Long Island Public Lands

DEC-Managed Lands for Public Use

Linda Gronlund Memorial Nature Preserve at Barcelona Neck, Sag Harbor: (also known as Little Northwest Creek) Seasonal hunting opportunities and scenic hiking trails through coastal and pine barrens habitats and tidal wetlands. Directions: Rt. 27 (Montauk Hwy.) to East Hampton, Rt. 114 north 4 miles , on right side in Sag Harbor. Access by free permit only. Contact DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

East Hampton Cooperative Area: This area is comprised of State, County and Town lands, (including Napeague, Hither Hills, and Montauk Point State Parks, Hither Woods,and the Koppelman Preserve) under cooperative agreement as part of the State's FWMA program.

DEC manages the area with respect to hunting. Many other activities are available, managed by State Parks. Common sense and respect for property are essential to ensure its continued availability. Directions: The Coop consists of several separate pieces, each of which are off of Rt. 27 (Montauk Highway) in East Hampton Town; Napeague, Hither Hills, Koppelman and Hither Woods are just east of Amagansett; Montauk Point State Park is further east, past the hamlet of Montauk. Hunting access by free seasonal permit only. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office, or NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at (516) 669-1000 for more information.

David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens Preserve: Trails through classic pine barrens habitat provide opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and seasonal hunting. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) To exit 71, Rt. 24 east to Riverhead, 1 mile south of traffic circle on Rt. 104. Access by free permit only. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve: Trails available for hiking and biking through oak brush habitat. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) To exit 52 south on Rt. 4 (Commack Rd.) 1 mile south of the L.I.E. Access by free permit only. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Kings Park Property: Hiking trails through oak brush and early successional habitat. Directions: Rt. 25A to Kings Park, south on Lawrence Road, south of rail road tracks. Access by free permit only. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Peconic Headwaters Natural Resource Management Area (formerly Navy Cooperative Area/Otis Pike Preserve): Mixed oak, pine barrens, and open habitat. Trails provided for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Excellent seasonal hunting. Many ponds provide ample opportunity for fishing and canoeing. Areas available for dog training. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) to exit 69 north. 2 miles north on Schultz Road. Permit station for property is located at the Ridge Conservation Area. Access by daily permit Nov. 1-Dec. 31 & January deer season (Reservations are required for weekends, holidays, and January deer season), by seasonal permit Jan. 2-Oct. 31. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Ridge Conservation Area includes the Ridge Hunter Check Station and Randall Pond Nature Trail.

Randall Pond Nature Trail: 184 acres of mixed wooded and open habitats. Marked trails and a descriptive brochure help visitors explore the property that includes 81 acres of reverting farm fields, 85 acres of forest, and 4 acres of fishable ponds. Hiking, fishing, dog training, and falconry areas are available.
Ridge Hunter Check Station serves as a check point for hunters using DEC property under a daily access permit, and to check game taken on these properties. The checkstation is open Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 - 6:00PM from October 1 thru the end of October. It is open from 45 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, 7 days a week from November 1 through December 31 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). It is open Monday through Friday, 45 minutes before sunrise to 6 pm for the days of the January Firearms deer season.

Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) exit 68, north on William Floyd Parkway (CR 46) to Rt. 25 west, 1/4 mile to right turn on Randall Road, entrance 300' on left side.

Hours: Trail open daily 8:30 AM to 5PM, permits required for activities other than hiking and fishing. Call the Ridge Check Station at (631) 924-3156 (November - January)or the Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area: 5,100 acres of oak woodland and pine barrens habitat. Trails provide access for hiking, biking, and horseback riding as well as dog training and a variety of seasonal hunting opportunities. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) To exit 67 north, north on Rt. 216 miles to Whiskey Road, right on Whiskey Road, main entrance to property on left. Permit station for property is located at the Ridge Conservation Area. Access by daily permit Nov. 1-Dec. 31 & Jan. Deer season (Reservations are required for weekends, holidays and Jan. Deer season.), by seasonal permit Jan. 2-Oct. 31. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License Office for more information.

Tidal Wetland Areas: Provide opportunities for fishing, hiking, canoeing, and seasonal small and big game hunting in upland and salt water wetland habitats.

Timber Point
Bellport Bay
Fireplace Neck
Johns Neck Creek
Havens Point
Long Beach Bay
Little Northwest Creek (see Barcelona Neck above)
Babylon Marshes

Tidal Wetland Access permits are required. Call NYSDEC at (631) 444-0273 for more information.