Printer-friendlyRegion One Nature Centers
Long Island: Nassau and Suffolk Counties
Region One includes Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Nature viewing areas on Long Island include vast state parks along the ocean, a preserve near a science museum and a farm sanctuary run by the Nature Conservancy.
DEC encourages visitors to call ahead to confirm directions, hours of operation and/or user fee information.
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
PO Box 963
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-265-1054
Fax: 631-979-6747
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: The park was named for the original owner of the large house that now serves as nature museum. The museum features interactive and live displays of the local wildlife. The preserve's freshwater wetlands, ponds, streams, fields, and upland woodlands offer excellent chances of viewing wildlife from one of the three self guided nature trails. Programs are offered year round for the general public, schools, and special interest groups like the Scouts, etc.
Hours: Tues - Sun: 8:00AM - Sunset; Oct - Mar: Closed TUESDAYS
Fees: Call for information on Program and Parking fee schedule
Buildings: Nature center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, Special Interest Groups, Scouts
Picnic Area: No
Caumsett State Historic Park
Lloyd Harbor Road
Lloyd Neck, NY 11743
631-423-1770
Caumsett Foundation Website
Caumsett State Historic Park Website
Suffolk County
Program Description:Environmental park, nature trails, and hiking. Riding stables and bridle paths. Fishing by permit. walking and interpretive programs offered to the public.
In addition, Nassau County BOCES Outdoor and environmental education program, based in the former estate Summer Cottage, conducts school programs year round for children K-12. Ecology programs, team building activities, survival, orienteering, and canoeing can be part of day or overnight program. Teacher in-service programs offered. Restrooms and outdoor lunch area available for day groups. 516-396-2264 BOCES phone number.
Hours: see park hours
Fees: Parking fees
Buildings: Historic, call for information
Wheelchair access: Paved roads through the park
Visitor Focus: General public and school groups
Picnic Area: Yes
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
P.O. Box 535, Route 25A
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
516-692-6768
Fax: 516-692-6769
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery Website
Nassau County
Program Description: The largest living collection of New York State freshwater turtles, fish and amphibians housed in two buildings and in outdoor ponds.
Hours: Guided programs by reservation: 10:00AM - 5:00PM Open all year.
Fees: Yes; call for information
Buildings: Indoor aquaria, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Connetquot River State Park
P.O. Box 505
Oakdale, NY 11769
631-581-1072
Fax: 631-224-8435
Connetquot River State Park Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: Interpretive and environmental education programs featuring many aspects of a pine barrens forest and its environs including such programs as WET and WILD, Winter Wildlife Safari, Trees are Terrific, Seasonal Nature Walks, Bat Programs, hatchery tours and more.
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Fees: Child: $1.00; Adult: $1.50; Vehicle: $5.00. Fees subject to change, call for current fee schedule
Buildings: 1700's Grist Mill; 1800's Buildings including Main house that is home to habitat exhibit room, classrooms, museum room.
Wheelchair access: Yes - all buildings and some trails.
Visitor Focus: General public and groups.
Picnic Area: None
Fire Island National Seashore
National Park Service
120 Laurel Street
Patchogue, NY 11772
631-289-4810
Fax: 631-289-4898
Fire Island National Seashore Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: At Smith Point West: Facilities include a Wilderness Visitors Center and a self-guided handicapped accessible, boardwalk nature trail. At Watch Hill: Facilities include a visitor center, guarded swimming beach, restroom/showers, campground, self-guided boardwalk nature trail, concession marina and fast food service. At Sailors Haven: Facilities include a visitor center, guarded swimming beach, restroom/showers, self-guided boardwalk nature trail through the Sunken Forest.
Hours: Guided programs available: Last week in June through Labor Day, and some weekends at other times of the year. Grounds and Wilderness Visitors Center open all year.
Fees: None
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Yes, beach wheelchairs available
Visitor Focus: General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Garvies Point Museum & Preserve
Barry Drive
Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-571-8010
Garvies Point Museum Website
Nassau County
Program Description: Exhibits with dioramas illustrate Long Island's distant past and how present land features came into existence and the evolution of Long Island's present landscape as it evolved during the past 20,000 years. Indian archaeology is also featured. The preserve consists of 62 acres of glacial moraine with 5 miles of wooded trails. A series of educational programs which may be integrated into classroom curricula is offered to school groups during school hours.
Hours: Guided programs: By appointment, with additional fee. The preserve is open every day. Museum open Tues.-Sun. 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Fees: Yes, for special programs
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Picnic area, restrooms and museum accessible; not all special programs and trails
Visitor Focus: General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Hoyt Farm Nature Center
Town of Smithtown Department of Parks
Box 220, New Highway
Commack, NY 11725
631-543-7804
Hoyt Farm Nature Center Webpage
Suffolk County
Program Description: Hoyt Farm Park Preserve and Nature Center is a multi-purpose park of 136 acres, with 85 percent of the land dedicated to wildlife conservation.
Hours: Nature Center open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Guided programs year-round, upon request. Grounds open all year, 8:00AM till dusk.
Fees: Free, open to residents of Smithtown only
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Buildings and picnic area accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex - USFWS
784 Noyac Road
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-2270
Fax: 631-286-0485
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: The 187-acre refuge contains exceptionally diverse habitats, including the beaches and wooded bluffs of Jessups Neck Peninsula overlooking Little Peconic and Noyack Bays. The remainder of the refuge consists of mainly forest, ponds, saltmarsh, a lagoon and grasslands. Morton is managed to protect a unique natural area for migratory birds, while resident chickadees and tufted titmice greet you year-round! Endangered and threatened species such as piping plovers, least terns, roseate terns and osprey use the refuge for nesting, brood rearing, feeding and resting. Portions of the beach are closed from April through August to protect these sensitive wildlife.
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Guided programs available by appointment.
Fees: $4/vehicle, $2/bike/pedestrian, $12 annual pass
Buildings: Information/interpretive kiosk, restrooms, nature trail
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No; benches available
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Box 492
Quogue, NY 11959
631-653-4771
Fax: 631-653-8069
Quogue Wildlife Refuge Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: The Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Nature Center is located on 300 acres of varied natural and managed habitats surrounding the headwaters of Quantuck Creek on eastern Long Island. The main trail passes through most of the main habitats. Another trail leads through a unique dwarf pine barrens. A distressed wildlife complex houses incapacitated animals. The Refuge sponsors field ecology classes each summer for youths, grades 2 through 12, as well as guided adult walks in May and on some summer and autumn days. It also offers a monthly evening enlightenment program February through November.
Hours: Guided programs by appointment. Refuge trails open dawn till dusk, all year. Interpretive building open Tuesday and Thursday and some weekends, 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Fees: Yes; call for information
Buildings: Interpretive building and restrooms
Wheelchair access: Most trails and building accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: None within refuge; picnic area available nearby
Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation
428 East Maine St
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-369-9840
Fax: 631-369-9826
Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Prevention Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: The primary mission of the Riverhead Foundation is to preserve and protect our marine environment through education, rehabilitation, and research. We are the only organization in New York State authorized to rescue, rehabilitate, and release any marine mammals or sea turtles that become stranded on NY beaches. We also engage in a variety of educational programs (including outreach), seal cruises, ecology walks, lectures, beach clean-ups, and tours of our facility.
Hours Winter: Sun - Sat: 9:00AM - 6:00PMSummer: Sun - Tues & Thurs - Sat: 9:00AM - 8:00PM and Wed: 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Fees: Call for information.
Buildings: Housed within Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead
Wheelchair access: Yes
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public, groups
Picnic Area: Yes
Sands Point Preserve
Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks
95 Middleneck Road
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-571-7900
Fax: 516-571-7909
Sands Point Preserve Website
Nassau County
Program Description: Sands Point Preserve combines historic and natural history interpretive programs on the former Gold Coast estates of Daniel and Harry Guggenheim. Six nature trails cross woodlands, fields, and Long Island Sound shoreline. Self-guiding literature explaining flora, fauna, and glacial geology of the land is available for three trails. Organized school groups can arrange for programs in environmental education and local history throughout the year.
Hours: Guided programs: Mansion tours - Wednesday-Sunday, 12:00PM - 3:00PM, May-October; Grounds and nature trails open 9:00AM - 5:00PM mid-February to mid-November. Closed Mondays.
Fees: Small entrance fee. Call for information.
Buildings: Two exhibit halls, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Exhibit halls, some trails (terrain is hilly).
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Science Museum of Long Island
1526 North Plandome Road
Manhasset, NY 11030
516-627-9400
Fax: 516-365-8927
Science Museum of Long Island Website
Nassau County
Program Description: The Science Museum of Long Island is located on a 36 acre preserve consisting of several natural habitats including stream, marsh, beach front, freshwater pond, and woodlands. There is an experimental organic garden and solar greenhouse on site. Programs include school programs, holiday and after-school workshops, an adult lecture series, and a summer environmental program.
Hours: Guided programs: Scheduled during school year. Saturdays, 12:30PM - 3:00PM; Grounds open year-round, dawn till dusk.
Fees: Call for information
Buildings: Interpretive center, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Interpretive center, trails and restrooms accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Tackapausha Museum & Preserve
Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks
Washington Avenue
Seaford, NY 11783
516-571-7443
Tackapausha Museum & Preserve Website
Nassau County
Program Description: Tackapausha Museum and Preserve's displays and exhibits include live animals, plants, and preserved specimens interpreting the natural history of Long Island. Throughout the year, the museum offers a variety of natural history programs to school and other organized groups. On weekends, films and lecture/demonstrations are offered to the general public.
Hours Guided programs available year-round. Call for group reservations and further details on hours. Grounds open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Fees: Call for information
Buildings: Small natural history museum, restrooms
Wheelchair access: Museum, picnic area, not trails
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes
Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge
Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex- USFWS
Box 21
Shirley, NY 11967
631-286-0485
Fax: 631-286-4003
Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge Website
Suffolk County
Program Description: The 80-acre refuge, situated on the Lloyd Neck Peninsula on Long Island's north shore, is managed to provide habitat for migratory birds. The refuge is comprised of a 1/2-mile stretch of rocky beach and a mixed forest. Stands of Norway spruce, white pine and eastern red cedar are interspersed with the refuge's mature oak forest. Remnant gardens contain a variety of flowering plants that offer spectacular beauty in the spring. The arrival of spring warblers is also an experience for expert birders and amateurs alike!
Hours: Open 7 days a week, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Guided programs available by appointment.
Fees: $4/vehicle, $2/bike/pedestrian, $12 annual pass
Buildings: Information/interpretive kiosks, restrooms, nature trail
Wheelchair access: Restrooms are accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No, benches are available
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary
National Audubon Society
134 Cove Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-922-3261
Fax: 516-922-3261
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary Website
Nassau County
Program Description: The Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary serves as a wildlife sanctuary and an environmental education center on Long Island. The education programs are varied and may focus on birds, ponds, beaches, and other areas of natural history. A museum illustrating the history of American conservation and the accomplishments of Theodore Roosevelt is on site.
Hours: Educational programs Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM; Sat-Sun., 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Museum open Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM;
Friday, 8:00AM - 2:30PM; Sat.-Sun., 1:00PM - 4:30PM Grounds open all week.
Fees: No
Buildings: Interpretive program and restrooms
Wheelchair access: Museum accessible, limited access on trails.
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No
Town of Hempstead Marine Nature Study Area
Slice Drive
Oceanside, NY 11572
516-766-1580
Town of Hempstead Marine Nature Study Area Website
Nassau County
Program Description: The Town of Hempstead's Marine Nature Study Area is a 52-acre preserve and environmental education center on Middle Bay in Oceanside representative of the 20,000 acres of tidal wetlands preserved by the town. The Study Area focuses on the various aspects of the estuarine environment including salt marsh ecosystems, marine algae, birds of the area, waterfowl, the bay community, and the barrier beach.
Hours: Guided programs year-round, Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM, by appointment.
Fees: None
Buildings: Interpretive and restrooms
Wheelchair access: Main trail, building accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Small picnic area
Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary
The Nature Conservancy, Long Island Chapter
250 Lawrence Hill Road
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
631-367-3225
Fax: 631-367-4715
Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary
Suffolk County
Program Description: The Uplands Farm Sanctuary, site of the Nature Conservancy Long Island Chapter offices, offers walking trails through 95-acres of fields and woodlands. The chapter offers an annual series of field trips and programs.
Hours: Grounds open year-round, daily,dawn to dusk.
Fees: Only for special groups
Buildings: Restrooms in offices, Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 5:00PM.
Wheelchair access: No
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: No
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters- USFWS
P.O. Box 21, Smith Road
Shirley, NY 11967
631-286-0485
Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Website
Program Description: The 2,550-acre refuge, located on Long Island's south shore, is bisected by the Carmans River - a NYS designated Wild and Scenic River. The refuge contains fields, oak-pine woodlands, ponds, streams and marshes which support a wide variety of wildlife from box turtles to white-tailed deer to song birds and waterfowl. The refuge is managed to protect the Carmans River estuary for use by migratory waterfowl and other birds, and to increase habitat diversity. Wertheim is part of the NYS Central Pine Barrens , a unique forest type in NY. You can enjoy the refuge by canoe or kayak on the river, or along the trails in any season!
Hours: Daily 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Fees: None
Buildings: Complex Headquarters, information kiosk, restrooms, nature trails.
Wheelchair access: Restrooms and headquarters are accessible
Visitor Focus: Schools, General Public
Picnic Area: Yes (Carry in/Carry out Policy)
