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Long Island's Suffolk County Parks offer a treasure trove of activities to immerse yourself in nature. Go for a stroll, pack your tent, or cast your line for a peaceful day of fishing. Explore the diverse landscapes and rich wildlife at one of the many parks from our guide.
Hiking-
Although choosing one perfect hiking trail can be a challenge, many of the trails connect, allowing you to customize your adventure. Whether you're a beginner looking for a short stroll along some trees or an experienced hiker seeking a multi-day challenge, there's something for everyone. Here are Long Island's best parks for hiking trails, split up into which part of the island they're located:
West
Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown
Gardiner County Park, Bay Shore
Sans Souci County Park, Bayport
Lakeland County Park, Islandia
Makamah Nature Preserve, Fort Salonga
West Hills County Park, Huntington
Central
Cathedral Pines County Park, Middle Island
Cordwood Landing, Miller Place
Forsythe Meadow County Park, Stony Brook
Terrell River County Park, Center Moriches
Thomas Muratore Park at Farmingville Hills County Park, Farmingville
East End
Calverton Ponds Preserve, Manorville
Cranberry Bog Nature Preserve, Riverhead
Goldsmith’s Inlet County Park, Southold
Inlet Pond County Park, Greenport
Laurel Valley County Park, Sag Harbor
Ruth Olivia Preserve at Damn Pond, Greenport
Sears Bellows County Park, Hampton Bays
Fishing-
"🌙:" Night fishing is permitted
Long Island is a year-round fishing destination and there are always fish to take your bait. Whether you’re after freshwater or saltwater species, there’s a perfect park for you to try your luck. Explore our list of parks to find the ideal fishing spot:
Freshwater Fishing
Big Reed Pond at Montauk County Park, Montauk
Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown
Lake Ronkonkoma County Park, Lake Ronkonkoma 🌙
Millers Pond, Village of the Branch
Sears Bellows County Park, Hampton Bays
Southaven County Park, Brookhaven
Saltwater Fishing
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
Charles F. Altenkirch County Park, Hampton Bays 🌙
Cordwood Landing, Miller Place 🌙
Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton 🌙
Indian Island County Park, Riverhead
Montauk County Park, Montauk 🌙
Northwest Harbor County Road, East Hampton
Orient County Park, Orient 🌙
Shinnecock East County Park, Southampton 🌙
Smith Point County Park, Shirley 🌙
Camping-
"🌊:" Outer beach camping
Reconnect with nature and spend some quality time with loved ones outdoors while camping. Long Island offers a variety of campgrounds, from scenic woodlands to oceanfront sites, tents to campers.
The camping season runs from April 1 to November 11, with limited options available in the off-season at Smith Point and Indian Island.
Family Camping
Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown
Cathedral Pines County Park, Middle Island
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton 🌊
Indian Island County Park, Riverhead
Montauk County Park, Montauk 🌊
Sears Bellows County Park, Hampton Bays
Shinnecock East County Park, Southampton 🌊
Smith Point County Park, Shirley 🌊
Southaven County Park, Brookhaven
Group Camping
Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown
Cathedral Pines County Park, Middle Island
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
Indian Island County Park, Riverhead
Sears Bellows County Park, Hampton Bays
Southaven County Park, Brookhaven
Hunting-
For outdoor enthusiasts, hunting offers a unique way to get outdoors while promoting wildlife conservation. Long Island is home to a diverse range of habitats, making it an ideal setting for hunting. With a commitment to sustainability, hunting helps balance local wildlife populations, fosters family traditions and respect for the environment. For more information about what permits are required, click HERE. Check out our list of where to catch local game:
Waterfowl
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
Hubbard County Park, Flanders
Montauk County Park, Montauk
Southaven County Park, Brookhaven
Shotgun
Hubbard County Park, Flanders
Montauk County Park, Montauk
Racoon
Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
Hubbard County Park, Flanders
Montauk County Park, Montauk
Northwest Harbor County Road, East Hampton
Southaven County Park, Brookhaven
Archery
There are over 50 Suffolk County Parks that allow Archery Hunting with a permit. For the full list, click HERE. Some favorite parks for archery season are:
Hog Creek Woodland, East Hampton
Inlet Pond County Park, Greenport
Manorville Woods, Manorville
Robinson Duck Farm County Park, Brookhaven
