Purchased in 1885 by kings county asylum of Brooklyn, the property went on to become a self contained community of sorts offering mental help and care as well as a home to the patients that lived here. Being completely self sufficient, Kings County Asylum boasted its own Vegetable gardens and dairy at its height, it also supplied its own power through a small private electric plant on the premises. Eventually through modernization and improvements in medicine and health care the property eventually started to decommission buildings and no longer took on new patients. Completely closing around 1996 it eventually was turned over to the state becoming a park in 2000. I found Nissquogue river state park to be a very interesting park to visit, the north end of the park offers a nice walking trail as well as beautiful views of the Nissquogue river with over looking bluffs and a small beach front not for swimming. You will find a marina on the property offering boat slips as well as a boat launch if you choose to trailer your boat in for the day and many places to launch your kayak from and travel the river. Most of the property appears to still be in a developmental stage as far as parks go. Walking the property is an explorers delight allowing you to check out the decommissioned hospital buildings and infrastructure some of which dates back to the late 1800's and early 1900's. read more

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Beautiful state park. Free now but use your Empire pass or pay $8 or $10 per car during the summer. Was a mental hospital for veterans in its early years. The abandoned buildings and sad history may turn off some. It's not as popular as other nearby parks probably because of its history but the wraparound water views and green make this place a gem. Bathrooms open daily until sunset. Clean and well maintained. On a Spring rain day, I dined Al fresco with a friend and enjoyed being outdoors under cover. read more

Nissequogue River State Park - Parks Near Me - Kings Park, New York

This park is a hidden gem. A short distance east of the better known and well attended Sunken Meadow Park. It is built around the former grounds of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center. In spite of active renovation there are still a few buildings around with character (and unpleasant memories). We parked near the HQ building and made the short walk to the active marina. After that, you follow a dirt road along the water to the beach and estuary. On our first trip we saw a number of egrets here, but they were hiding the second time around. Then you emerge on a rocky beach area with great views of tethered boats. The boat area has a number of spherical floats and, on our recent visit, most of them were occupied with cormorants. Now and then, one would take a swim and make a great show of drying off its wings in the sun. Cormorants are one of the rare birds that can swim entirely under water. If you ever want to see one, visit here. Once in awhile, you would see another human or two, but this is a very peaceful place to spread a blanket, breathe deeply and watch the boats go by. read more

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I wouldn't say this park, named after the Algonquian-speaking Nissequaq tribe, entails a hike. It's more of a quick walk through some pretty trees that you can do in flip-flops. It culminates by the Sound, where there's some sand to walk through and a bunch of boats and kayaks to look at. There's a small parking lot by the marina, and that's where people seem to start their kayaking down the river. The river was so nice to look at and walk by. The park is pretty underwhelming, but it's quiet and relaxing. It makes for a chill activity for twenty to thirty minutes. I was so disappointed that they didn't take my friend's military ID, which allows you to go to any state park for free. It's only an $8 park fee, but it's about the principle. That's literally what the park card is for. Also, there aren't any real bathrooms. There are a few port-a-potties. Overall, I definitely wouldn't say this park is worth a trip, but if you're in the area, I guess go for a low-key walk and glance at the river. read more

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The park is very walkable and it has a lot of nice hiking trails and you can also launch your kayak. There is an area of abandoned buildings if you dare to go by them good luck. They might be haunted lol. read more

Nissequogue River State Park - Nissequogue River State Park Sign - Parks Near Me - Kings Park, New York

It's alright. Very short trail, less than a mile. Takes you to a small beach. Unfortunately no one there is wearing a mask, made me feel very uncomfortable. Just because you are outside doesn't mean coronavirus doesn't exist, people! Overall, this park is underwhelming. Few cool views and a few cool abandoned buildings but other than that it's more of a "I wanna go to the beach but the beaches are at capacity" type place. read more

Nissequogue River State Park - Parks Near Me - Kings Park, New York

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I've heard quite a bit about this park, mostly from kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts, and it is a WONDERFUL spot to launch. While I was just home on LI for a quick visit, I was DYING for my trusty kayak, which sits sadly in the garage, gathering dust back home in Ohio. Nevertheless, this is GREAT spot to explore, and as you wander the grounds of this former (mental) institution turned wildlife preserve and bird refuge, your (over-active) imagination, if it's anything like mine, will take you in a million directions as you explore (from a distance) the abandoned hospital buildings and doctor/patient residences. Eerie, interesting, thought-provoking... Plenty to explore, both in nature, and how Mother Nature takes back even the most "ambitious" of our man-made creations. Without getting too philosophical about how we might "warehouse" our "undesirables," and spend zillions on the "latest and greatest" state of the art structures, only to find them "obsolete" a generation or two later, this is a fine park to explore, whether on the beautiful surrounding waterways or by foot or bicycle. Don't miss the informative visitor's center at the entrance, and if you're here like we were late summer, the BEAUTIFUL dahlia garden at the building's entrance. Worth a visit!! read more

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This is one of my favorite parks. I've been going for years. Let me say though, the tall building others keep adding photos of, Building 93, it's not part of the park. It's across the street from the park and as cool as it is, it's off limits. If you get caught, you'll get a summons or arrested. Just a couple of weeks ago we saw a group of about 5 young people getting rounded up by cops for being inside. The park itself is quiet and eery. There are buildings left over from the old Kings Park Psychiatric Center (which closed down in 1993) that remain scattered across the property, both in the park and outside it. They are in varying states of decay and awesome to look at and wonder about the stories that lie within the walls. On the park side you can freely walk around outside the buildings, but going inside isn't permitted (and watch out for poison ivy growing all over the buildings' facades). Unfortunately (in my opinion at least), they've started tearing buildings down. I know they are becoming increasing unsafe so I do understand why, it's just a bit sad. A short time from now barely any remnants of the dark but fascinating history will remain. I'm glad I've been photographing it over the years. It will be interesting for the park to transform as we see most of the Doctors Housing has now been demolished and is being replace with a pavilion and picnic area (so it seems from the work being done). I will just miss some of those old buildings. There is a playground, a small one. There's lots of areas to walk around, including a hiking trail. There's also kayaking/canoeing in the on-season. It's really quite a neat park all around. I only wish they could have figured out a way to save more of the buildings and make it part of the attraction permanently (like eastern state penitentiary). It has been a lot of years though, so I guess things can't always stay the same. read more

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Very neat park and the psychiatric asylum is certainly harrowing thing to see and walk past.

What a better way to start the year then with a group hike. They have facilities which were pretty clean which was great. We took the white trail and it was nice and not very hard. The only thing I didn't like is that part of the hike you have to walk on the road by a very nice private neighborhood. Even if the neighborhood was nice and quiet I prefer to have my hike fully in the woods. read more

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Hmm yes this is a park but it's a park on the grounds of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center! The grounds are expansive. A good part overlooks the water, you can see The Bluff and some of the town beaches from certain spots. There are bathrooms located inside the visitors center building located near the playground (Northern end of the park). There's a playground, trails, but you are surrounded by the old, creepy psych center buildings! There were lots of people of all ages walking around everywhere. Growing up in the area I'd say now it definitely has become an even bigger hot spot for explorers and photographers. All I can say is, yes the views are nice when looking towards the water but there's just such a creepy, nightmare like feeling all over the place! I also hope that there isn't an extreme amount of lead and or asbestos in the air. The buildings are abandoned and falling apart. People love exploring them (the ones that are still standing). It's interesting, check it out! read more

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Review 666: Following the Yelp tradition of the monumental review, I have decided to write on a place that is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Unfortunately this review happens to fall on my Birthday. I don't want review 666 to be my sole review on my Birthday, so I will write this quick. Although I currently live in Las Vegas, I was born and raised on Long Island. I spent my childhood in East Setauket and young adulthood in Holbrook. Just before I moved to Florida, I spent my last week living in Long Island exploring the beautiful parks. That shouldn't be a surprise. It was in this week in the Spring of 2000 that I explored at the time, the newly opened Nisseqogue River State Park. It was one of the parks that gave birth to an appreciation of hiking. Nisseqogue River State Park is a beautiful land of rolling hardwoods and wetlands along the scenic 25A corridor on Long Islands Gold Coast. In a way it is an extension of the open spaces of Sunken Meadow State Park and a jewel along the tapestry of the Nisseqogue River Greenbelt. It is 153 acres where rabbits and deer outnumber automobiles. It is an oasis to go canoeing. It is a gateway to Long Island Sound. And it is a place that is perceived to have a haunted history. Nisseqogue River State Park is nature gradually reclaiming a portion of the late Kings Park Psychiatric Center. As the park grows, former buildings will either be replaced or demolished. These buildings date back to 1885 when Kings County was independent of New York City. As the city grew, so did the problem of mental illness. In Brooklyn, the psychiatric hospitals were crowded and though of as unhealthy for the patient's health. Long before Stop & Shops, Waldbaums, and shopping centers, the vicinity of Kings Park was rural. In the best interest of the patients, they built a psychiatric complex in what was St. Johnland. During its 111 year history (if I am not mistaken) this grew into a self sustained community that included a general store, power plant, a railroad spur, tunnels, farms, and a dock. As the population grew, the state built the buildings up. These buildings were creepy. Building 93 was the epitome of creepy. It looked just like a tower of terror. A few websites state that it was 13 floors. When I got my license and drove through the grounds of Kings Park, I was fascinated by this building with the haunted looking buildings in the complex. Living in the suburbs, I did not see creepy buildings surrounded by pristine woodland and open spaces. It wasn't just me. People would travel to building 93 to be creeped out regardless of No Tresspassing signs. There are websites on the Internet that claim that something haunted happened to them. I could believe it. Many people lived and breathed then passed on in the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Building 93 was a landmark. Today, a hardwood forest is the tallest feature of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center. It is my understanding that the State recently tore it down. I think the ghosts of Kings Park will be happy with the upbeat spirit of Nisseqogue River State Park. The Kings Park Psychiatric Center is getting a new life as Nisseqogue River State Park proper extends deeper into the grounds. Recently part of the Railroad spur was redeveloped into a bicycle and hiking trail. This is sprawling parkland where people can escape the malls and spend time in the sun. And what better way to prevent mental depression than the saratorium from the sun. read more

Pleasant park to visit in Kings Park located right off the grounds of the abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center campus. You'll see many closed off buildings that are pretty creepy given the dark history of the hospital. Follow the trails along the bluffs over looking the Long Island Sound and the mouth of the Nissequogue river. Best to enjoy in the spring and fall when the weather is nicer. There is some construction currently underway since they're knocking down some of the old buildings so be mindful of that. Also note, don't even think about entering the grounds off 25A after dark. Suffolk Police are waiting right at the entrance and you will be ticketed so any thrill seekers or paranormal buffs looking to check out the abandoned buildings at night will be caught. Nice park to visit and recommended. read more

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There is an old hospital there with a bunch of other abandoned buildings. There is also a couple of marinas. Many people get creeped out by the abandoned buildings but I think the one is really cool will all the art on the windows. read more

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It's a park that was originally the now abandoned Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Seriously. And if that's not enough, the original buildings are still standing. They're all boarded up now, but the town's attempt to beautify these buildings with pictures of children's paintings on a doors and windows to a mental institution didn't do much but bolster the whole eeriness of the place. It's a bit odd to see a playground with a bunch of kids playing, and 100 feet away is a boarded up old building with broken glass, rusted railings, and crumbling cement. I don't understand the appeal of having a picnic on a picnic bench next to an abandoned mental hospital. Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this park to anyone who is fascinated by abandoned buildings, or just wants to feel spooked. I certainly did. It's also a great area to take pictures. Gather a group of friends or a buddy, cause I would be too scared to walk around here alone. read more

Building 93 is one of the most astounding abandoned buildings I've ever seen. I had seen plenty pictures of this state park but until I drove up and stood there, looking up at it with my own two eyes, I hadn't understood exactly how massive it was. My hair stood on end the second we turned the corner and I saw it. The entire park is covered with so many huge buildings, all abandoned and the decay is pretty advanced. The cold January day my friend and I visited it was completely overcast - making the atmosphere even more eerie. Sure, there's plenty of big abandoned buildings out there but 13 floors of psychiatric hospital remains - that's crazy! read more

Nissequogue River State Park - Building 93 - Parks Near Me - Kings Park, New York

I agree with the other reviewer. It's very eerie. It's sad too. The history is depressing and disturbing. No matter how tempting, it's best to avoid entering any buildings because of asbestos. I don't know how much exposure it takes but why bother. If you're riding a bike or walking through any of the rooms, you'll make contact with lead paint, dust, and who knows what else. But do explore the now silent, serene grounds and views while they're still around. read more

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Excellent off the beaten path place to spend a day. There is an entry fee and worth it. Biking, walking, hiking and learning history are all part of this experience. The greenbelt train for LI intersects this place as well. I went into one of the public facilities and it was a nice part of history. The staff/ground keepers were lovely. There is a boating area and a place to launch a canoe/kayak. read more

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My boyfriend lives right down the road from this river. I can see it right outside the windows anywhere in the house. It's an amazing view. The sunsets and sun rises are gorgeous. No matter what kind of weather, it is beautiful. I love going for walks or runs along the river, and can't WAIT to go kayaking in the summer! It's such a relaxing and serene place to be. If you have a whole day to yourself, check out the Kings Park Bluff which is also in the area. It's not exactly part of Nissequogue but it's right there and definitely a place to visit when you need that day of peace. read more

This is a good place to come for a hike. There is a lot of area to explore. The abandoned buildings are a real gem. I cannot imagine walking through this place after sunset though. read more