Next up in our Winter Walks series: Prosser Pines Nature Preserve. If you missed the first one, you can check out my rundown of Quogue Wildlife Refuge here.
NOTE: Due to COVID-19, hours and amenities may be affected. Please check the status of your intended destination before visiting.
Prosser Pines is a little gem located at 67 Yaphank-Middle Island Rd (Rt 21) right in Middle Island. If you are unfamiliar, you have probably driven past it a bunch of times and didn't even realize it.
Popular as a destination for outdoor photoshoots, Prosser Pines features white pines that span almost 100 feet into the sky over 15 acres. There is something magical about walking underneath the canopy of giant pines. This place is quite small compared to other hiking destinations. While this is a small park, it does pack a huge punch. Don't let its size fool you. It is definitely worth checking out.
This is the perfect spot to test out your youngest child or new dog/puppy to see how they would do on a hike. I started taking my children here as toddlers. The trail is only 0.7 miles long that loops around the preserve with many cut throughs throughout. It is very open since it is full of pine trees without a lot of vegetation at the ground level. This is an easy and flat hike.
 Image: Helen Partlow |
A big draw for children is the giant tree logs balanced together into teepees. These are a lot of fun for the kids to explore and play with. It lets their imaginations soar!
Trail Information
- 0.7 mile loop with a lot of cut throughs
- To go immediately to the teepees, walk straight into the preserve, do not follow the loop and you should be able to spot them
PROSSER PINES NATURE PRESERVE RUNDOWN
- Trails are open 365 days a year
- FREE parking and entrance
- Makeshift teepees make it fun for kids
- Short trail and flat land make it ideal for little ones
- No bathrooms
- No benches along the trail
- Leashed dogs are allowed
- Paths have a considerable amount of pine needles and tree routes. I do not think it is wheelchair or stroller friendly.
- Lots of local photographers use this for outdoor photoshoots in the warmer months.
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Mt Sinai Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in the Greater Mt Sinai area specifically: Mt Sinai, Miller Place, Sound Beach, Rocky Point, Shoreham, Ridge, & Middle Island. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, event and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more.
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