Boy Scouts of America® Suffolk County Council

• Listing of Town, County Parks, State Parks  in a single document
• Outings for Scouting: A Resource Guide to Long Island and Beyond This guide was produced by Wood Badge NE-VII-16 2009 Buffalo Patrol to "to meet that need: to return the “outing” back to Scouting"  
• Suffolk County Parks
  • The town of Huntington Trails Guide 
  • Town of Islip
  • Town of Smithtown Parks
  • Town of Southampton
  • Town of Southold
• New York State Parks
• Kayak & Canoe Guide to Long Island State Parks

Notes in Italics are taken from the source website

• • Bailey Arboretum  Lattingtown - The 43-acre estate includes a mid-1800's house and a magnificent collection of plants and trees, many exceedingly rare. Of the 600 different kinds of trees, many species came from other parts of the United States and from distant countries around the world. An interpretive Nature Trail stretches across a rustic bridge and passes along a stream, through a bog and dense, wild shrubs, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the meaning of "ecology" by observing small animals and plants in their native habitats and exploring the woodlands Map
  • Bike Long Island Where to bike, where to stay and what to see on Long Island!  Lists lots of bike routes.
  • Blydenburg County Park-Smithtown - A great place for a hike, also has camping. The trail is a loop around the lake (about 3miles) but it's great for short hikes as well. The north entrance has a playground for younger kids. The south side (near boat house) has a bigger picinc area. Part of the greenbelt trail. (631) 854-3712 Map <Webelos Camping Approved>
  • David Weld Sanctuary 'The David Weld Sanctuary is a wonderful place for birders, geology buffs and wildflower-lovers to hike and explore nature. There’s just enough elevation change to make the trails interesting but not too daunting for little legs and family nature excursions. The 3-mile trail at David Weld Sanctuary are open for hiking and observation from dawn to dusk.' A nice walking guide can be found here - Map
  • Caleb Smith State Park-Some nice trails with lots of labels for identifying trees. They also have several Scout specific programs you can do. Parking is free after Labor day until Memorial Day. Smithtown- Map
  • Cathedral Pines County Park This 320 acre site is situated along the headwaters of the Carmans River. Facilities include campsites for individuals, youth group camping and club camping (10 or more units) and family camping, including 10 sites with water and electric hookups. Picnic sites and the George Broome Memorial Activity Building are also available. Adjacent to Cathedral Pines Park is Prosser Pines Nature Preserve, which features a majestic stand of white pines planted in 1812. Prosser Pines is a popular site for hikers and photographers. Good for camping and mountain biking. Approved for Webelos camping. Map
  • Ceder Point Count Park really nice place for a hike along the shore. Map
  • Connetquot river state park preserve Connetquot River State Park Preserve maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals. Deer and waterfowl are numerous, rare nesting birds, including the osprey, are present and there are numerous rare plants, such as trailing arbutus and pyxie moss in their natural habitats. The preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, horseback riding, cross-country ski and nature trails, as well as fishing (by permit only) on the Connetquot River. Map
  • Fire Island Light House Meet at parking field 5 of Robert Moses, and take a short hike about 0.7 miles to the light house. If your lucky you'll see deer along the path. Then climb the 192 steps to the top for some great views. Don't miss the museum and the exhibits on the second floor. Recommended for Wolves and up.Map
  • Long Island Orienteering Club  . The have  permanent courses available. 
  • Muttontown Preserve COMPRISING 550 ACRES OF fields, woodlands, ponds and estate grounds, Muttontown is Nassau County's largest nature preserve and one of the most beautiful settings on Long Island. The preserve includes miles of marked nature trails with local wildflowers, trees, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Maps and brochures are available for self-guided tours and include descriptions of various areas along the trails. Map
  • Old Westbury Gardens Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, in-depth tours of the formal gardens, school visits, children's programs and events, family programs, museum exhibits, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical concerts, summer pop concerts, slide lectures, book signings, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, Scottish Games, botanical arts and gardening classes, and Master Gardener and Educator-led Talks & Tours of topics relating to horticulture, art, history, design and architecture. Map
  • Planting fields Arboretum Long Island’s premier public arboretum and historic site located in Oyster Bay, New York. A former Gold Coast estate, the arboretum is comprised of 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths, and outstanding plant collections. The original historic estate buildings remain including the 65 room Tudor Revival mansion, Coe Hall, which is open for tours spring through fall. The grounds, landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massachusetts, are spectacularly beautiful year round. Educational programs are offered for children and adults. Map
  • Quogue Wildlife Refuge Since 1934, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge has been a nature preserve that is home to diverse wildlife including some that are permanently injured and require human care to survive. 365 days a year, you can enjoy walking seven miles of trails to explore diverse habitats including forests and ponds, as well as the ecologically rare Dwarf Pines in the Pine Barrens. Map
  • Rocky Point Preserve The Rocky Point Natural Resources Management Area includes nearly 6,000 acres of pine-oak forest and open lands in the Town of Brookhaven in north-central Suffolk County. Managed by the DEC lots of trails for hiking, and biking. Very close to if you want to camp near by.A seasonal access permit is required for all activities on all NYSDEC managed lands on Long Island with the exception of the Ridge Conservation Area. Map (Approximate)
  • Theodore Roosevelt nature center The Nature Center is on a barrier island beach within Jones Beach State Park. An exhibit area depicts a variety of marine habitats including the South Shore Estuary Reserve, the seashore and the dune environment. There are lots of fun things for kids to do. Inside the center, children can feel live marine animals, look through a children's microscope or play in the kid's activity area. Outside the center, children can dig up whale bones in the Discovery Bone Cove, walk through the butterfly garden or view a shipwreck. Map
  • Twin Ponds, Centerport Hiking and fishing. Parking is on the North side of 25A where there is a short trail to the sound. The south side has a nice loop around the lakes. Just be careful of crossing the street. Map
  • West Hills county Park -Melvile- Hiking , camping , you name it. Home of Jaynes Hill the highest point on long island. Huntington (631) 854-4423 Map <Webelos Camping Approved>
  • Wildwood state park Wildwood State Park comprises 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest terminating on the high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound. Trailer and tent sites are available for campers. Swimmers can take advantage of the cool waters of the Sound, and picnickers can relax at shaded picnic tables as their children enjoy the nearby playground. Visitors can fish and use the hiking and cross-country ski trails. Map

  • Caves & Climbing 

    • The Northeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc
    • Caves in NY State
    • Laurel Caverns
    • Central New Jersey Grotto  – Boy scout News Story
    • Indoor Climbing 
    • Alpine Endeavors
    • Mohonk Preserve
    • Shawangunk