SHADMOOR STATE PARK, not much to it, unless you like hiking, birdwatching, fishing and sunning
Written: Jun 22 '03
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Pros: A quiet, new park.
Cons: No rest rooms. No water. No nothing!!
The Bottom Line: With so many wonderful parks nearby, it's hard to recommend this one. If you like hiking alone, give this an extra star.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Shadmoor State Park |
Just a couple of weeks ago my business brought me out to the very east end of Long Island. As a side trip I decided to get updated information about Montauk State Park and the Lighthouse that I planned to review. This park is noted for it's rugged bluffs, world class surf fishing, great walks, and the historic lighthouse that was ordered to be built by George Washington in 1794.
I have been to the park many, many times over the years. I have also been to the nearby, a couple of miles or so, Montauk Downs State Park. This park has a beautifully designed golf course, driving range, tennis courts, swimming pool and restaurant.
There is another state park that I had reviewed a little while back. This one is called Hither Hills State Park and is the only state park in Montauk with camping on the beaches.
On the way out to see these parks I first came to Hither Hills, and did a quick stop by. They have been doing construction on a new building that I will update in the Hither Hills review. After the stop and talking with an employee a bit I continued driving on and went through the town of Montauk heading for the nearby Montauk Downs State Park. As I neared the turn for that park I saw a sign that stated Shadmoor State Park. This was new to me. I had never heard of it before. I knew I would have to get more information and perhaps visit it on the way back. I drove on to Montauk Point State Park which happens to be on the furthest east tip of the southern coast of Long Island. There I spotted another sign new to me. It said Camp Hero State Park.
That afternoon I did a lot of investigating and adventuring.
I updated my information on the three parks that have been there for years and that I have previously spent time in. I then did some driving and walking around Camp Hero State park and then finished up with Shadmoor State Park.
A BIT of HISTORY
Shadmore State Park is a 100 acre piece of ocean front property that was purchased by New York State, Suffolk County, the Town of East Hampton and the Nature Conservatory. This was a unique sale that had all the partners looking to save the land from development. Previous to the purchase it was slated to be subdivided by four speculators with plans to build private homes.
The partnership had people who realized the value of this land to our generation and generations to come. From 1977 till 1995 there were no properties named as new state parks. Fortunately, our Governor Pataki has changed this pattern, and we now have over five new state parks in the last few years. Two are in Montauk.
The Shadmoor Property as it was known as before becoming a park was the site of two WWII artillery fire stations that were slated to be torn down. They are soon to be further renovated and converted into birdwatching stations. Their high elevation make the view of the surrounding area is fantastic.
During the time speculators were looking to buy the land other studies were being done too. This land in Montauk was once used extensively as grazing land for cattle and horses. Plans for letting horses graze there were also possible plans for the site. Nearby is a cattle ranch that holds the title of theOldest cattle ranch in the US.
It's still active and you can do some horseback riding from there.
The plans for horse grazing died with the purchase of the land and being designated a state park.
In an agreement with the purchasing partners the maintenance of the park will be done by the Town of East Hampton.
Just a quick note, we here in New York are blessed with almost 165 state parks. They are quite diverse in their use and environment. We are also fortunate to have five right in the Montauk Point area alone. I'm really not quite sure how many are on Long Island but I would venture a good guess of about 18-20 not including Brooklyn and Queens. I hope to have visited and reviewed all of these parks by years end. I have been to many of them already.
THE PARK HABITAT
This park is open everyday of the year from dawn to dusk. I was not able to get information as to whether anyone could get overnight fishing permits for this park. Both in Montauk Point State Park and Camp Hero State Park you can.
The park is pristine land of mixed grassland of open fields , low brush, small patches of woods, fresh water wetlands, and high clay bluffs over short small stone and sand beaches. It has just under one half mile of beach front on the Atlantic Ocean.
This area of Montauk is a primary fly over area for many migratory birds. There are also many that make this are their homes.
On this land is the sandplain geradia plant. This is an extremely rare plant that is federally protected. There are many other kinds of plants that are unique to this habitat too. The state parks have an excellent flyer that shows what to look for in the diverse habitat of this area. You would have to go to Montauk Downs or Montauk Point State park for these. At the present time there is no one stationed at the entrance of Shadmoor State park. There are no area for pamphlets either.
Also available at the other parks and not Shadmore is the pamphlet dedicated to Shadmoor State Park. I was told they hope to have the funds to have a station at the parking lot someday.
ARRIVAL and PARKING
Taking Route 27 east from the Town of Montauk you travel just a a mile of so out of town center and you will see the sign for the park on the right. Make a right into the area that has been cleared as a parking lot.
There is no vehicle use charge at this park as there is in some of the other nearby state parks. It looks to me like the lot could hold twenty or so cars. When I was there it was empty. An RV was there when I came back. I spoke briefly with the people and found out it was their first visit too. They were decked out in good hiking shoes, small back packs, and binoculars.
A little water, snacks, sun and bug lotion and a hat would complete most needs. They seemed to have on the perfect get up for hiking in this park. There is a gate at the head of the trails going into the park. This is to keep us out and let park vehicles in.
NO FACILITIES
I might mention that there are no restrooms, water stations, concessions or any amenities in this park. It is basically a hiking, birdwatching and fishing area. For facilities there is the nearby town of Montauk and also just east of the entrance to Shadmoor is the sign for Montauk Downs State Park. Restrooms, water, and food are available there. If you happened to be going to or from Montauk Point State Park, about three miles away, they have all that available too.
THE TRAILS
The trails of the park are paths that have been worn in by locals who have been using this privately owned, yet, uninhabited land, for their hiking pleasure for many years.
I walked the path that went pretty much straight to the bluff and beach area. There are many others that intersect this trail. I was there on a fairly overcast day. In the summer this area could be brutal. There isn't any shade on much of the paths.
In the summer, it seems to me that this would be the perfect place for a very early morning hike and watch the sun coming up over the horizon.
The views from the bluffs are magnificent. You can see all out toward the point and heading back west you see more of the white sand beaches that develop as you move west of the point.
Another thing was the interesting forms some of the clay bluff area had taken. It was somewhat like the spires of the Hoo Doo's in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Be careful when at the bluffs. Some of them can be undermined. I didn't see it as much as in Camp Hero, but, be aware.
From the bluffs there are stairs to get down to the beach, but, I was told by a park worker that they never know what shape they will be in due to tides and sands from the bluffs.
I did talk to one of the people at another park and was told that a seven day, overnight parking permit for fishing can be purchase for fifteen dollars at the Montauk Downs State Park.
You must have all fishing gear etc to be on the beach overnight. I was told they do check.
I spent about an hour and a half hiking around at this park.
I have much more to do there. Hopefully, if it ever stops raining here in the east I will go again with my wife and I will update this review.
For now, pleasant travels.
Popsrocks
Other detailed reviews by popsrocks of places on, and around Long Island
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Sagamore Hill Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Wyndham Watch, LI Fine hotel, poor service
Marriott Hotel LI Great Location
Sheraton Hotel,LI Recommended
Long Island So much to so many
New York City and so much more
New York State It's got so much to offer
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Fishermen-hunters
Review Topic: Overview
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