Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Belmont Lake State Park
(Babylon Village and West Babylon)

While the recreation area around Belmont Lake State Park is well known, relatively few are aware that Belmont Lake State Park extends another 2.3 miles south through a beautiful natural greenway. Hidden in this stretch is a rather large wild pond (as big as Belmont Lake!), reached only by foot or bike path.

Interlaced with trails, the corridor is also a place to see a wetland floodway in action. During the summer, the dirt footpaths, groomed gravel bike paths, and bridle paths thread along and across the Carll’s River (a small creek here). One notices that the creek is braided, that is, divided into a complex of many channels that fork and interconnect. Wetlands can be seen along parts of the route. However, during the colder months and after storms, the creek overflows across many parts of the trail, making them temporarily unusable. The wetlands function by holding and absorbing the excess water, then filtering it and releasing it slowly. This prevents erosion and siltation downstream, and stabilizes the groundwater supply. They keep Southard’s Pond and Argyle Lake cleaner and healthier for wildlife habitat. They also slow down filling in of the ponds by creek siltation.

You can enjoy a total of 7.5 miles of trails in this park, if you are looking for a secluded getaway from the suburban sprawl. About 4.5 miles of this are paved or smooth gravel for bicycles and walking (and almost half of this is also a designated bridle path). The other three miles are a network of dirt footpaths.

The 459-acre park was once the estate of August Belmont, who raised thoroughbred horses here. The state purchased it in 1926, at a time when most of the area was farmland and wetland.

Bird life is diverse on the park’s four ponds. On Belmont Lake, Canada geese and mallard ducks congregate, along with canvasbacks, redheads, mergansers, green-winged teal, and northern shoveler. In the woodlands, crow “parties” can sometimes be heard making their raucous chorus. The wetter woods are dominated by red maple, sweet gum, tupelo, and high bush blueberry. Drier woods feature scarlet, white and black oaks, and an occasional pitch pine.

The headquarters for the Long Island State Parks Commission is located on the southwest shore of Belmont Lake. The recreation area around the lake offers athletic fields, picnicking, fishing, rowboat rentals, and a food concession. For information, contact the park at (631) 667-5055, P.O Box 247, Babylon, NY 11702.

How to Get There: Be aware that parts of the trails may be flooded after rain or snowmelt periods. To reach Belmont Lake State Park, take Southern State Parkway to exit 38 (which takes you into the northeast end of the park). After stopping at the park guard booth, drive to the north east corner of the parking lot. To begin your exploration, head towards the lake.

To reach the southern end of the park, take the Southern State Parkway to exit 39. Head south on Deer Park Avenue (not Rt. 231), cross over Sunrise Highway, and one mile further, turn right onto Park Avenue. Turn right into Babylon Village Park (just before a grade school).

From the Northern Approach (exit 38): Start your suggested route by walking or biking the path completely around Belmont Lake. Explore side paths. At the southwest corner of the lake, close to the park headquarters is a beautiful landscaped area. Notice the Belmont Cannons, from Oliver Perry’s Battle of Lake Erie in 1812. Next to them is an exquisite cut leaf Japanese maple.

Now is time to leave the developed area. Walk or bike to the south end of the lake and go through the tunnel under Southern State Parkway. Here, you are treated to a beautiful scene: a view of a stone arch bridge “inside” a nearer arch bridge. Both are reflected in the creek, which flows through the tunnel.

On the other side of the tunnel, turn left. Then make your first right onto the dirt path! Shortly, it crosses the creek. On the other side, it forks. The wider trail is a bridle path. Take the narrower trail (which also closely parallels the other trail for the entire route). Notice the confusing way stream channels suddenly appear or intertwine. When you cross the larger channel a second time, you have gone a half-mile from the tunnel. In another 0.9 miles, you reach Sunrise Highway. Just before this point, the two trails merge into one. (The wide dirt trail to your right leads to a horse riding stable at Montgomery Avenue). The trail conveniently goes through a tunnel under Sunrise Highway. 1,000 feet further, you reach tranquil and isolated Southard’s Pond. You can walk to the south end of the lake and all the way to Park Avenue, ¾ mile further south.

From the Southern Approach (exit 39): The south end of the trail starts in the town park off Park Avenue. From the parking lot, you have two choices. You can follow the paved trail to the left, or you can follow the unpaved path straight ahead and toward your right.

If you take the unpaved path to the right, be aware that it can be flooded during wet weather or during spring runoff. The trail heads north, paralleling the streams and wetlands to your left. It ultimately reaches the shore of Southards Pond.

If you take the paved path, it crosses the creek. During wet weather, the creek swells and can be seen within inches of this footbridge. Follow the paved bike path north past wetlands. As with the unpaved footpath, it leads you to the southern end of Southard’s Pond.

From the south shore of the lake, where the trail crosses over the lake’s outlet, you get a great vista across the lake. The view of the lake is at its peak when autumn leaves abound. From here, head northwest around the west side of the pond through mature oak forest. Once again you can take either the narrower footpaths, or the larger bridle path as it heads towards the Sunrise Highway tunnel. The trails merge when they cross the creek close to Sunrise Highway. The trail passes through a tunnel under the highway, and enters the park’s middle section, described previously. The trail goes 1.4 miles north before reaching the tunnel under Southern State Parkway. On the other side are Belmont Lake State Park and its extensive trail system around the lake.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Belmont Lake State Park (Babylon Village and West Babylon) While the recreation area around Belmont Lake State Park is well known, relatively few are aware that Belmont Lake State Park extends another 2.3 miles south through a beautiful natural greenway. Hidden in this stretch is a rather large wild pond (as big as Belmont Lake!), reached only by foot or bike path. Interlaced with trails, the corridor is also a place to see a wetland floodway in action. During the summer, the dirt footpaths, groomed gravel bike paths, and bridle paths thread along and across the Carll’s River (a small creek here). One notices that the creek is braided, that is, divided into a complex of many channels that fork and interconnect. Wetlands can be seen along parts of the route. However, during the colder months and after storms, the creek overflows across many parts of the trail, making them temporarily unusable. The wetlands function by holding and absorbing the excess water, then filtering it and releasing it slowly. This prevents erosion and siltation downstream, and stabilizes the groundwater supply. They keep Southard’s Pond and Argyle Lake cleaner and healthier for wildlife habitat. They also slow down filling in of the ponds by creek siltation. You can enjoy a total of 7.5 miles of trails in this park, if you are looking for a secluded getaway from the suburban sprawl. About 4.5 miles of this are paved or smooth gravel for bicycles and walking (and almost half of this is also a designated bridle path). The other three miles are a network of dirt footpaths. The 459-acre park was once the estate of August Belmont, who raised thoroughbred horses here. The state purchased it in 1926, at a time when most of the area was farmland and wetland. Bird life is diverse on the park’s four ponds. On Belmont Lake, Canada geese and mallard ducks congregate, along with canvasbacks, redheads, mergansers, green-winged teal, and northern shoveler. In the woodlands, crow “parties” can sometimes be heard making their raucous chorus. The wetter woods are dominated by red maple, sweet gum, tupelo, and high bush blueberry. Drier woods feature scarlet, white and black oaks, and an occasional pitch pine. The headquarters for the Long Island State Parks Commission is located on the southwest shore of Belmont Lake. The recreation area around the lake offers athletic fields, picnicking, fishing, rowboat rentals, and a food concession. For information, contact the park at (631) 667-5055, P.O Box 247, Babylon, NY 11702. How to Get There: Be aware that parts of the trails may be flooded after rain or snowmelt periods. To reach Belmont Lake State Park, take Southern State Parkway to exit 38 (which takes you into the northeast end of the park). After stopping at the park guard booth, drive to the north east corner of the parking lot. To begin your exploration, head towards the lake. To reach the southern end of the park, take the Southern State Parkway to exit 39. Head south on Deer Park Avenue (not Rt. 231), cross over Sunrise Highway, and one mile further, turn right onto Park Avenue. Turn right into Babylon Village Park (just before a grade school). From the Northern Approach (exit 38): Start your suggested route by walking or biking the path completely around Belmont Lake. Explore side paths. At the southwest corner of the lake, close to the park headquarters is a beautiful landscaped area. Notice the Belmont Cannons, from Oliver Perry’s Battle of Lake Erie in 1812. Next to them is an exquisite cut leaf Japanese maple. Now is time to leave the developed area. Walk or bike to the south end of the lake and go through the tunnel under Southern State Parkway. Here, you are treated to a beautiful scene: a view of a stone arch bridge “inside” a nearer arch bridge. Both are reflected in the creek, which flows through the tunnel. On the other side of the tunnel, turn left. Then make your first right onto the dirt path! Shortly, it crosses the creek. On the other side, it forks. The wider trail is a bridle path. Take the narrower trail (which also closely parallels the other trail for the entire route). Notice the confusing way stream channels suddenly appear or intertwine. When you cross the larger channel a second time, you have gone a half-mile from the tunnel. In another 0.9 miles, you reach Sunrise Highway. Just before this point, the two trails merge into one. (The wide dirt trail to your right leads to a horse riding stable at Montgomery Avenue). The trail conveniently goes through a tunnel under Sunrise Highway. 1,000 feet further, you reach tranquil and isolated Southard’s Pond. You can walk to the south end of the lake and all the way to Park Avenue, ¾ mile further south. From the Southern Approach (exit 39): The south end of the trail starts in the town park off Park Avenue. From the parking lot, you have two choices. You can follow the paved trail to the left, or you can follow the unpaved path straight ahead and toward your right. If you take the unpaved path to the right, be aware that it can be flooded during wet weather or during spring runoff. The trail heads north, paralleling the streams and wetlands to your left. It ultimately reaches the shore of Southards Pond. If you take the paved path, it crosses the creek. During wet weather, the creek swells and can be seen within inches of this footbridge. Follow the paved bike path north past wetlands. As with the unpaved footpath, it leads you to the southern end of Southard’s Pond. From the south shore of the lake, where the trail crosses over the lake’s outlet, you get a great vista across the lake. The view of the lake is at its peak when autumn leaves abound. From here, head northwest around the west side of the pond through mature oak forest. Once again you can take either the narrower footpaths, or the larger bridle path as it heads towards the Sunrise Highway tunnel. The trails merge when they cross the creek close to Sunrise Highway. The trail passes through a tunnel under the highway, and enters the park’s middle section, described previously. The trail goes 1.4 miles north before reaching the tunnel under Southern State Parkway. On the other side are Belmont Lake State Park and its extensive trail system around the lake.