Cold Spring Harbor State Park

Cold Spring Harbor State Park is a beautiful 40-acre hilltop park that offers families a wonderful year-round destination for outdoor exploration and nature discovery. Located in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island's North Shore, this scenic park features mixed hardwood forests with impressive large oak trees and wild mountain laurel thickets, providing stunning vistas of Cold Spring Harbor. The park is completely free to visit with no entrance fees, making it an affordable family outing. Families visiting Cold Spring Harbor State Park can enjoy hiking trails, bird watching, jogging, walking, and nature photography throughout the year. The park serves as the northern trailhead for the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, which extends all the way to Bethpage State Park and eventually to Nassau County's south shore—perfect for families interested in longer hiking adventures. The hilly terrain offers scenic views and plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife. The park is particularly popular during spring and fall migrations when families can observe a variety of songbirds. Year-round residents include great horned owls and red-tailed hawks, making it an excellent destination for young bird watchers and nature enthusiasts. With parking and hiking trails open from sunrise to sunset daily, families can plan visits according to their schedules and enjoy the natural beauty at their own pace.