Bethpage State Park

Bethpage State Park: Where Championships Meet the Public

On Long Island’s suburban border between Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Bethpage State Park spans 1,477 acres of rolling terrain that house something extraordinary: five 18-hole championship golf courses open to the general public — including the legendary Black Course, widely considered one of the most challenging and prestigious public golf courses in the world.

This is the park where Tiger Woods won the 2002 U.S. Open — the first time a publicly owned and operated course hosted golf’s most demanding championship. The “People’s Open,” as it was called, changed American golf forever. Since then, the Black Course has hosted the 2009 U.S. Open, the 2019 PGA Championship, and will welcome the 2025 Ryder Cup — the first Ryder Cup ever played on a public course.

Park Facts at a Glance

The Five Golf Courses

Bethpage’s five courses were designed by some of the greatest architects in golf history. Together, they form the largest public golf complex in the United States.

Championship History

The Bethpage Black Course has hosted — and will continue to host — some of golf’s most prestigious events:

Golf Green Fees

Reservations: Black Course tee times are highly competitive. NY residents can book via automated phone reservation beginning at 7 PM the evening before. Non-residents can only book day-of. Arrive early — the lottery for walk-up spots can start before dawn.

Beyond Golf: Trails & Recreation

Bethpage isn’t just about golf. The park offers extensive recreational facilities across its nearly 1,500 acres:

• Bethpage Bikeway: 13.4-mile paved multi-use trail through the park and beyond
• Mountain Bike Trails: Beginner to intermediate singletrack, including “The Brickyard” and “Evil Friends Loop”
• Hiking Trails: Multiple loops from 2.5 to 8.6 miles through wooded terrain
• Bridle Paths: Equestrian trails throughout the park
• Tennis Courts: Multiple courts available seasonally
• Polo Fields: Bethpage Polo fields (one of the few public polo facilities on Long Island)
• Picnic Areas: Sheltered and open picnic grounds with grills
• Cross-Country Skiing: Trails available in winter

History

Bethpage State Park’s story begins with Benjamin Franklin Yoakum, a wealthy railroad executive who acquired 1,368 acres of Long Island farmland starting in 1912. In 1923, he hired architect Devereux Emmet to design an 18-hole golf course, which was leased to the exclusive Lenox Hills Country Club.

After Yoakum’s death in 1929, New York State acquired the property under the direction of Robert Moses, the legendary urban planner who shaped New York’s parks system. The state hired A.W. Tillinghast — one of the greatest golf course architects of all time, known for Winged Foot and Baltusrol — to design three additional courses. The park opened to the public in May 1934, transforming private estate land into a public recreation paradise.

Seasonal Guide

Budget Planner

Nearby Attractions

• Old Bethpage Village Restoration — Living history museum (adjacent)
• Jones Beach State Park — Atlantic Ocean beach, 20 miles south
• Fire Island National Seashore — Barrier island, 25 miles southeast
• Planting Fields Arboretum — 409-acre Gold Coast estate, 12 miles north
• New York City — LIRR direct to Penn Station, 35 miles west

Safety and Tips

• Black Course tee times: Call the automated line at 7 PM the night before (NY residents only). Non-residents must show up for walk-up spots — arrive by 4:30 AM on weekends
• Water: Carry water on all courses, especially the Black. It’s a walking-only course with significant elevation changes
• Ticks: Long Island has a significant deer tick population. Wear long pants on hiking trails and check for ticks after
• Trail rules: Mountain bikes on designated trails only, no e-bikes on singletrack
• GPS: Use “Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale, NY” not “Bethpage, NY” for navigation

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting There

Bethpage State Park is centrally located on Long Island:

• New York City: 35 miles east (45 min-1 hr via LIE)
• LIRR: Farmingdale station (Ronkonkoma branch), then taxi/rideshare
• Highways: LIE (I-495), Northern State Parkway, Southern State Parkway

Address: 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735

Written by

State Parks Team

Editorial Team

The America's State Parks Editorial Team has collectively explored 800+ state parks across all 50 states. Our park profiles are carefully researched using official state park data, verified visitor information, and first-hand observations from our writers and contributors. Each article is fact-checked against official sources and updated regularly to ensure accuracy. Our mission is to help every American discover the natural wonders in their own backyard.

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