Sunken Meadow State Park

⛳ Trusted Guide to Long Island’s North Shore Gem – Updated 2025

Bluffs, Beach, and Boardwalk on the Sound

On the north shore of Long Island in Smithtown, Suffolk County, Sunken Meadow State Park (officially Governor Alfred E. Smith State Park) fills 1,287 acres with three miles of Long Island Sound beaches, glacier-formed bluffs, a scenic ¾-mile boardwalk, and a 27-hole golf course. The park’s varied topography — from flat saltwater marshes to 200-foot wooded hills — makes it one of Long Island’s most diverse outdoor spaces. As the northern terminus of the 31-mile Long Island Greenbelt Trail, it connects beachgoers with serious hikers in one remarkable park.

Beaches & Boardwalk

• 3 miles of beach: Calm Long Island Sound waters — family-friendly swimming with lifeguards in season
• ¾-mile boardwalk: Scenic walk along the shore — spectacular at sunset
• Glacier-formed bluffs: Dramatic cliffs at the western end of the shoreline

Trails & Golf

• 6 miles of trails: Hiking, biking, and horseback riding through varied terrain
• Greenbelt Trail: The 31-mile Long Island Greenbelt starts here and runs south to Heckscher State Park
• “Cardiac Hill”: Challenging wooded climb popular with trail runners and mountain bikers
• 27-hole golf course: 9 or 18 holes through mature woodlands — driving range and putting green included

Practical Tips

• From NYC (50 miles): Take Northern State Parkway or LIE to Sunken Meadow Parkway North to the park
• Entry fee: $8 per vehicle (seasonal — weekends April-November, daily Memorial Day-Labor Day)
• Parking fills early on summer weekends — arrive before noon or come after 3 PM
• The golf course is open year-round (weather permitting) — call for tee times
• Fall foliage on the bluff trails is spectacular in October
• Combine with a Greenbelt Trail section hike south through Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

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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