Wildwood State Park

Perched on the bluffs of Long Island’s North Shore, Wildwood State Park offers 772 acres of rolling hardwood forest that feels worlds away from the sprawl of New York City — even though it’s only about 70 miles east. Established in 1925, this is one of Long Island’s oldest and most beloved state parks, drawing visitors who come for the dramatic bluff-top views over Long Island Sound and stay for the miles of wooded trails winding through oak, pine, and laurel.

The park’s crown jewel is its steep wooden staircase descending the bluffs to a rocky beach below, where the Sound stretches north toward Connecticut. Hiking trails range from easy loops to longer circuits through dense forest, and birders will find the woodland canopy productive during spring and fall migration. Fishing is popular along the shoreline, and the park’s picnic areas sit in shaded groves that stay cool even in midsummer.

Camping details should be confirmed directly with New York State Parks, as availability and reservation requirements vary by season. When open, the campground is nestled among mature trees, offering a genuine woods-camping experience uncommon on Long Island.

The best time to visit is late May through October. Summer brings warm swimming conditions and full canopy shade, while autumn transforms the hardwood forest into a corridor of gold and russet. Spring migration makes April and May rewarding for birders.

Expect well-maintained trails, occasional weekend crowds in summer, and a quieter, more forested atmosphere than Long Island’s ocean-facing parks.

Explore Nearby

• Finger Lakes National Forest — National Forest in New York
• Mohawk Towpath Byway — Scenic Byway in New York
• Lakes to Locks Passage — Scenic Byway in New York
• Salisbury Center Bridge — Covered Bridge in New York
• Jay Bridge — Covered Bridge in New York