Parking & Directions

Sunken Meadow State Park's entrance is at Route 25A and the Sunken Meadow Parkway in Kings Park, NY 11754: the parkway runs north and ends at the park. Parking is in numbered fields. Field 1 is the main beach and park office, Field 3 is the east beach and the only kayak launch, Fields 2 and 4 have the picnic grills, and Field 5 serves the bridle trail. In 2026 a car pays $10 in summer and $8 on spring and fall weekends; golfers pay no vehicle fee.

Getting There by Car

NYS Parks lists one address for the park: Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park, NY 11754. The Sunken Meadow State Parkway runs north into the park, and the park sits where Route 25A meets it. Coming along the North Shore on 25A, turn north onto the parkway. NYS Parks names the gate the Sunken Meadow Parkway Entrance.

The golf course uses the same entrance. Its clubhouse address is Box 716, Route 25A, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park.

Which Field to Use

• Field 1: main beach. The park office is here, and so are the beach mobility mats and the free beach wheelchairs. Use it for swimming and the west end of the boardwalk.
• Field 2: picnics. Grills are in Fields 2 and 4. NYS Parks says construction in Field 2 ended model-airplane permits here.
• Field 3: east beach and launch. The second swimming beach, and the only place to launch a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or windsurfer. The launches sit on the east side of the field. See kayaking.
• Field 4: picnics. The other field with grills. See picnic areas.
• Field 5: bridle trail. Horseback riding is allowed only on the bridle trail in Field 5, with a permit.

What Parking Costs in 2026

NYS Parks charges a vehicle use fee (VUF) per car, collected on set days and hours:

• April 4 to May 22: $8, weekends and holidays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• May 23 to September 11: $10. Weekends and holidays 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• September 12 to November 8: $8, weekends and holidays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Buses: $35.

The schedule lists no fee outside those windows. An Empire Pass ($80 a year) covers day-use entry. Golfers do not pay the VUF, and any fee paid at the gate is put towards the greens fee.

When the Lots Fill

Sunken Meadow had more than 3.5 million visits in 2025. On hot summer weekends the beach fields go first. Coming early, before the 10 a.m. swim start, or arriving late afternoon gives the best chance of a space near the water. If Field 1 is busy, Field 3 has its own beach.

Walking In With a Dog

Dogs are not allowed through the park entrances. NYS Parks allows leashed dogs only on the back trails at the east end, reached by Old Dock Road, and in the area east of the parkway and south of 25A, reached from 25A. Details are on the dogs page.

By Bike or on Foot

Bicycling is allowed around the park all year from sunrise to sunset, and on the boardwalk at set times. Hikers can arrive on foot along the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, which ends here after 31.8 miles from the South Shore.

Accessibility

Mobility mats run onto the sand at Fields 1 and 3, and beach wheelchairs are free on a first-come basis from the park office in Field 1. For other access questions NYS Parks asks you to call (631) 269-4333.