Hiking, beach, and wildlife spotting
This 80-acre wildlife refuge in Lloyd Harbor features mature forests, a half-mile of rocky beach, and brackish ponds where kids can spot herons, egrets, ducks, and other wildlife. Located on Long Island's north shore 25 miles east of NYC, it offers hiking, beachcombing, and birding in a landscape shaped by the tidal wetlands that feed Huntington Bay.
Free · Outdoor · Quiet-friendly
The brackish pond is accessible and hosts visible wildlife year-round; herons and egrets are easiest to spot in early morning or late afternoon.
Bring binoculars and a field guide to identify cordgrass, red cedar, and the birds that depend on the pond ecosystem.
Rocky beach walking is uneven; wear sturdy shoes and watch for tides that flood the pond daily from Huntington Bay.