Discover the best hiking spots in the Hamptons of New York with these top recommendations. Located on the eastern end of Long Island, the Hamptons boast a unique coastal ecosystem and offer a wide range of hiking trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a leisurely walk, the Hamptons have something for everyone. Immerse yourself in the local flora and fauna as you explore the scenic hiking trails in this beautiful area. Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the best of outdoor adventures in the Hamptons.
Mashomack Preserve
By Stephanie (CC BY-ND 2.0)
First on our list is Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island. Just a short ferry ride from Sag Harbor will bring you to this beautiful nature preserve protected by the Nature Conservancy. The preserve spans over 2,300 acres and features a variety of hiking trails amongst other opportunities.
Mashomack Preserve features several trails of less than 1 mile in length that provide fantastic views of this area’s natural beauty. For those looking for something a bit more challenging, the 4.4-mile Blue Trail traverses swamp land and the shoreline of Gardner’s Bay. Additionally, you may choose to hike the 3.4-mile Green Trail, which offers views of Sanctuary Pond as well as Smith Cove. The preserve is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including ospreys, white-tailed deer, and foxes.
Visitors to Mashomack Preserve can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, bird watching, and nature photography. The preserve is a popular destination for both locals and tourists and offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Shelter Island. Get more info on Mashomack Preserve, including maps and location information here.
Hither Hills State Park
By TheTurducken (CC BY 2.0)
Next, we have Hither Hills State Park on the eastern tip of Long Island. This park offers miles of hiking trails along the coastline, including the popular 4.8-mile Walking Dunes Trail. Along the way, you can expect to see a variety of plant species, including pitch pine trees and beach plum bushes. The park also features some scenic overlooks that provide stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound.
In addition to the hiking trails, the park offers a variety of other recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, and picnicking. You may also spot some of the park’s resident wildlife, such as white-tailed deer, rabbits, and foxes. The park is a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Get more info on Hither Hills here.
Long Pond Greenbelt
For a more challenging hike, check out the Long Pond Greenbelt. This 600-acre preserve is located in Bridgehampton, New York. The Long Pond Greenbelt is a chain of unspoiled coastal plain ponds bordered by wetlands and fringing oak forests. Formed through glacial processes, the ponds in the Greenbelt vary in depth from year to year, depending on rainfall. This variability of pond depth has created a unique habitat called a coastal plain pond shore community.
The preserve features over 10 miles of hiking trails. The preserve’s ecosystem supports one of the highest concentrations of rare species and natural communities anywhere in New York State. You can find more info on the Long Pond Greenbelt here.
Napeague State Park
Finally, we have the Napeague State Park in Amagansett. This park features over three miles of coastal hiking trails, as well as a one-mile loop with a scenic overlook of Napeague Bay. The park’s trails offer a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Long Island’s east end, with its picturesque beaches, dunes, and maritime forests.
Along the way, you can expect to see a variety of plant species, including beach grass and bayberry bushes. The park is also home to many bird species, such as seagulls, ospreys, and piping plovers. You may also spot some of the park’s resident wildlife, such as white-tailed deer and rabbits. In addition to hiking, the park offers a variety of other recreational activities, such as swimming, fishing, and picnicking. It’s a great place to spend a day enjoying the outdoors hiking in the Hamptons.
Sears Bellows County Park
Photo taken by me
If you’re looking for more secluded hiking in the Hamptons, we’d recommend considering Sears Bellows Park in Hampton Bays. This 978-acre park features several quiet, picturesque ponds that allow fantastic hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. There are also 70 campsites available at Sears Bellows County Park, which are a mix of tent sites and RV/camper sites.
There are miles of hiking trails within Sears Bellows County Park, including a section of the Paumanok Path. The Paumanok Path is a historic trail that runs for over 125 miles from Rocky Point on the north shore of Long Island and ends at the eastern tip of the state at Montauk Point State Park. The most popular hike within the park is the short, roughly 0.7-mile loop around Bellows Pond. This loop trail is located close to the parking area and is gradual enough that the whole family will be able to enjoy the hike. For those looking for something a bit longer, you could venture further west into the park to hike the loop around Sears Pond. The Sears Pond loop trail runs roughly 4 miles in length. This part of the park is a bit remote, making for great opportunities to view the wildlife present in this part of the Hamptons. Don’t be surprised to encounter deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and a variety of bird species in this area.
No matter which trail you choose, hiking in the Hamptons is a truly unique and beautiful experience. Whether you’re looking for a coastal hike with ocean views, or some remote hiking through the woods, we trust that these recommendations will help you find the hike you’re looking for in the Hamptons. If you’re looking for hiking ideas in other parts of New York, check out our recommendations in the Finger Lakes or around Ithaca.