Gardiner County Park Loop is a hidden gem on Long Island! As a newbie hiker, “discovering” and trekking through nature has become one of my favorite pastimes. I highly recommend you visit Bay Shore, NY and see this for yourself! You will not be disappointed and will surely enjoy the peaceful serene scene.
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TRAVEL THINGS TO DO ON LONG ISLAND | GARDINER COUNTY PARK LOOP
According to the Suffolk County Parks Department’s website, the park was originally owned by the Gardiner family, Suffolk’s first non-native landowners, and later part of the historic Sagtikos Manor Estate. Gardiner County Park is now a 231-acre nature-oriented public park on the Great South Bay. Gardiner County Park is a popular spot for nature lovers, hikers, bird watchers and dog walkers with a picturesque beach that overlooks the Great South Bay and Fire Island Inlet Bridge. Furthermore, it also features a charming pond with (dedicated/in memoriam) benches, a fitness path, and a multitude of terrific walking trails.
It should be noted that amenities include a spacious parking lot, a gravel-lined playground for kids, a roofed picnic area that prohibits dogs, picnic tables where dogs are allowed, a pump where you and your pup can wash off, and a bathroom.
The park’s entrance is on the south side of Montauk Highway (NY Route 27A) across from Manor Lane, and the parking lot can fit a few dozen cars. Gardiner County Park also has a half dozen short hiking trails with names such as Duck Trail, Gull Trail, Fox Trail, Plover Trail, Puma Trail, and Raccoon Trail – all of which are easy to read and well-marked. These trails branch off a main internal dirt path called Beach Road (a wide trail – not a road) that leads straight to the Great South Bay.
Location: Gardiner County Park, Bay Shore, New York
Trail: AllTrails Hike
Date of Hike: August 3, 2021
You can begin to hike if you feel so inclined; I am a newbie hiker (still in my first year!). However, if you need help getting started, read this! I love this new habit formed and structure; with that said, my hikes are generally under the guidance of AllTrails:
Gardiner County Park Loop is a 1.3-mile loop trail located near Bay Shore, New York and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Firstly, the hike starts at the Gardiner County Park parking lot and works around the South end of the conservation area. Secondly, you will notice there are numerous birdhouses hung throughout the trails, and you can expect to see many birds, and small wildlife. Start out on Duck Trail. Walk until you meet up with Fox Trail. Proceed on Fox Trail to Plover. Plover will take you around to the north end where you can cut in on Duck to the parking lot. Use Beach Rd (a wide trail – not a road) to walk to the Great South Bay, and this will extend your hike by about a half mile round trip. Nice views, and a decent beach add a little more to the hike. Finally, look for bat boxes about 8-10 feet up in the trees also. The bats help with the local mosquito population.
Gardiner County Park Loop has been one of most favorite hikes! It is an easy flat hike with beautiful scenery – it felt fairytale like. I went on a day where it was pretty secluded. It felt like I had the park to all myself – and since I am being honest, I love that. All the trails that I came across, were visually appealing, however, as nature would have it, there are lots of active bugs with some very muddy parts. So be prepared with bug spray and sturdy boots!
Have you journeyed this hike? Will you? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Hiking! 🖤
This post is all about
TRAVEL THINGS TO DO ON LONG ISLAND | GARDINER COUNTY PARK LOOP
Toya is a model, actress, and lawyer who enjoys sharing her life experiences. She shares her experiences on travel things, adventures, products/services and reviews everyday lifestyle moments. She inspires her readers to get out and live their lives to the fullest!
