Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 1 Stony Brook Office (M-F 8:30am - 4:45pm), (631) 444-0270; R1info@dec.ny.gov
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 1C
- Map: GeoPDF Instructions - Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center (GeoPDF) || Ridge Conservation Area Hunting Map || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The Ridge Conservation Area offers 184 acres of mixed wooded and open habitats. Trail markers and an interpretive trail help visitors explore the property that includes 81 acres of reverting farm fields, 85 acres of forest, and 4 acres of fishable ponds. Randall Pond site is a prime place for a picnic or some fishing.
A free 3-year Managed Land Access Permit is for all using this property. Visit DEC's nForm page if you need information on how to obtain a NY.gov account, which is required for these permits. Call the Ridge Check Station at (631) 924-3156 (November - January).
Users must observe regulations for use of NYSDEC managed lands in Suffolk County.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
There are three marked trails starting at the southwest corner of Randall Pond by the kiosks. The trails vary in length and can lead you through a number of habitats including pond, woodland, field and marsh.
Trails are marked by red, blue and yellow circles. The red trail is a 1.4-mile loop that ends on the south side of the parking lot. The blue trail is an additional 1.1-mile loop that can be found 0.5 miles from Post 1 in the parking lot off the red trail. The yellow trail markers indicate the current accessible trail along Randall Pond.
Trail markers are placed at eye level or higher wherever possible. If you lose the trail, return to the last point you saw a marker, and look for the next one.
There is an interpretive trail on the property to enhance your hiking experience. As you walk the trail, stop at each wooden marker and read the corresponding text to learn about Long Island's unique ecosystems.
Fishing
Fishing pier at Randall Pond
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules & regulations.
There are 3 fishing piers off of the interpretive trail that provide access to Randall Pond.
A webpage is available with information that depicts the Public Access for Fishing Randall Pond.
Long Island/NYC Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Hunting & Trapping
Wildlife Management Unit: 1C
General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.
Consult hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits.
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 check station is open Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 2 - 6 p.m. 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 daily, 45 minutes before sunrise to 45 minutes after sunset for the days of the January Firearms deer season. January Firearms season starts the first Sunday of January, with the exception of January 1 when the check station will be closed.
Paddling
General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.
There are no public launch sites on the property, however, hand launching from the shoreline of Randall Pond is allowed.
Watchable Wildlife
General information on watchable wildlife includes tips for viewing wildlife and links to other watchable wildlife locations.
Wildlife to Watch
- Belted kingfishers, spotted sandpipers, great blue herons, ducks
- Bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants, meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows
- Scarlet tanagers, catbirds, robins, cedar waxwings
- White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, gray and flying squirrels
- Painted and box turtles, pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, rainbow trout
Where To Watch
- Wetlands, freshwater pond
- Scrubland, grassland
- Oak-pine forest
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
The Ridge Conservation Area facility driveway and the Randall Pond East Access Road, both located in the southern portion of the property, allow motorized access for people with mobility impairments. A permit is required through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities.
A picnic area is located near the DEC field headquarters which contains several picnic tables and an accessible restroom. The Randall Pond site features several accessible features. An accessible trail runs around Randall Pond, with designated parking at each end. There are three accessible fishing piers dispersed along the trail.
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.
- Randall Pond West Parking Area (40.8967514°N, 72.8922272°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Randall Pond East Parking Area (40.898735°N, 72.8906174°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Picnic Area parking (40.8970222°N, 72.8931274°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Ridge Conservation Area must follow all DEC Suffolk County Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Specific Rules
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.
Planning and Management
DEC is developing a unit management plan (UMP) which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us R1info@dec.ny.gov.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest
- Otis Pike Preserve
- Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest
- Longwood Pine Barrens State Forest
- Brookhaven State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Wildwood State Park (leaves DEC website)
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas, food, dining opportunities, lodging and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Rocky Point.
Nassau County Tourism (leaves DEC website) and Discover Long Island (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
