State Parks in the Long Island Region

The Long Island region of New York is rich with nature's gift and it shared nature's blessings to everyone through its beautiful camping grounds and state parks. By offering an alternative for all peoples to escape from the busy streets of New York with the hectic and monotonous schedules of the office and the house, Long Island becomes the favorite vacation place for families and individuals to enjoy and relax. Particularly the Long Island State Parks offers a favorable place where you can unwind, enjoy the scenic beauty of nature or just free your mind from anything. There are more or less 20 parks in Long Island but here are the most recommended ones as reviewed by local and foreign visitors who had been there already, which on the other hand, is estimated to be more or less 20 million each year.

1. First and foremost is the Jones Beach State Park. This is referred to as one of the best parks in the country. It has more than 6 mi stretch of beaches and white sand with 2 mi boardwalk, this also is Long Island region's most visited park. Apart from enjoying Atlantic Ocean scenery while enjoying a meal from its Boardwalk Restaurant, Jones Beach boasts of its full amenities such as games area, swimming pools, pitch-putt golf arena, 14,000-seater amphitheater, new beach volleyball courts, the famous "Castles in the Sand" historical display and soon, the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center. It also offers excellent birding, boating and fishing activities. Not to mention an outstanding fireworks display on the 4th of July celebrations. With these, no doubt that it had proven to be one of the best vacationing places in the region.

2. The Belmont Lake State Park in Babylon is another family haven for its fun-filled family oriented activities like hiking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and skiing in winter. It also has basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and a wide field to play many outdoor activities for the family. Another good thing about this park is that it allows pet dogs but these pets should be leashed away from the walkways and buildings.

3. Situated at Montauk is Camp Here State Park. Like the Jones beach part it also has a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. One unique feature of the park is a historic military base. You and your dogs on a leash are welcome all year round to enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and many other enjoyable games and activities in this park at Long Island. Winter games like skiing are also offered during the season.

3. Another good park is the Heckscher State Park at East Islip. In 2005 made its way as the country's top 100 campgrounds. With 69 campgrounds to boast of, it is no doubt that is one of the best camping spot in the country. Skiing trails are opened on winter seasons while the rest of the year you can enjoy boating, biking, hiking, swimming on the beach or in the pools or just play in the park's wide outdoor fields. Dogs are also allowed provided that they are on leash.

4. The Bethpage State Park at Farmingdale is proud of its 18-hole international golf courses. It will soon host the 2009 US Open in its newly remodeled Black Course golf arena. This made this park famous and one of the center points when it comes to golf activities whether professional or amateur games.

Other parks have also significant and unique offers such as the Connetquot River State Park which offers fly-fishing activities where some presidents had enjoyed the activity. The Captree State Park is famous for its sat water fishing, fishing fleet and fishing ports. If you like to enjoy a vintage era of a Tudor-styled Gold Coast mansion with a façade of formal lawns and gardens, The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is for you. Wildwood and Hither Hills State Parks boast of its best campgrounds while get the opportunity to experience the making of a poet, Walt Whitman at the Wall Whitman Birthplace State Park.