A Family Guide to Outdoor Exploration
Long Island has dozens of natural preserves. They offer scenic trails and diverse wildlife. Families can explore peaceful spaces. Whether you’re looking for a short walk with little ones, these preserves offer free, enriching experiences close to home. They are perfect for a quiet afternoon immersed in nature. (Click here for a printable Preserve Guide. 🖨️)
👨👩👧👦 Top Tips for Families Visiting Nature Preserves:
| 1. Bring bug spray (especially in summer) and sunscreen—many trails are wooded or exposed. |
| 2. Pack water and snacks—there are rarely concessions on-site. (Use bathrooms before you head out!) |
| 3. Use a carrier or jogging stroller if bringing toddlers; many paths are unpaved. |
| 4. Print or download trail maps in advance, as cell service can be spotty. (Even if it’s just a screenshot of Google Maps!) |
| 5. Visit early to avoid crowds and see wildlife while they’re most active. |
💚 Why Families Will Love Long Island’s Nature Preserves:
- 🌱 Free, low-cost way to spend a full morning or afternoon outdoors
- 🦋 Kids can spot birds, butterflies, frogs, and other wildlife up close
- 🧺 Perfect spots for nature-inspired picnics and scavenger hunts
- 🌿 Great for photography and peaceful reflection away from screens
- 🚶♂️ Well-marked trails and loops for all ability levels, including little explorers
- 🐾 Most allow leashed dogs, so the family pet can join too!
- 🌳 Opportunities to teach kids about conservation and local ecosystems
📍 Local Nature Preserves by Township
(Names have website Link, Town has Google Map Link)
Emoji Key-🚶♂-H️iking 🚴♂️-Bike Path 🛴-Playgrounds 🌊-Water Access 🐟-Fishing 🥪-Picnic Area 🦆-Wildlife 🌸-Garden 🛶-Canoeing/Kayaking 🐶-Dog‑Friendly 👩🦽-ADA Accessible 🏛️-Historic Site 🦋-Nature Center 🚻-Restrooms
Town of Babylon
- 🌳 Southards Pond Park, Babylon, NY 🚶♂️🛴🌊🐟🥪🐶
- 🌲Belmont Lake State Park (partly preserved land) West Babylon, NY 🚶♂️🚴♂️🛴🌊🐟🥪🐶🚻👩🦽🛶
- 🌿 Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve, Deer Park, NY 🚶♂️🚴♂️
Town of Islip
- 🌸 Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park Great River, NY 🚶♂️🌸🌊🥪🦋👩🦽
- 🦉Seatuck Environmental Association, Islip, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋
- 🌊 Heckscher State Park, East Islip, NY 🚶♂️🚴♂️🛴🌊🐟🥪🐶🚻👩🦽
Town of Brookhaven
- 🌲 Carman’s River Nature Trail (Part of Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge) Printable Map Yapank, NY 🚶♂️🌊🐟
- 🌊 Swezey-Avey’s Pond Preserve Yapank, NY 🚶♂️🌊
- 🌿 Brookhaven State Park Ridge, NY 🚶♂️🚴♂️🛴🌊🥪🚻👩🦽
Town of Huntington
- 🌳Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge Lloyd Harbor, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋🚻
- 🏞️ Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve Lloyd Harbor, NY 🚶♂️🚴♂️🌊🥪🏛️🚻👩🦽
- 🌊 Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Shirley, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋🚻
Town of Oyster Bay
- 🌅 Tobay Beach Bay-side Nature Walk (Spraypark nearby-Bikepath goes northwest from Cedar Creek Park, Wantagh, NY) Oyster Bay, NY 🚶♂️🛴🌊🥪🚻
- 🌾Shu Swamp Nature Preserve (Printable Map) Mill Neck, NY🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋
- 🌸Bailey Arboretum Locust Valley, NY 🚶♂🛴️🌸🥪🦋🚻👩🦽
Town of North Hempstead
- 🏰Sands Point Preserve Sands Point, NY 🚶♂️🛴🌊🥪🏛️🐶🚻👩🦽
- 🌼Clark Botanic Garden Albertson, NY 🚶♂️🌸🦋🚻👩🦽
Town of East Hampton / Southampton
- 🦢 Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge Sag Harbor, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋🚻
- 🛶 Mashomack Preserve Shelter Island, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🥪🛶🦋🚻
- 🦉 Quogue Wildlife Refuge Quoque, NY 🚶♂️🌊🦆🦋🥪🚻
🔍 Emoji Legend:
- 🚶♂️ Walking/Hiking Trails
- 🚴♂️ Biking Trails
- 🛴 Playground
- 🌸 Botanical Garden / Arboretum
- 🌊 Water Access (pond, river, or bay)
- 🐟 Fishing
- 🥪 Picnic Area
- 🦆 Wildlife Viewing / Bird Watching
- 🛶 Canoeing/Kayaking
- 🐶 Dog‑Friendly (Leashed, where allowed)
- 👩🦽 ADA Accessible
- 🏛️ Historic Site / Mansion
- 🦋 Nature Center / Environmental Education
- 🚻 Restrooms
(Click here for a printable Preserve Guide. 🖨️)
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Want to add an event to our list? Submit your info email to lifamilyadventures@gmail.com.
