Heckscher State Park —
Your Complete Guide
1,600 acres on the Great South Bay in East Islip: bay beaches, shady picnic groves, a campground, waterfront cottages and the white-tailed deer.
What is Heckscher State Park?
Heckscher State Park is a 1,600-acre New York state park in East Islip on Long Island's south shore, facing the Great South Bay with Fire Island on the horizon. It is open sunrise to sunset every day of the year. In 2026 the car fee was $8, or $10 in midsummer, and the park offered two guarded bay beaches in summer, shady picnic groves, four miles of paved paths, a campground, waterfront cottages, a kayak launch and plenty of white-tailed deer.
NYS Parks says the park's shady picnic groves are what most visitors come for, with big open fields for soccer, cricket and lacrosse between them. The Southern State Parkway runs straight into the park as the Heckscher State Parkway, a one-way loop with eight numbered parking fields. The park is named for August Heckscher, whose donation let the state buy the land, and opened in 1929, according to the Friends of Heckscher State Park (history).
Two things to know before you go: the swimming pool is closed, so summer swimming is at the two bay beaches; and dogs are allowed only on a six-foot leash on the dog walking trail in the west woods, never on the beaches, picnic areas or campground. Looking for the art museum and the July 4 concerts? That is Heckscher Park in Huntington, a different park.
Heckscher State Park at a Glance
What to Do at Heckscher State Park
NYS Parks lists picnicking, bay swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, biking, fishing, disc golf, field sports, camping and nature watching.
Bay Beaches
West Beach (Field 6) daily and Overlook Beach (Field 8) on weekends in summer, on the calm Great South Bay.
Beach Hours →Camping
69 wooded campsites north of the parkway, open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Book on ReserveAmerica.
The Campground →Waterfront Cottages
15 three-season cottages on Nicoll's Bay with kitchens and screened porches, for 2 to 6 people.
Cottages & Prices →Picnics & Pavilions
Shady groves open all year, plus 3 pavilions for 400 to 500 people ($250 to $375).
Reserve a Pavilion →Kayaking & Fishing
Paddle the Great South Bay from Field 7; fish and crab at the Field 5 boat basin.
Launch at Field 7 →Deer & Wildlife
The "Home of the White-Tailed Deer," with woods, wetlands and bay shore for birds.
Wildlife Guide →Trails at Heckscher
Flat and easy: four miles of paved paths, unpaved foot paths in the woods, and the southern end of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail.
Multi-use path linking the picnic fields, the bay shore, the cottages and the campground.
Runs past the campground and along Nicoll's Bay in front of the cottages to the bay shore.
The only part of the park where leashed dogs may go. Park behind Field 4 in summer, in Field 5 otherwise.
How to Get to Heckscher State Park
Drive to the end of the Southern State Parkway; pay at the fee booth; pick a parking field.
By Car
About 50 miles from Manhattan at the end of the Southern State Parkway. Parking guide.
Which Field?
Field 6 for West Beach, Field 8 for Overlook Beach, Field 7 for kayaks, Field 5 for the boat launch. Park map.
Park Office
Heckscher Parkway, Field 1, East Islip, NY 11730. Phone (631) 581-2100.
Nearby
Just north of the park, Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a 691-acre state park estate on the Connetquot River, with a furnished Manor House and the Hidden Oak Café. Beyond it, Connetquot River State Park Preserve has 50 miles of trails and fly fishing by reservation, but no dogs, bikes or picnics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Heckscher State Park?
There is a vehicle use fee in season. In 2026 it was $8 a car, rising to $10 from June 27 to September 7, and $35 for buses. An Empire Pass ($80 a season) covers the car fee.
What are Heckscher State Park's hours?
Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, all year. The beaches, campground and cottages have their own seasons.
Does Heckscher State Park have a beach?
Yes, two bay beaches on the Great South Bay: West Beach at Field 6 (2026: June 27 to September 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) and Overlook Beach at Field 8 (June 27 to August 9, weekends and holidays). The pool is closed.
Are dogs allowed at Heckscher State Park?
Only on a leash of 6 feet or less, on the undeveloped trails west of the toll booths (the dog walking trail). Dogs are not allowed on the beaches, in picnic areas, in the campground or on paved walks.
Can you camp at Heckscher State Park?
Yes. The 69-site campground was open May 22 to September 6 in 2026, and 15 waterfront cottages rent from late April to mid-October. Book both on ReserveAmerica.
Is Heckscher State Park the same as Heckscher Park?
No. Heckscher Park is an 18-acre town park in Huntington village with the Heckscher Museum of Art. Heckscher State Park is the 1,600-acre state park in East Islip.