A technology driven life can create a lot of stress and a cluttered mind. Spending some time in nature is an exceptional way to find peace of mind and restore mental balance. Lucky for us Long Islanders we are blessed by a blissful amount of natural surroundings to breathe in and admire. Nature trails snake through the wild beauty of the land, passed acres of trees, ponds and lakes, and the natural habitats of Long Island animal communities. These trails are open to those looking to reconnect with not only nature, but themselves as well. Peruse any of the following trails, nature centers and preserves and country parks to achieve your inner balance.
1. Bayard Cutting Arboretum
440 Montauk Highway, Great River – (631) 581-1002
2. Blydenburg County Park
Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Smithtown – (631) 854-3713
3. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
581 West Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown – (631) 265-1054
4. Connetquot River State Park
Sunrise Highway, Oakdale – (631) 581-1005
5. Hither Hills State Park
164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk – (631) 668-2554
6. Sands Point Preserve
7. 127 Middleneck Road, Port Washington – (516) 571-7900
8. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay – (516) 922-9200
9. Sweetbriar Nature Center
62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown – (631) 979-6344
10. Theodore Roosevelt County Park
Montauk Highway, Montauk – (63) 852-7878
You may also want to visit LongIsland.com's Camping Page for information on weekened getaways in nature.