Tis the season for outdoor activities! If you’re looking for an active adventure on Long Island, you may want to explore one of the local hiking trails. Check out some recommendations below:
Garvies Point
- Garvies Point Preserve in Glen Clove: Over a dozen programs relating to local geology, archaeology, and outdoor environmental themes are offered to school groups during school hours.
- Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge: This 3,209-acre refuge includes subtidal (bay bottom to mean high tide line) habitats, saltmarsh and a freshwater pond. Oyster Bay is the largest refuge in the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex and receives the most public use of all the refuges. Morton, Target Rock, and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuges are opened to the public and have maintained facilities for visitors. Here, you will find informative interpretive signs and brochures at kiosks to orient you to the trail system. Guided hikes can also be scheduled if you call ahead.
- The Nature Conservancy’s Uplands Farm : A double-loop trail surrounded by red cedar, oak, hickory and other tall trees. Butterflies and birds, as well as wood frogs and salamanders frolic in the area’s pools in season.
- Muttontown Preserve in Syosset: Compromising of 550 acres of fields, woodlands, ponds and estate grounds, Muttontown is Nassau County’s largest nature preserve and one of the most beautiful settings on Long Island. The preserve includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Maps & brochures are available for self-guided tours and include descriptions of various areas along the trails. In the winter, residents can enjoy the cross-country skiing trails that are available when weather allows.
- Bailey Arboretum in Lattingtown: 40 acres of woods, ponds and gardens including well-marked woodland trails are open year-round. Admission is free.
- Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson: If you’re looking for a tamer stroll, head to Clark Botanic Garden, a 12-acre living museum and educational facility. Collections at the garden include native spring wildflowers, conifers, roses, perennials, daylilies, wetland plants, rock garden plants, herbs, butterfly plants, medicinal plants and over a dozen collections of particular plant families
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