Belmont Lake State Park

Location: West Babylon, NY 

Size: 463 acres 

Date of hike: July 7, 2018

Belmont Lake State Park is so much more than just a cool hiking spot.  It has everything from colorful pedal boats to old warship cannons, and it attracts everyone from grizzled fishermen to dog walkers out for some fun in the sun.  It's pretty much a one-stop shop for local lovers of the outdoors.  But, of course, I was there to hike.  And so hike is what I did.

Before exploring, I briefly researched the history and habitats of Belmont Lake State Park, which is home to a lovely lake and part of the Carlls River – the latter of which is the fourth longest on Long Island and flows 4.2 miles south to the Great South Bay, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's website.  "The park provides a bucolic feeling among densely developed neighborhoods alongside the Southern State Parkway," the website said.  Interestingly, the parcel was used to breed horses until 1885 and was owned by August Belmont, a politician and founder of the Belmont Stakes, according to a pamphlet.  Upon his son's death in 1924, it was passed along to the son's widow Eleanor, a playwright and actress who sold most of the site for subdivision into lots.  However, a remaining 158-acre tract – including the lake, a mansion and farm structures – was sold to New York State, with the state purchasing additional land from Eleanor in 1927.  In 1935, Robert Moses chose the park to be a regional headquarters for all state parks on Long Island and today it also hosts the headquarters for the New York State Park Police.

The park's entrance is located on the north side of the Southern State Parkway – at Exit 38, to be exact – and the vehicle entrance fee is $8.  There are 7.6 miles of total trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing and a map is available on the state's website.  Upon parking, the first thing I glimpsed were playgrounds, baseball fields, and dozens of pretty picnic spots – all of which were packed on this summer day.  I headed west to the lake, which the state's website strangely sized at both 26 and 42 acres, and watched smile-filled families enjoy the park's pedal boats.  Apparently, visitors can rent pedal boats and rowboats starting in May.  "We also allow kayaks and canoes to be launched from the boat dock whenever it is open (they can't be inflatable, must be hard-bottomed, no motors, no surfboards or wakeboards, and no paddle boards)," the state's site said.  If you don't own a kayak, they're available for two hours for a $20 fee.  Pedal boats or rowboats are available for an hour-and-a-half for $15.

The hike's highlights for me were the picturesque lake and its surrounding wetland complex, which the state's website calls the park's "significant natural feature."  A gravelly path goes around the whole lake and takes about a half hour to complete.  You'll also notice a fitness trail with workout stations that include parallel bars, a beam jump and a "horizontal ladder," aka monkey bars.  Meanwhile, the lake's southwestern edge features the aforementioned headquarters as well as two cannons captured from a British warship in the War of 1812, according to a sign.  Another sign informed visitors of an "economical project" to combat erosion along the lake.  "Biodegradable rolls of coconut fiber have been installed to help protect the low water line," it said.  "They also trap sediment and act as a wave barrier." 

Upon completing the lake loop, I backtracked to an underpass on the lake's south side that goes underneath the Southern State Parkway.  Several trails appeared on the opposite side, but only the middle one seemed to stay in the park.  The path ran parallel to the Carlls River, south past the Babylon Riding Center, and beneath Sunrise Highway until it reached what is known as Southards Pond Park, according to my geocaching app.  I decided to retreat here, with intentions to plan a future hike around Southards.  On my way back, I listened to a mix of progressive metal highlighted by some gems from one of my favorite bands: Redemption. 

Regarding wildlife, the park has wetland and freshwater habitats that attract a bevy of birds – including winter waterfowl like canvasbacks and American wigeons.  The summer seasons, meanwhile, see great blue heron hunt for fish in the lake, the pamphlet said.  "Park visitors also enjoy watching ospreys dive from high above to catch fish for their young in the spring," the state's website said.  As for fish, the lake has trout, largemouth bass and yellow perch. 

Overall, I'd say Belmont Lake State Park is a fantastic place to visit on a summer afternoon.  While I prefer parks that are more secluded, there's no denying the beauty of Belmont Lake.  In fact, I'm already planning to return and ride a pedal boat.  Or maybe a rowboat.  Or both!

Map: Belmont Lake State Park (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°44'11.2"N 73°20'17.3"W
Video: Belmont Lake State Park (360-degree view)

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