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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.

pine tree

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.

Boating Access Sites

Creek Waterway Access Site, Mattituck, NY:

This site will be under construction starting October 12, 2009. The temporary boat ramp at this facility and associated facilities at this site will be closed starting on October 13, 2009. DEC anticipates that construction work on this project will be completed in the second or third quarter of 2010. The site is located on Mattituck Creek towards the north end of the creek with easy access to Long Island Sound. Directions: Sound Avenue east through the Town of Riverhead. At the first traffic light in Mattituck, turn left onto Cox Neck Lane. Stay on Cox Neck Lane to Breakwater Road, turn left, follow to Naugles Road and turn right, entrance is one-quarter mile down on left side. Hours of operation at this facility are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Oyster Bay Western Waterfront Waterway Access Site, Oyster Bay, NY: Boat ramp area will accommodate parking for 20 cars with trailers. This facility is located on property purchased by the DEC that was the former location of Jakobson's Shipyard. In addition to a boat ramp, the property has been converted to a passive park that contains a two-acre example of a native coastal planting scheme, a recreated vegetated tidal wetland area and access to a refurbished 500-foot pier for fishing. DEC refurbished the pier in partnership with the Town of Oyster Bay for use by residents and visitors. Wildlife viewing opportunities are also available throughout the site. The overall site encompasses a five-acre area. Ramp users will be required to fill out an application for a permanent access permit. Boaters using this site will be able to access Oyster Bay Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island Sound Directions: Rt. 106 north into the hamlet of Oyster Bay, continue until coming to Audrey Avenue, turn left. Continue to stop sign on corner of Larrabee Avenue, turn right over railroad tracks, turn left on East End Avenue, ramp is on right side.

Oyster Ponds Waterway Access Site, East Marion, NY: Boat ramp and surf fishing opportunity, provides access to the open waters of eastern Long Island Sound. Shallow water ramp, not recommended for boats greater that 18 feet in length because of shoaling conditions and water depths at low tide. Directions: County Road 48 to Rt. 25 into East Marion, continue east towards Orient, ramp is on north side of road opposite Orient Harbor and adjacent to Southold Town Park. Hours of operation for the all three sites are sunrise to sunset.

Hours of operation for the all three sites are sunrise to sunset.