06 Oct Go Take a Hike…On Long Island’s East End
The Fall season is the perfect time to head outdoors. The weather is comfortable and the colors of the foliage begin to change. New York State is home to numerous State parks that provide excellent hiking opportunities surrounded by picturesque landscapes and the East End is no exception. Here are three must experience hiking trails to begin the Fall on the right foot. So grab your trail mix, disconnect from your mobile devices and prepare to connect with nature.
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Quogue, NY
The Quogue wildlife refuge celebrated its 80th year in October 2014. It’s home to an array of diverse wildlife and some that are permanently injured and cared for in a distressed wildlife complex. The refuge has seven miles of trails, surrounded by forests and ponds and is open 365 days a year making it a destination to be enjoyed anytime. The refuge trails and the outdoor wildlife complex is open from sunrise to sunset every day. The Nature Center Building is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-4pm and Saturdays and Sundays 11am-4pm. The refuge is located at 3 Old Country Rd, Quogue, NY 11959 Phone: (631) 653-4771 Website : quoguewildliferefuge.org
Indian Island County Park
Riverhead, NY
Located in Riverhead, on 275 acres, Indian Island County Park is open to the public year-round for a variety of activities including camping. Although it used to be an island but is connected to the mainland by a white sand causeway, the area is remote, yet easily accessible to all. It offers picnic tables, grills, benches and views of Flanders Bay. It’s a wonderful area to hike and just relax.
Cross River Drive (Route 105), Riverhead
Phone:(631) 852-3232 Website: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks.aspx
Inlet Pond County Park
Greenport, NY
Inlet Pond Park, located in Greenport can be found on Route 48 and is also home to the headquarters of the North Fork Audubon Society. Just look for the distinct red house. The park offers 1.5 mile walking trails through a lush hardwood forest. The trails lead around the freshwater pond and to, the above pictured, beautiful rocky beachfront on the Long Island Sound. There’s a variety of opportunities to spot several species of birds including blue jays, herons and sparrows to name a few so bring your binoculars. The park is located at 65275 Route 48, Greenport. The entrance is on the north side of the road and there is ample parking. Here is a trail map to prepare for your hike. trail map
Phone: 631-477-6456 Website: https://northforkaudubon.org
Stay here, at Hotel Indigo and enjoy all of the outdoor activities the East End has to offer. We believe that a good hike is just as exhilarating as a morning cup of coffee so we offer a late checkout for anyone that wants to go hiking. Just let us know in advance and we’ll take care of the rest. Hiking shoes not included. Call the front desk for details. (631) 369-2200 ext. 0