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Heckscher State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 3,670 Google reviews · Running trail in East Islip, New York · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Heckscher State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
1,600-ac. park on a 19th-century estate offers multi-use trails, sports fields & boat launches.
What runners say about Heckscher State Park
“It was quiet, parking lot was clean, and just enough time to walk around before it got dark early.”
“Forget about the nosies of this world and go find peace under the beautiful sky and sun light that only brings peace and happiness within your heart!”
“Quiet, small beach near playground, bathroom & close parking ($10 access fee unless you get $80 Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry and parking to all NY State parks).”
Hugh park with plenty room for an improvement. The entry fee is $8. There are three cricket pitches in one of the fields. Pitches have hard concrete under the matting, so cricket leather ball doesn't bounce much. You can easily hit ball on the rise without getting worried about bounce.
This amazing place is in a different league. You don’t feel like you’re in NY here. People are so nice. This place is massive. You can literally spend weeks here and not see everything. Do your research before coming here. There are numerous playgrounds here. One of the playground areas is adjacent to the water.
Quiet, small beach near playground, bathroom & close parking ($10 access fee unless you get $80 Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry and parking to all NY State parks). The swimming areas are a bit limited, but the set up of the beach makes it great for watching children - great sand for building.
We went to Heckscher State Park (field 6) mid afternoon and the views were beautiful. No toll pay coming in because it's the Fall and off season. It was quiet, parking lot was clean, and just enough time to walk around before it got dark early.
Trail conditions & character
“Quiet, small beach near playground, bathroom & close parking ($10 access fee unless you get $80 Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry and parking to all NY State parks).”
“Forget about the nosies of this world and go find peace under the beautiful sky and sun light that only brings peace and happiness within your heart!”
“Quiet, small beach near playground, bathroom & close parking ($10 access fee unless you get $80 Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry and parking to all NY State parks).”
“Quiet, small beach near playground, bathroom & close parking ($10 access fee unless you get $80 Empire Pass, which gives you unlimited entry and parking to all NY State parks).”
“The sand is minimal - more of a rocky beach.”
Plan your run at Heckscher State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteparks.ny.gov
- Phone(631) 581-2100
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