Belmont Lake State Park
Southern State Parkway Exit 38
North Babylon, NY 11703
- General Information: (631) 667-5055
Spring Calendar Suffolk County
Belmont Lake State Park, located in West Babylon is a 463-acre day use park bisected by Carll's Creek and Belmont Lake. The park, established in 1926 had been owned by August Belmont and served as farmland for some of Belmont's equestrian activities. Robert Moses chose this park to establish the regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island in 1935, which serves the public today for region-wide permit sales, park administration and as headquarters for the New York State Park Police.
The park is primarily visited by families seeking outdoor gatherings, picnics, and informal sports activities. It provides a bucolic feeling adjacent to the Southern State Parkway at exit 38 among densely developed neighborhoods. Carll's Creek stretches 4.2 miles south to the Great South Bay with a trail for hiking and biking. Horseback riding is available through the nearby Babylon Riding Center (for information contact 631-587-7778). The 42-acre Belmont Lake is encircled by a similar path, making a total of 7.6 miles of multi-use trails.
Pedal boats, rowboats, and kayaks are available for rent on the lake through the summer (max 4 passengers per pedal boat and 5 passengers per row boat). We allow kayaks and canoes to be launched from the boat dock while the boat dock is open (they can't be inflatable, must be hard bottomed, no motors, no surfboards or wakeboards, and no paddle boards). If you cannot bring your own kayak, kayak rentals are also available for a nominal fee.
The park's significant natural features include the 26-acre, spring-fed Belmont Lake and a significant wetland complex. The lake provides springtime trout fishing and summer bass fishing for the avid anglers who use the park. It is home to permanent and migratory waterfowl populations. Park visitors enjoy watching Osprey diving from high above to catch fish for their young in the spring. Other waterfowl that can be easily spotted include Northern Shovelers, Mergansers, Teal, Great Blue Heron, and Egrets.
Patrons enjoy activities such as picnicking, playgrounds, and using the various game courts and fields. The lake attracts trail walking, fishing and non-motorized boating. The 7.6 miles of trails throughout the park are available for hiking, walking, biking, nature observation and weather permitting, cross-country skiing.
Special events such as the Great Jack-O-Lantern Sail, Holiday Tree Lighting, Egg Hunt, and Fishing Expo draw the highest attendance on non-holiday weekends.
Find out more about park permit information.
Pavilion Information
Belmont Lake has four pavilions. Prices range from $200 to $250 and can accommodate up to 200 people. Check availability at ReserveAmerica.com. Find out more about reserving picnic pavilions and view pictures of the options available (Birch, Maple, Oak, Pine).
Dog Run
The dog run is 100ft x 100ft with two separate areas for large and small dogs with plenty of pet waste stations. Open during normal park hours (sunrise to sunset).
Pet Policy: A maximum of two pets are allowed in day use areas unless prohibited by sign or directive. Pets are to be supervised at all times and either be crated or on a leash not more than 6-feet in length. Proof of rabies inoculation shall be produced if requested by staff. Pets are not permitted in picnic areas, boats, playgrounds, and buildings (this does not apply to service animals).
Hours of Operation
- Belmont Lake State Park is open from sunrise to sunset, year round.
- Picnicking, available all year.
Pavilion rentals: All pavilions - (Maple, Birch, Pine & Oak)
Fishing: Following DEC guidelines, available year-round. - Rowboat, Pedal Boat, and
Kayak Rentals:Boats are $20 per boat for two (2) hours, first-come first-served. Patrons must be 18 years or older to rent a boat. All patrons must wear safety vests provided by Park Staff, at all times.Maximum four (4) persons per pedal and five (5) persons per rowboat, including children & infants. Maximum two (2) persons maximum per kayak; children must be at least 6 years old to ride kayaks.Pets are NOT permitted on boats, regardless of size.Fishing is permitted from Rowboats ONLY, Monday-Friday, 6/30-8/29, excluding holidays*.
- May 3 – June 27, 2025Weekends & Holidays*: 11AM-5PM (last rental at 5PM, if availability permits)Weekdays: CLOSEDJune 28 – September 1, 2025Open Daily: 11AM-5PM (last rental at 5PM, if availability permits)September 2 – October 13, 2025Weekends & Holidays*: 11AM-4PM (last rental at 4PM, if availability permits)Weekdays: CLOSED*Holidays include: Memorial Day (5/26), Juneteenth (6/19), Independence Day (7/4), Labor Day (9/1), & Columbus Day (10/13).
Fees & Rates
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
- Vehicle Entrance Fee
- April 5 – May 23, 2025Weekends & Holidays*: 8AM-4PMWeekdays: No FeeMay 24 – September 1, 2025Weekends & Holidays*: 7AM-6PMWeekdays: 8AM-4PMSeptember 2 – October 13, 2025Weekends & Holidays*: 8AM-4PMWeekdays: No Fee*Holidays include: Memorial Day (5/26), Juneteenth (6/19), Independence Day (7/4), Labor Day (9/1), & Columbus Day (10/13).Cars: $8Buses: $35
- Picnicking
- Free
No permit is needed if group is less than 50 persons, if you are not renting a pavilion, if you are not entering with a bus, or if you are not bringing alcohol.
Note:-First come, first serve.
-No dogs allowed in picnic areas/playgrounds.
-No reserving, or roping off spots.
-Decorations are to remain minimal. No confetti permitted.
-Nailing items to trees is prohibited.
-Open tents only, no larger than 10'x 10' (One per group permitted).
-Deposit hot coals in red trash cans only.
-No inflatables permitted in picnic areas. - Group Use Permits
A permit is required for groups of 50+ people: Free
A permit is required if you are entering with a bus: (the park will not be allowing/sell bus permits this season)
All Buses: $35.00- Alcohol Permit
Beer or Wine only: $25.00
- Park Use Permits
Permit required for any organized event or activity such as Walkathons, Religious Ceremonies, Wedding/Engagement Photos, Athletics/Sports, Environmental Studies, etc.
**All applications must be received at least 10 business days prior to the event- Metal Detecting
- By Permit Only: $40
Maps
Amenities Information
- Amenities
- Biking
- Boat Rentals (Accessible) * Pedal boat, Rowboat, Kayaks
- Fishing
- Food (Accessible)
- Grills
- Hiking
- Pavilions and Shelter Rentals (Accessible)
- Playgrounds (Accessible) * Playground #1 ages 2-5, Playground #2 ages 5-12
- Playing Fields * Basketball, baseball, bocce ball & horseshoes
- Documents
- Photos: Ball Fields at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Photos: Belmont Lake Boat Dock (pdf)
- Photos: Belmont Lake Playground for Ages 2-5 (pdf)
- Belmont Lake State Park Brochure (pdf)
- Photos: Pine Pavilion at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Photos: Belmont Lake Playground for Ages 5-12 (pdf)
- Photos: Belmont Lake's Historic Cannons (pdf)
- Photos: Birch Pavilion at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Freshwater Fishing Regulations (pdf)
- Scavenger Hunt (pdf)
- Belmont Lake State Park - Map & Directions (pdf)
- Photos: Oak Pavilion at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Photos: Maple Pavilion at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Photos: Trails at Belmont Lake (pdf)
- Photos: Belmont Lake Picnic Areas (pdf)
- Belmont Lake Kid's Fun Book (pdf)
- Dog Run Rules (jpg)
- Photos: Dog Run (jpg)
- Belmont Lake Memorial Bench Program Brochure (pdf)
