Each week James Lane Post will highlight a different spot to explore outdoors on the East End in our series “A Walk Outside.” This week: Hallock State Park Preserve.
Totaling 225 acres, Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead offers close to one mile of pristine Long Island Sound beachfront to explore.
Leading to the beach, you’ll find trails that are perfect for hiking, nature walks, and bird watching. A park map is available in the parking lot, so that you can plan your walk.
Be sure to hit each of the lookout points for beautifully scenic views of the preserves, the Long Island Sound looking out to Connecticut’s coastline, and Hallock Pond. The tallest point in the Preserve, the base of Jacob’s Hill, is about 140’ above sea level.
Wildlife ranges from ducks, geese, turtles, piping plover, prairie and yellow warblers, cedar waxwings, and rufous-sided towhees. Look for seabirds like common loons or long-tailed ducks. You may even witness a harbor seal or dolphin, if you’re lucky.
Even the drive to the parking lot is scenic, passing rows of vines from the neighboring vineyard. You’ll find the entrance to the park right across Sound Avenue from RGNY. Why not end your day with a glass of wine?
