Hempstead Lake State Park is a 737-acre park located in Nassau County, New York. The park offers a variety of activities for visitors, including fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching.

One of the main attractions at Hempstead Lake State Park is the lake itself, which covers 121 acres and is stocked with a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. Visitors can rent rowboats, paddle boats, and kayaks to explore the lake or fish from the shore.

Another popular activity at the park is hiking, with several trails winding through the wooded areas and along the lake. The park also has a picnic area with tables and grills for visitors to enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner.

For birdwatchers, the park is home to a variety of bird species, including great blue herons, ospreys, and bald eagles. In the winter, the park is a popular spot for ice fishing on the lake.

Interesting facts about the park include its history as a site for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, as well as its use as a summer camp for underprivileged children in the 1940s and 50s.

The best time of year to visit Hempstead Lake State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm, and the lake is open for swimming and boating. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors and in the winter when the lake freezes over for ice fishing.