Beaver Island State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Kaufman Playground Aqua Lane Park
Last Updated: December 6, 2025
Beaver Island State Park is located on Grand Island in the state of New York and is one of the most popular destinations in the area.
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Summary
There are many great reasons to visit this park, including its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and wide range of recreational activities.
One of the main points of interest at Beaver Island State Park is its beach, which is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The park also features a golf course, a nature center with exhibits on the area's flora and fauna, and a marina for boating and fishing.
In addition to these amenities, visitors to Beaver Island State Park can also explore the many hiking and biking trails that crisscross the park's 950 acres of forested terrain. There are also opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting, with common sightings including white-tailed deer, beavers, and bald eagles.
Interesting facts about Beaver Island State Park include its history as a former summer retreat for wealthy New Yorkers, as well as its status as one of the largest freshwater islands in the world. The park also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including nature walks, birding seminars, and live music performances.
The best time of year to visit Beaver Island State Park depends on your interests and preferences. Summer is the most popular season for swimming and boating, while fall is a great time to see the changing leaves and enjoy the park's many hiking trails. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and spring brings a burst of wildflowers and bird activity. Ultimately, any time of year is a good time to explore this beautiful state park and all it has to offer.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Kaufman Playground
Aqua Lane Park
Black Rock Canal Park
Ensminger Playfield
Isle View Park