Sunken Meadow Beach – Kings Park, Long Island

Sunken Meadow Beach is the main waterfront attraction at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park, on the North Shore of Long Island. The beach fronts the Long Island Sound, where generally calm water, a three-quarter-mile boardwalk and views toward Connecticut make it a popular destination for swimming, walking and family outings.

The broader state park includes beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails, athletic fields, a nature center, kayak access and a 27-hole golf facility, allowing visitors to combine a beach trip with several other types of outdoor recreation. Sunken Meadow State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Beach and Swimming

Swimming at Sunken Meadow takes place along designated sections of the Long Island Sound shoreline, including Main Beach at Field 1 and East Beach at Field 3. The relatively protected waters of the Sound generally provide a calmer swimming environment than Long Island’s Atlantic Ocean beaches.

For the 2026 season, supervised swimming is offered from late May into September, with hours varying by beach, date and day of the week. Visitors should confirm current lifeguard hours and beach conditions before traveling, particularly near the beginning and end of the season.

The park also provides beach mobility mats at Fields 1 and 3, along with beach wheelchairs that can be used on a first-come, first-served basis.

Boardwalk and Waterfront Views

A three-quarter-mile boardwalk follows the waterfront and is one of Sunken Meadow’s most recognizable features. It provides a level route for walking beside Long Island Sound and offers broad views across the water toward Connecticut on clear days.

Walking the boardwalk is popular throughout the year, not just during swimming season. Bicycling is also permitted during designated periods, although summer restrictions apply during the busiest beach months.

The combination of beach, boardwalk and open views gives Sunken Meadow a different character from many of the smaller municipal beaches along the North Shore.

Sunken Meadow Creek and Natural Areas

Beyond the developed beach areas, Sunken Meadow contains marshes, tidal flats, wooded hills and waterways that support a variety of plant and animal life. Sunken Meadow Creek flows through the park toward tidal flats near the mouth of the Nissequogue River, with three bridges crossing the creek.

The park’s terrain changes considerably away from the shoreline, transitioning from flat beachfront areas to wooded rolling hills. This variety helps make Sunken Meadow as much a nature destination as a traditional swimming beach.

The Sunken Meadow Nature Center, located in Field 1, offers educational programs focused on the plants, wildlife, geology, beaches, forests and marsh habitats associated with Long Island Sound. Programs are conducted throughout the year.

Hiking and Outdoor Recreation

Sunken Meadow offers hiking throughout the year on nature trails and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. The park serves as the northern terminus of the Greenbelt Trail, providing an important connection between the Long Island Sound shoreline and the Island’s larger trail network.

Visitors can also use athletic fields, playgrounds, basketball courts and open lawn areas. Picnicking is available year-round, and grills are provided in designated picnic areas in Fields 2 and 4.

Kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing can be launched from Field 3 from sunrise to sunset.

Golf at Sunken Meadow

Sunken Meadow State Park also contains a 27-hole golf facility divided among three nine-hole courses. The courses were designed by golf course architect Alfred Tull and make use of the park’s naturally hilly and wooded terrain.

The golf operation includes a driving range with panoramic views toward Long Island Sound, giving golfers another way to experience the park beyond its beaches and trails.

Picnicking and Family Activities

Sunken Meadow is one of Long Island’s major state-park destinations for family and group outings. Picnic areas, grills, playgrounds, open fields and shoreline recreation make it possible to spend much of the day within the park.

The park also has a reservable pavilion that can accommodate gatherings of up to 200 people. Larger organized groups and certain activities may require permits.

Parking and Entrance Fees

Sunken Meadow State Park is reached from the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, with the main entrance near Route 25A in Kings Park.

For the 2026 season, the standard vehicle-use fee is $10 per car during the main summer collection period from May 23 through September 11. Earlier spring dates carry an $8 fee on certain weekends and holidays, while fall weekend and holiday collection periods continue later in the year. The Empire Pass is also accepted for eligible day-use entry.

Because collection periods and fees can change from year to year, visitors should check New York State Parks before traveling.

Getting There

Sunken Meadow State Park is located at Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, NY 11754. The park office can be reached at 631-269-4333.

The direct parkway connection makes Sunken Meadow one of the more accessible North Shore state beaches for visitors traveling by car from other parts of Long Island.

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Sunken Meadow Beach in Kings Park

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Key Facts & Details

Detail	Information
Name	Sunken Meadow Beach
Park	Sunken Meadow State Park
Location	Kings Park, Suffolk County, Long Island
Waterfront	Long Island Sound
Address	Route 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, NY 11754
Swimming Areas	Main Beach, Field 1 and East Beach, Field 3
Boardwalk	Approximately 3/4 mile
Amenities	Beach, boardwalk, picnic areas, playgrounds, athletic fields, trails, nature center and showers
Water Recreation	Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding and windsurfing
Golf	27-hole golf facility
Park Hours	Sunrise to sunset, year-round
2026 Vehicle Fee	Generally $10 per car during the primary summer collection period
Park Office	631-269-4333
Managing Agency	New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

With a broad Long Island Sound beach, lengthy boardwalk, tidal marshes, hiking trails and extensive recreational facilities, Sunken Meadow Beach offers much more than a traditional day at the water. Its mix of swimming, scenic walking, nature, picnicking and outdoor recreation has made Sunken Meadow State Park one of the North Shore’s most substantial public waterfront destinations.