McAllister County Park

beautiful view at sunset. Went at high tide, really a decent hike. Parking is tiny. We couldn’t stay there was no parking. We waited like 30 minutes no one moved unfortunately. Will try again another day.

I recently visited this beautiful spot to catch the sunset, and the views did not disappoint. The sky was painted with hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a breathtaking backdrop that's perfect for photos. However, there's a catch – parking is extremely limited, so arrive early to secure a spot.

Be warned: the authorities are vigilant about parking regulations, and fines are handed out quickly to those who don't follow the rules. I saw a few visitors receive tickets for parking in unauthorized areas, which was a costly mistake. To avoid the stress and extra expense, make sure to park in designated areas.

Despite the parking challenges, the stunning sunset views make it worth the effort. Bring a picnic, arrive early, and enjoy the scenery while you wait for the sun to set. Just be mindful of the parking rules to make the most of your visit.

*Tips:*

- Arrive at least an hour before sunset to secure parking
- Park only in designated areas to avoid fines
- Bring a picnic to enjoy while you take in the views

*Recommended for:* Sunset enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers

*Will I return?:* Yes, I'll be back – with plenty of time to spare for parking!

Totally worth the effort of waiting for coveted parking spot (just 6 parking spots if everyone parks nicely). Pirates Cove and man-made sand dunes were highlights of the visit for me. Landscape is to a large degree an outcome of Seaboard Dredging company’s operations to produce gravel and sand for NYC construction at the beginning of 20th century. Rare occasion where the result is so impressive. Another attraction is watching ferries from Port Jeff to CT, they come really close to jetty. Scarcity of parking spots has some beneficial effect on attendance (at least off-season), so you get fewer fellow visitors exploring park at the same time.

Beautiful, peaceful hidden gem.
First, getting there, you enter into Belleterre Village, down the main road. Just before the end of the road, you'll see the sign on your left for the park. There's a small parking area ( fits 5-6 cars at most). Don't park on the road, the village constable will give you a ticket. If you get there early, you'll get a spot. If you don't get a spot, the only options are to park outside the village, and walk in, or wait for someone to leave. If you walk in it's about a 1.5 mile walk roundtrip.
Inside, the park it's a u-shape area. It's really beautiful. You'll walk along the water to the other side. There are very tall dunes. You can climb them and when you get to the top you'll be treated to a spectacular bird's eye view of the entire area, and an awesome view of the Long Island sound. The entire park is almost like an Island. You can wonder and explore, or climb the dunes or sit by the beach. There's less beach during high tide. There's a lot of poison ivy, so keep an eye out. There are no restrooms. There is a lot of birds, and it's a sanctuary for piping plovers. They are super cute. The park is a little bit of work to get to, but the views are very worth it. Enjoy.l

This is a very beautiful, quiet and captivating park. My experience climbing those Sand Dunes was amazing, I felt like I was on top of the world. This is my first time being to such a beautiful place in NY. The only minus is that, there are no restrooms at this park. Nevertheless, I would visit it again & again.