Caleb Smith State Park Preserve

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve is a 543-acre NYS Parks nature preserve at 581 West Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown, south of Sunken Meadow on the Long Island Greenbelt Trail. It is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays except holidays), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to mid-November and 9 to 4 in winter. Cars pay $8 in season. It is a quiet, passive-use preserve with trails, a nature museum in a 1751 house and fly fishing on the Nissequogue River; pets, bikes and picnics are not allowed.

What Kind of Park It Is

NYS Parks calls Caleb Smith one of four state nature preserves on Long Island and a passive-use park. That protects its plants and wildlife and keeps it quiet. Expect walking trails and a museum, not ball fields or barbecues.

Hours (2026)

• Open: Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays, except holidays.
• April 1 to November 16: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• November 18 to March 31: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fees

• Cars: $8. Buses: $35.
• Collected: weekends and holidays April 4 to May 25; daily May 26 to September 6; weekends and holidays September 7 to November 15, 2026.
• Environmental programs: $4 for ages 3 and up; under 3 free.
• Fly fishing: $25 per four-hour session, vehicle fee included.

The $80 Empire Pass covers day-use entry at most NYS Parks facilities. See hours and fees.

Trails and Wildlife

NYS Parks says the preserve's habitats change with the seasons. Look for rare plants such as pink lady's slipper, trailing arbutus and Indian pipe, and birds including prothonotary warblers, Virginia rails and osprey. In winter the trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Long Island Greenbelt Trail runs through the preserve on its way from Sunken Meadow to the South Shore; see Greenbelt Trail. NYS Parks publishes a trail map on the park page.

The Nature Museum

The nature museum is in the Smith family house, built around 1751, before the Revolution. Exhibits include a great blue heron, red fox, flying squirrel and river otter, and the museum covers local and natural history. Environmental education programs run all year.

Fishing

• Fly fishing on the Nissequogue River: April 1 to October 15, with a NYS freshwater fishing licence and a reservation.
• Children 15 and under: may fish Willow Pond from April 1 to October 31.

Rules

NYS Parks prohibits smoking, pets, bikes, sports, metal detecting, remote-control vehicles and picnics at Caleb Smith. Posed photography (weddings, family, engagement) needs a permit, $200 a session, arranged before the date through the park office.

Good For

• A quiet nature walk away from the Sunken Meadow crowds.
• Families with young children, for the museum and Willow Pond fishing.
• Fly fishers on the Nissequogue.

Maybe Skip If

• You are bringing a dog. Pets are not allowed. Try Avalon Nature Preserve, where leashed dogs are welcome.
• You want a picnic or a beach. Go to Sunken Meadow.
• It is Monday. The preserve is closed except on holidays.