[6] The park is situated at the tip of the North Fork of Long Island.

Long Beach, located within the park, was designated a National Natural Landmark in April 1980[7] for its 2.5-mile (4.0 km) sand spit beach demonstrating plant succession from salt marsh to maritime red cedar forest.

[9] The park offers 45,000 feet (14,000 m; 8.5 mi) of bay frontage, and includes a beach, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, recreation programs, a nature trail, hiking and biking (rentals available), fishing and a food concession.

[11] In 1997, park rangers began enforcing an existing no boating policy on Long Beach, leading to controversy and ticketing in 2000.

State officials contended that renewed enforcement was enacted to protect the beach's value as a protected sanctuary for endangered birds such as the piping plover, in addition to preserving the beach's unusual maritime red cedar forest and other rare plants.