Sunken Meadow Park took its name from the low meadowland which separates the narrow sandy beach from the uplands. Sunken Meadow State Park, also known as Governor Alfred E. Smith State Park, is a 1,287-acre state park located in the Town of Smithtown in Suffolk County, New York on the north shore of Long Island.
Sunken Meadow State Park offers a plethora of activities. In the summer the beach has lifeguards, showers, pavilion with food, and music. From field 3 at the eastern part of the park people launch windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. Many people enjoy walking the 3/4 mile boardwalk along the beach.
There are seasonal parking fees which vary by location. From 4/4-5/24, 8am-4pm, weekends and holidays: $8/car. From 5/25-9/13, 7am-6pm weekends and holidays; 8am-4pm: $10/car.
Sunken Meadow contains many open field areas where people enjoy sports along with picnics. Sunken Meadow is among the most popular picnic park on Long Island. You will find grills and many picnic tables throughout the park.
Sunken Meadow Park features a 27 hole golf course. Golfers can expect a somewhat hilly and variable layout surrounded by mature woodlands, offering an attractive and relaxing experience for their golf round. In addition to the beautiful woodland setting, Sunken Meadow’s driving range offers expansive panoramic views of the Long Island Sound.
The topography of Sunken Meadow Park varies between flat open fields to “cardiac hill” in the woods. The park is the northern end of the Long Island Greenbelt trail for hiking. To reach the hiking trails from parking field 1 or 3 there are bridges that stretch over Sunken Meadow Creek as it runs from the inside of the park to tidal flats at the mouth of the Nissequogue river. To the south of the creek are heavily wooded areas with hills and trails.
Sunken Meadow Trail can be found on the All Trails App. This is a 3.7 mile loop trail which can be added to or shortened. Park towards the middle of field 3. You will see a bridge over the creek from the parking lot. Once you cross the bridge turn left. You can take the trail high above the water or walk along with water. It was low tide when we were there so we walked along the beach. Once you reach close to the parking lot you will head south into the woods. Follow the trail on the all trails app for the 3.7 mile route or create your own.
Once you pass the picnic area you will head back into the woods up a steady incline. This is “cardiac hill” and it is part of the high school cross country route. It brought back HORRIBLE memories of racing up cardiac and feeling like I would pass out. As you go up the hill you will see rocks painted with words of encouragement. I have to say it’s not so bad when you are on a leisurely hike but it was brutal in the middle of a 5k race.
Sunken Meadow Park is about an hour drive from Brooklyn. Spend a summer day walking the boardwalk and swimming in the Long Island Sound. Take a hike on one of the many hiking trails, walk the beach along the creek, walk into the woods, and have a picnic at the park.
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Purchase an Empire Pass so you don’t have to pay the fee every time you enter the park. If you visit every weekend during the season it pays for itself.