long Island Pavilions will open Monday, April 5th at 9:00 AM EST on ReserveAmerica, https://www.reserveamerica.com/ or by calling 800-456-2267. There will be no in person reservations this year.

 

COVID restrictions may impact the size of group gatherings. Current capacity limits are a maximum of 200 people, except for Orient Beach which has a maximum of 120 people. Pavilion rentals must be in accordance with county, state, and CDC policies in place on the day of your reservation.

 

Reservable picnic pavilions are located at the following Long Island State Parks for the 2021 season, with the following restrictions:

• Belmont Lake State Park - No sound systems / DJ's / amplified sound. No buses.
• Bethpage State Park - No electricity.
• Heckscher State Park
• Orient Beach State Park - Weekdays only, not available on holidays.
• Sunken Meadow State Park (Field # 4) - Weekdays only, not available on holidays. No pony rides, inflatables, sound systems / DJ's / amplified sound.
• Valley Stream State Park - Weekdays only, not available on holidays. No sound systems / DJ's / amplified sound.
• *Please note, there will be no Hempstead Lake pavilion rentals for the 2021 season.

 

For additional information, please call the Regional Permit Office at 631-321-3515.

• Phone: (631) 669-1000