Amsterdam Beach State Park

Amsterdam Beach State Park is a largely undeveloped coastal preserve in Montauk, protecting nearly 200 acres of oceanfront habitat between Shadmoor State Park and the eastern reaches of Montauk. The park is known for its wooded trails, wetlands, ponds, coastal bluffs, wildlife habitat, and more than 1,200 feet of frontage along the Atlantic Ocean.

Unlike Montauk’s more developed parks and beaches, Amsterdam Beach is intentionally quiet and minimally developed. There are no major recreation facilities, concession areas, or large parking fields. Visitors generally come to hike, observe wildlife, enjoy the coastal landscape, and reach a remote stretch of shoreline that remains largely free of development.

Trails Through the Montauk Moorlands

The preserve is part of the landscape commonly known as the Montauk Moorlands, an area characterized by rolling terrain, maritime vegetation, wetlands, and coastal forest. A trail network completed after the property became parkland allows visitors to cross the preserve and reach the Atlantic shoreline.

The walk to the beach passes through a mix of wooded and open habitat, including areas of American holly, black cherry, shadbush, highbush blueberry, arrowwood, and other native vegetation. The trail eventually reaches elevated coastal terrain overlooking the ocean before descending toward the beach.

A Remote Atlantic Shoreline

Amsterdam Beach State Park contains approximately 1,288 feet of Atlantic Ocean frontage. Reaching the shoreline requires a hike, which helps preserve the beach’s quieter and more isolated character compared with easily accessible ocean beaches elsewhere in Montauk.

The shoreline can be sandy or rocky depending on tides, storms, and erosion. From the coastal bluffs and beach, visitors can experience broad ocean views and a relatively undeveloped section of the South Fork coastline. There are no conventional beach facilities, so visitors should be prepared for a more natural and self-contained outing.

Wetlands and Wildlife

More than 50 acres of the preserve consist of tidal and freshwater wetlands, and several ponds are located within the property. These habitats, combined with maritime forest and shoreline, support a diverse range of wildlife.

Species documented within the preserve include northern harriers, Cooper’s hawks, spotted turtles, shorebirds, migratory birds traveling along the Atlantic Flyway, and amphibians including the protected blue-spotted salamander. The park’s conservation value was one of the principal reasons the property was preserved rather than developed.

Preserving Nearly 200 Acres of Montauk

The first major portion of the property, approximately 122 acres, was acquired for preservation in 2005 after years of concern over the future of one of Montauk’s largest remaining undeveloped tracts. New York State, Suffolk County, the Town of East Hampton, and federal funding all contributed to the purchase.

An additional approximately 77 acres of neighboring land were acquired in 2008, bringing the protected area to about 199 acres. The property is jointly associated with New York State, Suffolk County, and the Town of East Hampton and is also commonly referred to as the Amsterdam Beach Preserve.

Visiting Amsterdam Beach State Park

Amsterdam Beach State Park is located in Montauk and is open year-round. Access is primarily oriented toward hiking and nature exploration rather than conventional beach recreation. Visitors should expect limited facilities and should carry what they need for the walk to and from the shoreline.

Dogs are permitted throughout Amsterdam Beach State Park under current New York State Parks dog-walking guidance, subject to applicable leash and pet-control rules. Trail and shoreline conditions can change because of weather, erosion, vegetation, and seasonal wildlife concerns, so visitors should follow posted restrictions.

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Amsterdam Beach State Park

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Key Facts & Details

Feature	Details
Location	Montauk, Suffolk County, New York
Region	South Fork, East End of Long Island
Park Size	Approximately 199 acres
Shoreline	Approximately 1,288 feet along the Atlantic Ocean
Park Type	Undeveloped coastal state park and natural preserve
Natural Features	Coastal bluffs, ocean beach, ponds, maritime vegetation, and approximately 54 acres of tidal and freshwater wetlands
Popular Activities	Hiking, beach walking, birdwatching, wildlife observation, photography, and nature exploration
Beach Access	Reached primarily by hiking through the preserve
Facilities	Limited; the preserve is intentionally undeveloped
Established	Initial property acquired in 2005; additional acreage acquired in 2008
Pets	Dogs permitted park-wide subject to current New York State Parks rules
Phone	(631) 668-3781
Nearby Parks	Shadmoor State Park, Camp Hero State Park, and Montauk Point State Park
Official Information	New York State Parks, Long Island Region

Amsterdam Beach State Park preserves one of Montauk’s larger remaining stretches of undeveloped coastal land. Its wooded trails, wetlands, wildlife habitat, ocean bluffs, and remote Atlantic shoreline make it especially appealing to visitors who want to experience the natural side of Montauk away from the area’s busier beaches and attractions.