Parking & Directions

Heckscher State Park is in East Islip on Long Island's south shore, at the end of the Southern State Parkway: the road continues as the Heckscher State Parkway straight into the park, about 50 miles from Manhattan. You pay at the fee booth on the parkway, then choose one of eight numbered Parking Fields. In 2026 the vehicle use fee was $8 a car for most of the season and $10 from June 27 to September 7; an Empire Pass covers it.

Driving In

Take the Southern State Parkway east to its end. NYS Parks' kayak guide puts the park about 50 miles from Manhattan "at the end of the Southern State Parkway. Follow signs to park entrance." The parkway becomes the Heckscher State Parkway, passes the contact station (fee booth) north of a traffic circle, and then splits into a one-way loop road around the park. Every parking field opens off that loop. The official address for GPS is Heckscher Parkway, Field 1, East Islip, NY 11730.

Which Parking Field to Use

• Field 1: the park office, with a picnic area, a pavilion, the gazebo and a softball field close by.
• Field 2: a picnic pavilion and restrooms, just south of the parkway.
• Field 3: a picnic pavilion, playground, softball field and restrooms in the north-west; the disc golf course starts nearby.
• Field 4: a picnic pavilion, picnic area, playground and restrooms. In summer, dog walkers park behind Field 4.
• Field 5: the boat launch and fishing and crabbing area on the boat basin, with restrooms and a boardwalk. Dog walkers park here from Labor Day to Memorial Day.
• Field 6: West Beach, the concession stand, a playground and restrooms.
• Field 7: the launch for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on the Great South Bay.
• Field 8: Overlook Beach and restrooms, at the east end of the bay shore.

The campground and the cottages have their own parking: the campground off its access road north of the parkway, the cottages in six small lots on the east side of the loop.

2026 Parking Fees

NYS Parks charges a vehicle use fee only in season and only during staffed hours:

• April 4 to May 17: $8 a car, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and holidays.
• May 23 to June 26: $8 a car, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends and holidays.
• June 27 to September 7: $10 a car, same hours.
• September 12 to October 12: $8 a car, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and holidays.
• Buses: $35.

Outside those dates and hours the state lists no fee. An Empire Pass waives the fee for one car at a time. See hours and fees for the rest of the price list.

Busy Days

Google searches for Heckscher peak from June to August. Summer weekends bring the beach, picnic and campground crowds at once, so arrive early if you want a field close to West Beach.

Accessibility

NYS Parks lists an accessible swimming beach, playground, fishing area, boat launch, pavilions, campsites and cottages at Heckscher. For details, call the park office at (631) 581-2100.

Walking and Cycling In

The Long Island Greenbelt Trail ends at Heckscher, entering from the north beside the campground and following Nicoll's Bay. The park's paved bike path links the north entrance area with the fields and beaches. See hiking and biking.