Shadmoor State Park, Coastal state park in Montauk, United States
Shadmoor State Park is a coastal park on the south shore of Montauk, in Suffolk County, New York State. It combines direct beach access, open grasslands, walking trails, and raised observation decks that look out over the Atlantic Ocean.
During World War II, the site was part of New York's coastal defense system, and two concrete bunkers built at that time are still standing today. The land was later protected as a state park to keep the shoreline from being developed.
The shadbush plants that inspired the park's name still grow here and are easy to spot along the trails in spring. The open grasslands give the place a raw, windswept feel that sets it apart from the more developed stretches of Montauk nearby.
The park is open throughout the year and has free parking close to the entrance. Bring sturdy footwear and an extra layer, as the wind off the ocean can be strong even on clear days.
The sand plain gerardia, a federally listed endangered plant, grows in the park and exists in only a handful of places along the entire east coast. Most visitors walk right past it without knowing they are looking at one of the rarest wild plants in the region.
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