Connetquot River State Park Preserve
| Park Overview: | One of the crown jewels of the Long Island Greenbelt system. |
| Trail Uses: | Hiking, Bridle path, X-C skiing, Handicapped |
| Dogs: | No dogs |
| Trail Miles: | 50 miles |
| Park Acreage: | 3473 acres |
| City/County/ State: | Oakdale/Suffolk/NY |
| Park Description: | Formerly a private club for the wealthy and powerful, this lightly used area is a classic pine barrens system, featuring a canopy of pitch pine and several varieties of oak. There is an understory of blueberry, huckleberry, sweet fern, and other plants adapted to the desert like, sandy outwash soil. The Connetquot River flows gently through the center of the park, affording opportunities to observe ospreys, herons, egrets, kingfishers and a host of other species. Near the entrance is a grist mill from the early 1700s and the large Sportsmen's Club, parts of which were built in the early 1800s. A mile north a trout hatchery built over a century ago is still in operation. You may be asked to complete a permit form (free) when you arrive at the gate. Call to verify the park is open.
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| Trails Overview: | The park's 50 mile network makes possible a variety of loop walks that take in both sides of the river and last the better part of a day.
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| Directions: | From western Long Island: Southern State Parkway east to exit 44 (Sunrise Highway), east to the Preserve. From eastern Long Island: Sunrise Highway west to Oakdale. The Preserve is located on the north side of Sunrise Highway, just west of Pond Road. |
| Contact Information: | Connetquot River State Park Preserve 631-581-1005 |
| Region: | Long Island |
| Fees: | Some times and places; check with park |
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Park closed Mondays and Tuesdays