Hamlin Beach State Park is located on the shore of Lake Ontario in the Town of Hamlin in Monroe County, New York in the United States of America.
The park offers a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, surfing, hiking and biking, fishing, a campground with 264 tent and trailer sites, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, a boat launch, and a food concession.
The Lake Ontario State Parkway passes through the park.
Hamlin Beach is a favorite recreational spot for thousands of Rochesterians. Its large guarded beaches, excellent fishing access, hundreds of campsites and numerous trails offer a full day's worth of activities.
For Monroe County and surrounding area residents, Hamlin Beach offers a few attractions that other area parks just can't. The large, developed beach gives visitors an opportunity to swim in cleaner, guarded waters that are rarely closed due to contamination. Although officially only a few sections of beach are open for swimming during the summer, the expansive sandy shore is always available for sunbathing, sandcastles, strolling and relaxing. On sunny, hot days the beach is usually packed, even with all available sections opened, but there is plenty more to do along this lakefront park.
Another amenity Hamlin Beach offers that other Monroe County parks don't, is the developed camping facilities. There are 264 electric sites, with restrooms, hot showers, a laundromat, hiking trails, a convenience store and recreation hall. The electric, roads, and camper pads have all been updated as of spring 2013. Book well ahead of time to ensure a decent location.
Enclosed picnic shelters are a hot-spot for parties and weddings, while smaller get-togethers crowd around the shaded picnic tables and grills. For those who leave their BBQ supplies at home, or need to cool off a bit, two snack bars offer up various chips, cold drinks and ice-cream.
The easternmost end features a less crowded wooded nature trail along Yanty Creek in the Yanty Marsh. This well-developed trail is a great opportunity to spot wildlife or to escape the crowds. One could then walk the lakeside trail past the pavilions, fishing pier and swimming beaches to the west end of the park. Open fields along gently rolling hills overlook unguarded beaches and pristine views of the lake. The landscaping on this side is excellent, and it is no surprise there's often a wedding or other large event going on. You[who?] will also find this spot ideal for throwing a football or baseball around.
History
Like many other upstate parks, plenty of evidence of the Civilian Conservation Corp's handiwork is apparent with their characteristic stone-work on headwalls, barriers and pavilions. Their work on the park spanned six years and was responsible for six buildings and the reclamation of swampland on the eastern end. During World War II, the site was used as a POW camp, housing up to 336 prisoners by 1946. The camp served as a labor hub, providing cheap, much-needed workers to local farms and food processing plants in the Hamlin area. The camp was dismantled when the war was over.
The site became a state park in 1938 and development began to expand it even further. The Lake Ontario State Parkway was extended through the park, drastically increasing the influx of visitors. The parking lot was expanded to handle the capacity, and the campgrounds were built.
During the 1970s, the park, specifically the beach, was suffering from large amounts of erosion from storms. State and Federal funding was provided and the beaches were rebuilt and jetties were added to help prevent further damage. Development on the Yanty Creek Nature trail began as well. It is now a mile-long trail with educational markers along the way.
Accessibility
Seasons/Hours: Year round, Swimming from late June through Labor Day. Beach rarely closes due to pollution. Campsites are available early May through Columbus day. Best time to visit: Spring through fall.
Time: All day.
Parking: 3 lots along the main road through the park. 2,500 cars
Admission: $7 parking fee.
Handicap accessibility: yes.
Pets: Yes, on leash no longer than 6'. Must have proof of inoculation before entering camping area. No animals allowed on beach.
Accommodations: Restrooms; picnic areas; drinking fountains; beach access; swimming; lifeguards; grills; showers; snack bars; nature trails; pavilions; 264 electrical camping sites with showers; laundromat; convenience store.
Boating: Hand launch from the designated area North of A-1 parking lot; Car top from the launch on the eastern end of the beach - Yantee Creek parking area.
Trails - Easy
Map: Official Park map
Markings: Trailheads clearly marked.
The Yanty Creek Nature Trail is on the eastern end of the park and the trailhead is accessible by the park road. There is parking for about 6 cars at the trailhead. The trail is stone or mulch and winds around in a loop. You simply cannot get lost. Informational placards are provided along the way. The Shoreline Trail is a paved trail that runs along the lake east to west, passing by the beaches. It's a great path for biking. There are several other small trails within the campgrounds and other wooded areas.
Do not miss...
The Devil's Nose is a small dirt bluff on the westernmost end of the park. It most likely got its name from the danger it posed for passing ships when Lake Ontario was a popular shipping route. The tree-covered bluff is just a small fraction of the massive sand and clay shoal that extends out for a mile under the lake, which can easily trap a large vessel. The above-water section of the Nose used to be much larger, but rising lake levels and erosion has drastically reduced the size. Because of its unstable, steep cliffs this section of the park is closed to visitors. (Bird's eye view of Devil's nose).
Contact
Hamlin Beach State Park
1 Camp Road
Hamlin, NY 14464
Phone: 585-964-2462
Reservations: 800-456-2267
See also
References
External links
http://friendsofhamlinbeach.org/ https://www.facebook.com/FOHBSP Coordinates: 43°21′40″N 77°57′11″W / 43.361°N 77.953°W
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