Hempstead Lake State Park

Closed — Open year-round for day use from sunrise to sunset. No overnight camping available at this facility.

About

Hempstead Lake State Park is a 737-acre multiuse day-use facility located in West Hempstead, Nassau County, on Long Island. The park offers extensive recreational opportunities but does not provide overnight camping facilities. The park features 18 tennis courts, 6 dedicated pickleball courts, children's playgrounds, basketball courts, a softball field, and shaded picnic areas throughout the grounds. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore bridle trails for horseback riding, along with hiking and biking trails that wind through the park's natural landscape. The park is home to three freshwater bodies: Hempstead Lake (the largest freshwater lake in Nassau County), McDonald Pond, and South Pond. These waters are stocked with trout in the fall and offer year-round fishing for trout, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, carp, and sunfish. Cartop boats such as kayaks, canoes, and rowboats are permitted on Hempstead Lake, and seasonal rentals are available. The park features a historic hand-carved wooden carousel operating seasonally from April through October on weekends and holidays. The Environmental Education and Resiliency Center provides hands-on learning programs focused on environmental management and storm resiliency, offering educational programming for scouts, schools, and the public. The Philip Scott Pavilion is available for rental for groups up to 300 people. This is strictly a day-use facility with no camping accommodations.

Directions

Take Southern State Parkway Exit 18 south into the park. Located at 1000 Lake Drive, West Hempstead.

Nearby Campgrounds