Long Island is full of parks and preserves full of secluded forests, wetlands, fields, and coastlands. Check out these family-friendly hikes on Long Island.
About 10 thousands years ago the Wisconsin glacier receded, leaving behind rock, sand and soil that created Long Island. The receding glacier carved out a huge depression, which soon filled with water, forming a sound. Long Island, America’s most populous island, is 118 miles long and 23 miles wide. Thirteen tunnels and nine bridges connect Long Island to Manhattan and the NYC boroughs.
Elizabeth A Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Located about 10-15 minutes from downtown Sag Harbor, Morton Wildlife Refuge is 187-acre is a great place to interact with wild songbirds. Hike the 1.4 mile self guided Wilds Bird Nature Trail through the woodlands or down to the water. Hold out seed and wait for the birds to come eat out of your hand.Walk the beach for 2 miles along Jessup’s Neck Peninsula observing piping plovers, terns, rosettes, and perhaps a sea turtle!
Blydenburgh County Park is a 627 acre dog friendly county park in Suffolk County consists of approximately 6 miles of loop trails around Stump Pond. The trail along the east side of the pond is relatively flat while the west side contains more hills and varied terrain. On the west side of Stump Pond there will be many ups and downs, offering great views of the pond. A 3/4 mile winding boardwalk meanders through wetlands. If you are not up for the entire loop around Stump Pond you can ease into by doing sections of the trail first. Be sure you are prepared with water bottle and snacks.
Sunken Meadow State Park offers a plethora of activities. In the summer the beach has lifeguards, showers, pavilion with food, and music. From field 3 at the eastern part of the park people launch windsurfers, kayaks, paddle boards and canoes. Many people enjoy walking the 3/4 mile boardwalk along the beach. The topography of Sunken Meadow Park varies between flat open fields to “cardiac hill” in the woods. The park is the northern end of the Long Island Greenbelt trail for hiking. To reach the hiking trails from parking field 1 or 3 there are bridges that stretch over Sunken Meadow Creek as it runs from the inside of the park to tidal flats at the mouth of the Nissequogue river. To the south of the creek are heavily wooded areas with hills and trails.
Prosser Pines in Middle Island is a unique and rare forest and is one of the oldest surviving White Pine Plantations to exist in the eastern United States. Prosser Pines Loop Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is for hiking and trail running and is accessible year-round. Dogs on leashes are welcome on this trail.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is a state park on Lloyd Neck, a peninsula in the Long Island Sound, in the Village of Lloyd Harbor, New York. It is operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Caumsett offers miles of paths for horseback riding, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. The park has beautiful gardens, excellent fishing and scuba diving by permit.
David Weld Sanctuary is located on the north shore of Long Island, NY, near St. James on Short Beach Road. The trail is approximately 2 miles with a section that leads to a rocky beach with large boulders. The David Weld Sanctuary was donated by Mrs. and Mr. David Weld between 1969 & 1979. A few neighbors added land to the donation, making it a 125 acre preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy.
Mashomack preserve on Shelter Island has 11 miles of coastline and acres of interlacing tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields, and freshwater marshes. There is an accessible 1 mile trail; and 1.5, 3, 6, & 12 mile loops. There is also a marine water trail. Open daily July & August, closed Tuesdays in Sept-June, and open weekends only in January.
Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River consists of 13 distinct walking areas over the 691 acres situated on the Connetquot River. Parking is $8 for the day, or free with an Empire Pass. There are no pets, no biking, no sports, no games, or swimming. You will find many gardens, a self sustaining community farm, chickens, bees and pinetums. A cafe in the main mansion offers light luncheons and tea.
Avalon Park and Preserve is located at 200 Harbor Road, Stony Brook NY. Avalon is founded by the Paul Simons foundation, honoring the life of Paul Simons, a local outdoor enthusiast who died at a young age. Paul Simons spirit and creative energy is kept alive in the natural world held within Avalon. Avalon Park, the pond, labyrinth, and sculpture is 8 acres, while the preserve is 76 acres and is connected to the park through the “red” path which crosses Rhododendron Road.
Pirate’s Cove is now officially called McAllister Park. Parking used to be private in Belle Terre, the closest area to the cove, but now there are park spaces available to the public on Anchorage Road. Once you park you are at the entrance of the cove, at the North East corner of Port Jefferson Harbor. The cove is a result of a sand and gravel mining operation. The remains of the mining operation can be found throughout the park. McAllister is a 113 acre Suffolk County park. Following the dunes to the path along the inlet and back again can clock in 3 miles.
Make sure you have all the necessities for hiking!
2 thoughts on “Top 10 Family-Friendly Hikes on Long Island, New York”
Thanks for this article. Do you need to live in Nassau or Suffolk country to get into any of these parks? I live in queens.
You do not need to live in Suffolk or Nassau. Enjoy!!