The Bike Path

Heckscher State Park has four miles of paved, multi-use path, which NYS Parks says "attract bicycle riders, walkers, and nature lovers." The state's site map draws it as one connected route: down from the north entrance past Fields 2 and 1, around the inside of the parkway loop, along the bay shore past the beaches, up the east side by the cottages and over to the campground. It is flat and paved, good for children and casual riders, and shared with people on foot.

The Route

Following the yellow bike path on NYS Parks' 2023 site map:

1. North entrance to Field 2. The path starts near the traffic circle by the fee booth and runs south to Field 2.
2. Fields 2 and 1. It passes the picnic pavilions and the park office.
3. The loop. From Field 1 it follows the inside of the parkway loop south and east.
4. The bay shore. It meets the shore by the old pool complex between Fields 6 and 7, and runs east along the bay past Field 7 toward Field 8 and Overlook Beach.
5. The east side. It runs north beside the park loop on the Nicoll's Bay side, inland of the cottages.
6. The campground. A branch runs north across the parkway to the campground.

There is no single official loop name or mileage per section; NYS Parks gives four miles for the paved paths in total.

Where to Park

Field 1 and Field 2 sit right on the path and are central. Field 6 is the choice if you want to pair a ride with West Beach. Campers can ride straight out of the campground. See parking.

Rules for Cyclists

• Ride in a way that does not endanger other people; state park rules ban operating any wheeled vehicle so as to endanger people or property.
• The path is shared with walkers and runners: slow down and give a call before passing.
• Keep to paved paths and park roads; state rules allow use only of established ways.
• NYS Parks' Long Island region publishes a Safe Bike Rules sheet; read it before your first ride.
• Children under 10 must be supervised.

E-bikes

NYS Parks' Heckscher page does not address e-bikes. Ask the park office at (631) 581-2100 before bringing one.

Bikes Elsewhere Nearby

• Connetquot River State Park Preserve does not allow bicycling at all.
• Bayard Cutting Arboretum is a garden for walking; ride at Heckscher, then visit by car.

Pair a Ride With

• A swim at West Beach or Overlook Beach.
• A picnic at the Field 1 and Field 4 groves (picnic areas).
• A walk on the Greenbelt Trail, which runs near the path on the east side and at the campground.