Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail plus LI Greenbelt Trail to Sunken Meadow State Park

Distance: Kings Park Trail 1.5 miles; LI Greenbelt Trail 1.8 miles  TOTAL 3.3 miles  Elevation Gain: 125 ft   Hike Time: 4 hours   Difficulty: Moderate  Trail Condition: Various  Hike Type: Point to Pont.

How to Get There:

Kings Park Trailhead:  To Exit 53 North (Sagtikos Pkwy-Sunken Meadow Pkwy North).  After approximately seven miles, take Exit SM4E (Pulaski Road).  Continue on Pulaski Road for four lights. Go through the intersection, past the public school building and park in the lot across the street from the St. Joseph church parking lot.  The trailhead is behind the church parking lot, 300 feet east of Church Street.  Maps for the Kings Park Trail are available from Town of Smithtown Planning and Community Development at (631) 360-7540.

State Park Trailhead: L.I. Expressway to exit 53. Take Sagtikos Parkway north. Sagtikos Parkway becomes Sunken Meadow Parkway. Go all the way to the toll-booths; parking fee or NYS Empire Pass).  Park at Field 3.

General Description: The Kings Park Hike & Bike Trail was officially opened on December 16, 2003. The mile and a half trail runs along the old Kings Park Railroad spur from Old Dock Road, just north of Church Street, through the grounds of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center to Nissequogue River State Park.  Use the Nissequogue River State Park trailhead and follow the park trail to the shore of the Nissequogue River., at the end of Old Dock Road.  If you go to the Old Dock Road boat ramp and walk to the highest, furthest parking lot from the ramp, a series of steep wooden steps -- almost hidden-- that lead up to part of the Long Island Greenbelt trail.  From there, hike on the Long Island Greenbelt Trail north along the shore to Sunken Meadow State Park. The tidal flats and east end of the park terminate at the mouth -of the Nissequogue River. Use the 4-mile nature trail in the park to extend your hike for Hiking MB requirements..