A Family Holiday in the Belmont Lake State Park, Long Island

Long Island has for very long been a favorite with families and picnic goers. With over 26 national parks, various amusement parks and museums, the entire island is a treasure trove, waiting to be explored.

If you happen to be in Long Island with your family, don’t miss out on the Belmont Lake State Park which is famed for its picturesque lakeside location and family friendly atmosphere. The park is open all 365 days in the year and opens at sunrise.

Location: The Park covers an area of over 400 acres and is located in Suffolk County. A 42 mile drive from Manhattan on the Exit 38 will bring you to this recreation spot. Alternatively, visitors driving from Babylon and Belmont Avenue can take Route 231 and Route 27 respectively.

About the Park: The Park is almost considered as a second home by the residents of Babylon and has been the same for over 7 decades. In summer, the park tends to get crowded with a fair number of locals and tourists alike scrounging the spot for picnics, boating and engaging in various recreational activities offered by the Park.

Formerly a breeding ground for pure bred horses, the Park now belongs to the Long Island State Park Commission and serves as a headquarters for the same.  The area is dotted with picnic tables, barbeque grills, playgrounds, ball fields, bike paths, scenic lakes, nature trails and horse shoe courts. Apart from all this, families will definitely enjoy walking through the Oak Pine Land which is touted to be one of the best areas in the whole of the US.

Need to know facts: A onetime non refundable fee needs to be paid upon entering the park. Those traveling by cars need to pay 6 dollars while travel and commercial buses need to pay 35 dollars and 75 dollars respectively.

Those who love treasure hunting can carry a metal detector into the park but need to pay about 40 dollars in addition to having a permit. A caution deposit of 10 dollars needs to be paid for boating with the exception of paying an additional 10 dollars on hiring a row boat or a pedal boat. Pets are not allowed in the Park with the exception of dogs which have to be tied to a leash. However, dogs are not allowed in walkways and picnic areas.

Recreational Activities: One of the reasons Belmont Lake State Park is quite popular is because of the never ending list of things you can do there.  Everyone from the elderly folk to the teenagers and children are kept entertained with a horde of activities he/she can partake in.

There are 3 softball fields in addition and various playgrounds in the region. Visitors can enjoy walking in the 2 mile trails, surrounded by lush greenery and wonderful scenery. Horseback riding is quite popular and there are several 2 mile horseshoe trails complete with stables for the sport.

Biking and cycling around the lake is a wonderful activity and it is not uncommon to find numerous people whiz past the walkers. The more adventurous visitors find solace in the nearby mountains to which hiking expeditions are arranged frequently.

If the land activities tend to bore you, why not head out to the alluring waters of the lake? Boating in these waters is a pleasure and there’s always a fair crowd of people waiting for their turn to go boating. You can choose from the pedal boat or the rowboat which is better if you want to get some exercise.

Fishing is a favorite pastime with people who love to show off their catch. The park offers freshwater fishing in the months of July and August from the lakeshore. In addition to this, in the months of June to September, there are a fair number of people who indulge in largemouth bass fishing from aboard rowboats.

You can’t miss out on the park which is visible from the Southern State Parkway. As you drive by, stop for a while and get in touch with Mother Nature and her wonderful creation. A wonderful sunny day by the lake, with your friends and family close by, just lazing around or joining in the fun, what more could you ask for in a peaceful holiday?