Suffolk County Parks beaches
Suffolk County runs three South Fork beach parks: Cupsogue in Westhampton, Meschutt in Hampton Bays and Shinnecock East. Parking is $9 per vehicle with a resident Green Key and $18 for non-residents, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Parks
- Cupsogue Beach County Park, Meschutt Beach County Park, Shinnecock East County Park. Cedar Point County Park (East Hampton) has a bay beach.
- Parking per vehicle
- Resident with Green Key $9. Non-resident $18. Seniors, handicapped, volunteers, auxiliary police, CERT and veterans with a Green Key $0. Credit cards add about 3%.
- Passes
- Resident Green Key card $30 ($15 for senior, junior and other discounted categories). Resident Unlimited Parking Pass $75. Non-resident VIP Green Key $200 gives resident rates.
- When fees apply
- Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dates may shift with the lifeguard season.
County beach parks are the quiet answer to the Hamptons permit problem. They sell parking by the car, at a flat rate, with no residency test. For a non-resident, $18 beats a $500 Town sticker unless you plan to be at a beach nearly every day. The catch is that the county parks sit at the western and Shinnecock Inlet ends of the South Fork, away from the village beaches. See the non-resident beach access guide for comparisons.
The three South Fork county beach parks
| Park | Where | Water | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cupsogue Beach County Park | 975 Dune Road, Westhampton | Ocean and bay | 296-acre barrier beach with lifeguards, fishing and camping. Recreational vehicle permit required for outer beach access |
| Meschutt Beach County Park | Canal Road and Old North Highway, Hampton Bays | Great Peconic Bay | Stillwater, supervised bathing beach east of the Shinnecock Canal, with windsurfing and sailing area |
| Shinnecock East County Park | Meadow Lane, Southampton | Ocean and bay | Undeveloped barrier beach east of Shinnecock Inlet; off-road vehicles may use the outer beach; 100 self-contained campsites with a Green Key |
Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton offers bay beach access too, and Montauk County Park has a lake beach.
Parking fees
The county’s fee schedule lists the same weekday and weekend beach parking rates: $9 per vehicle for a resident with a Green Key and $18 for a non-resident, cash. Credit card payments add a surcharge that brings those to $9.24 and $18.49. Seniors, handicapped visitors, volunteer firefighters and EMTs, auxiliary police, CERT members and veterans pay $0 with a Green Key. The fee schedule lists a Resident Unlimited Parking Pass, valid at all parks, at $75 cash. The county notes that official rates are set by the County Legislature and can change.
Parking rates apply from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside that window, the park rules posted on site apply.
Green Key cards
A resident Green Key card costs $30, or $15 for senior, junior, handicapped, volunteer and veteran categories. Resident cards are valid for three years. Non-resident cards last one year from purchase. The $200 non-resident VIP Green Key charges resident parking rates, which saves $9 a visit over the $18 non-resident fee. It pays for itself after about 23 visits.
County and state parks side by side
| Park | Operator | Water | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cupsogue | Suffolk County | Ocean and bay | $18 non-resident, $9 resident Green Key |
| Meschutt | Suffolk County | Great Peconic Bay | $18 non-resident, $9 resident Green Key |
| Shinnecock East | Suffolk County | Ocean and bay | $18 non-resident, $9 resident Green Key |
| Cedar Point | Suffolk County | Gardiner’s Bay | County park rates; confirm at the gate |
| Hither Hills | NY State Parks | Ocean | Vehicle use fee; $80 Empire Pass |
| Montauk Point | NY State Parks | Ocean | Vehicle use fee at scheduled times; $80 Empire Pass |
Use a county park for a single day, a state park for Montauk’s ocean side without a Town of East Hampton sticker, and a seasonal Town or village permit only if you plan many beach days. See the State Parks page for Hither Hills and Montauk Point.
Rules that differ from town beaches
County parks have their own regulations on alcohol, drones and vehicles, posted on each park’s page. A town or village sticker is never accepted. Southampton Town says its permits are not valid at county facilities.
Common questions
What is a Green Key card?
It is the Suffolk County Parks card that unlocks resident rates. Resident cards are valid three years. A non-resident reservation key costs $50, and a non-resident VIP Green Key costs $200 and entitles the holder to resident rates.
Does my Southampton Town beach permit work here?
No. Southampton Town says its permits are not valid at Suffolk County beach facilities. County parks charge their own parking fee.
Can I drive on the sand at the county parks?
Only with a county recreational vehicle permit. Cupsogue requires one for outer beach access and camping, and Shinnecock East allows off-road vehicles on the outer beach.
Sources
Checked October 2026; page updated . Rules and prices on this page describe the 2026 season unless a line says otherwise.