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The Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway parallels its namesake roadway 13.7-mile trail on Jones Beach Island, an outer barrier island off the southern coast of Long Island, NY.
About the Route
The southern end of the trail begins at the southern end of the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway, at Zachs Bay. The trail borders the northern side of the parkway, separated from the road by a grassy median and guardrail. The bay is to the left for about the first third of the journey. Heading east, there is a postcard-perfect panorama of the theater sitting right on the edge of the water, but the vegetation soon rises high enough to form a screen.
Continuing east, the vegetation flattens out in places, opening up views of the marshland beyond. There are mile markers painted on the asphalt. About midway, a Jones Beach State Park sign appears in the park’s signature Art Deco style, a style that is echoed in many of the park’s other structures, including the iconic Jones Beach Water Tower, looming to the west of the trail.
The trail continues out to Tobay Beach in the town of Oyster Bay. Bikes are prohibited on the beach, but there’s plenty of bike parking outside the turnstile entryway. Tobay Beach features restaurants, a water park, and a marina. On weekends and holidays the beach is for town residents only, but nonresidents can access it for a fee on weekdays.
As of 2021, the trail has been extended all the way out to the eastern end of the island at Captree State Park, with bike parking available along the way at the state park as well as Gilgo Beach and the Cedar Beach Marina, allowing trail users to easily make a stop for some fun in the sun along the water.
Connections
Continue on the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway north from Field 5 in Jones Beach State Park to Cedar Creek Park in Seaport. Alternatively, combine an adventure on the trail with a beach day and use the tunnels near the western endpoint of the trail to cross underneath Ocean Parkway and reach the Jones Beach Boardwalk. Bicyclists must go slowly on the boardwalk, as it tends to be teeming with enthusiastic beachgoers.
Trail History
Like Wantagh State Parkway, Ocean Parkway was built in the postwar 1930s to provide access to the crown jewel of the state park system, Jones Beach State Park. Unlike the former road, however, this one travels east–west and only recently added a pathway for nonmotorized traffic.
The Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway runs between Jones Beach Field 5, near Wantagh State Pkwy & Ocean Pkwy (Wantagh) and Captree State Park (3500 Ocean Parkway). Parking is available at both ends of the trail and at several locations along the route.
At the western end, parking is available at Jones Beach State Park (1000 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh). Note that there is an entrance fee for the park. Once parked, use the tunnel near the East Bathhouse to head under Ocean Pkwy. and access the trail on the other side. Turn right on the trail to travel on the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway (turning left will put you on the Jones Beach Bikeway going north).
There are also entrance/parking fees for Tobey Beach, Gilgo Beach, and Captree State Park.
Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.
During the summer, there are more than 2 stops along the way you can buy drinks and food.
27 mile total. On my way back, I was riding against the wind, so tired......
Perfect surface. Lovely surrounding. Safe. Thoroughly enjoyable. Watch headwind, plan to have tail wind for return leg…
Great ride smooth bike path cross wind is mean but I was able to clock 20 miles out and back.
07/11/20 Rode from Ellen Farrante to Ocean Parkway and found it closed at Tobay beach- Good news was beach and changing rooms open and safe.
18.35 mile round trip for me from the Cedar Creek Park on the Jones Beach Bikeway connecting to the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway at the Jones Beach theater. Beautiful ride, the food stands come in handy too!
Thursday, August 09, 2018, 90'F and humid
Yeah, a good ride, which connects via tunnels under the highway to Jones Beach and a more direct connection to the 5-mile bike path that goes north to the mainland. Get sweaty then enjoy the salty ocean beach waters. A go
Relaxed, smooth path and easy to follow. Not much shade but the cool breeze from the ocean makes up for it. Praying for the day this gets further extended. It's a Long Island gem. Thank you to all who make these trails possible.
Really nice path for in-line skating, but...the only way to deal with Tobay beach "residents only" parking is to get there before they start charging for the day (I think at 8am. I was there at 7am).
We just did this ride for the first time this morning. We rode on the Jones Beach boardwalk for a bit, then to Tobay and back. Tobay Beach was closed, but no bikes are allowed there anyway, according to the sign. There's room to park the bike and take a break before riding back.
The path itself is great. Smooth, scenic, and safe.
This description needs to be updated.
TOBAY is the town beach for TOWN OF OYSTER BAY and during "the season" it designed for residents only. As a resident, you must pay a daily fee per car or purchase a season pass in order to park in the lot for beach access.
Week days from Memorial day to Labor day non-residents may enter but it is at a steep cost of $20 per car load. On weekends Memorial day to Labor day you MUST be a resident.
The rest of the year ALL may access the parks and parking lot but there are no facilities like bathrooms and concession stands, these are only open during the season. After that you are SOL. Literally.
TECHNICALLY - You cannot start your ride from there as there is no way out to the path. But we have been going around the fences or up the exit ramp to Ocean Parkway and about 100 ft on the parkway to the trailhead all thanks to the newly installed ridiculous turnstile. I get the point of the turnstile, preventing folks from riding in the lots and /or to the two restaurants. TOBAY has a no bike riding, skates or scooters policy in the parking lots.
Many of us residents want to start from TOBAY without the fence climbing and danger of the roadway. I hope that the TOWN and the STATE can come together on a solution since it is a fantastic path for bike and fitness.
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