Jones Beach State Park — Attraction in Town of Hempstead

Update: oh surprise a big brawl on the beach today requiring a helicopter. NYC kids have ZERO respect for anything and our government is not handing our citations and rules. Same thing in queens last week when brooklyn kids invaded a baseball field for a concert. Anothrr helicopter required. I guarantee these kids left the beach filthy too. Dont these kids have any parents? Charge their parents! Their kids behavior today was disgusting. I say no one on the beach 18 amd under without someone 18 and over who gets the citation if something happens. Long Island kids are not brawling on the beaches in Long Beach or Lido. Trashy behavior because they go home to trashy parents. That behavior needs to stay in Brooklyn. Ruining it for everyone else.

Ive been going to Jones Beach for 50 years...this will likely be my last visit ... Another poster said it best..."you offer $10 parking and what you get is a bunch of people, no money packing as.many people as you can into one car. They're like renters, no investment in the area." ...Jones Beach was once a nice, peaceful family-oriented beach just a few years ago. Apparently the trashy crowd spread the word that it was a "nice beach" and as always, once trashy people show up, its all downhill from there. They never seem to know they're the actual problem. Then they're confused when they're having the same problems they had at their old beach. The new bar where the state run cafe was is very noisy. So the first thing you walk into on field 4 now is loud bar music instead of that beachy seagull sound. The food was fine, their hamburgers need pickles. Every fifth person has a personal really loud radio (Im talking party level with different kinds of music so you cant enjoy any one music and they carry it strapped.across their body so even the boardwalk as you walk down is just loud noise.) The beach was FILTHY this weekend. The trashy crowd overstuffed the closest garbage cans even though there were 20 other empty cans. They couldnt even bother to walk 20 feet to an empty can. Garbage was blowing everywhere. Pretty much Long Islanders have stopped coming here. Seems like a southern Queens/ Brooklyn crowd spread the word. Yuck. There was a young couple arguing and grabbing at each other like they were going to hit each other, the bathrooms were absolutely disgusting! People were washing their hair and clogging the sinks with large amounts of hair and sand. The toilets were gross. Ive never seen them like that ever. A lot of cursing from large groups and last year we saw a fist fight and mother screaming at her kids in the bbq area in a harmful way. The family bbq areas attract loud, rude groups, those were a mistake to add. Sad that this is now what was once a very classy beach. People even brought dogs this weekend. They need more enforced rules and ticketing especially about radio volumes, language and garbage. I'm going to see if weekdays are any better but somehow I doubt it. Never liked Lido or Tobay but the place was shockingly bad this year. Even the walk to the beach was loud radio playing and loud cursing people. The radios were echoing off the tunnel. The kids.couldnt do the echo thing we've done for decades. The pool last time we visited had a really bad vibe, people arguing in the pool, people fighting. We go local.now. Used to like to give the kids the pool/beach combo I grew up with. The one star was generous. It's not the beach itself, it's the new crowd. This whole experience was...

(super long 5 star review with tips for you!)

I came to NYC to visit family, and I wanted to go to the beach to relax and have fun. I didn't want to go to a crowded and dirty beach, so I googled best beaches in New York and Jones Beach State Park consistenly came on the top 10 list. It is only 50 minutes from Brooklyn, NY. We left around noon and tried to get to field 6 (parking lot #6) because it the most popular parking lot due to having the shortest walking distance from parking lot to the water. However right before we left the phone app said it was 100% occupied. So we navigated to our second option which was field 2. You can check parking status for each field by going to jones beach state park's website and click on real time parking assistant.

We got there around 1:00pm and paid $10 to enter the park ($10 per car during peak season, $8 per car during off season). We got lucky and found parking right next to the facilities, but we still had a 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk from the car to the edge of the water. This was our next best option. (the other parking lots like field 3 and 4 are even further away!!!) I'm very impressed with how clean the beach is! It's 6.5 miles of beach and all the trash were at designated trash cans. There was no seaweed at the water and no trash, and I was able to pick up a few sea shells. I guess the $10 fee covers trash pickup! The beach was crowded as you get closer to the water, but we still got a nice spot a few feet from the water. If you don't want to be in the crowd, you can set camp farther away from the water, or walk further down the beach. The water is cold but trust me I have been to tons of beaches at different states and countries, and the water is ALWAYS COLD! You will get used to the water after 5 minutes in the water. We stayed for 3 hours and enjoyed playing in the water a few times and sat in the ocean breeze for a bit. A staff member pushes a cart around the beach to sell ice cream and popsickles. They are $5 per ice cream/popsickle, so a bit expensive. But hey if you don't want to make the long walk to the consession stand and have melted ice cream by the time you get back to the beach, then spend the $5 for convenience and peace of mind.

I totally recommend this beach if you live in NYC. I heard that other beaches within the city is much more crowded and really dirty with trash and cigarette buds everywhere. But this beach is really clean at Field 2, and I bet it's also clean at...

Jones Beach State Park is an idyllic coastal oasis nestled on the south shore of Long Island, New York. Spanning over 2,400 acres, this iconic park offers a plethora of recreational activities, making it a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.

Upon entering the park, visitors are greeted by the stunning panorama of the Atlantic Ocean and a seemingly endless stretch of pristine sandy beaches. The beach facilities are well-maintained, providing ample space for sunbathing, picnicking, and beach games. Lifeguards ensure the safety of swimmers, allowing families to enjoy worry-free ocean frolics.

The park's diverse amenities cater to all interests. Sports enthusiasts can relish in basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts, while nature lovers explore the network of scenic trails meandering through the dunes and coastal vegetation. A visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center enhances the experience, offering insightful exhibits on local wildlife and marine conservation efforts.

Jones Beach State Park also boasts a remarkable amphitheater, hosting concerts and events during the warmer months. The open-air venue allows attendees to savor live performances amidst refreshing sea breezes and breathtaking sunsets, creating unforgettable memories.

For dining options, the park features various concession stands, serving classic beach fare like hotdogs, ice cream, and fresh seafood. Alternatively, visitors can utilize the designated picnic areas equipped with grills for a delightful barbecue experience.

Overall, Jones Beach State Park exemplifies the epitome of a beach haven. Its immaculate shoreline, diverse activities, and scenic charm make it a top-notch destination for a memorable day trip or a relaxing beach vacation. Whether it's basking in the sun, partaking in recreational pursuits, or appreciating nature's wonders, this state park offers a little something for everyone, ensuring a truly enjoyable experience for all who step foot on its...