As the school year draws to a close and summer rolls around, it’s the perfect time to get outside and soak up every bit of sunshine that seemed so scarce during the dark winter months. Some of Long Island’s most treasured nature reserves, havens for diverse wildlife and magnificent scenery, are just a few minutes away by car. After visiting most of the local parks within a ten-mile radius of my house plus a few north of Manhattan, I’ve made a short list of places to serve as starting points for your next adventure.
Vanderbilt Motor Parkway
Distance from Great Neck Plaza: 4.6 miles
Road Composition: Asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
This historic trail is the first motor parkway in the United States. Built in 1904 by William Vanderbilt as a path for him to get to his estate and a venue for hosting car races, it has now been turned into a trail for all to enjoy. Much like Alley Pond Park, you can choose anywhere to start your experience. I started at the entrance on 210th street and was greeted by rows of trees providing shade from the powerful afternoon sun. I particularly enjoyed how well the parkway was integrated into the surrounding urban landscape—along the paved path, sign retell its history. Vanderbilt Motor Parkway is perfect for anyone seeking a truly distinctive nature experience nearby, with relatively flat elevation making for an enjoyable activity.
Sands Point Preserve
Distance from Great Neck Plaza: 7.8 miles
Road Composition: Dirt, sandy, or asphalt
Difficulty: Easy
Sands Point Preserve, located on the Guggenheim Estate (one of Long Island’s Gold Coast-era estates), serves as a testament to preservation, maintaining the abundant wildlife and historic buildings within its perimeter. There’s no shortage of activities. The preserve includes everything you could imagine: a castle, numerous hiking trails, and a beach overlooking the Long Island Sound. Though you’ll likely need a car to travel to northern Port Washington, Sands Point’s endless options make it a great place to spend an afternoon. The moment you step onto the land, it’s like you’ve entered a different space—a peaceful one where time seems to pass more slowly. I chose to navigate the relaxing one-mile trail to the beach area. The sea stretched endlessly before me, and, paired with the rocky bushes lining the trail I had just come from, the scene made for an exceptional photo-taking spot. If you’re looking for a slower-paced nature experience or have a free afternoon, Sands Point Preserve is a fine choice.
Bull Hill
Distance from Great Neck Plaza: 61.5 miles
Road Composition: Dirt, rocky, or asphalt
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
My last selection is the least accessible, but the views and adventure make the longer journey entirely worth it. Bull Hill is a small mountain in Hudson Highlands State Park outside of Cold Spring. Although it may seem far, you can reach the trailhead by car (1 hr 15 min) or train (2 hrs 30 min) via the LIRR, then the Metro North. This makes Bull Hill the perfect weekend hike with friends and family. The hike is either a five-mile loop or a three-mile loop, which may seem daunting for less experienced hikers like myself. However, it was one of the best technical hikes. The first half involves a lot of climbing. However, there were many well-marked viewpoints, which gave way to breathtaking scenes of the Hudson River and neighboring Storm King Mountain. After the summit, the trail winds into the forest, and the last part of the trail runs through the ruins of the Cornish estate, a mansion once owned by businessman Edward Cornish. If you’re hungry for adventure or want to see some of New York’s most awe-inspiring views, make the trek to Bull Hill.
