Orient Beach State ParkLocation: Orient, NY
Size: 363 acres
Date of hike: July 25, 2019
Orient Beach State Park is a slim spit of land with a beautiful beach and sandy trails at the eastern end of Long Island's North Fork. I've wanted to hike it for a while now and that day finally arrived on the morning of a weekend getaway to Newport, R.I. The Cross Sound Ferry is right alongside the park and departs hourly for New London, Conn., which is just 50 miles west of Newport. And so, a few hours before our ferry, I set out to explore this superb park.
Prior to hiking, I acquainted myself with the history and habitats of Orient Beach State Park. The parcel is a "wonderland of waterfront" with 45,000 feet of shoreline along Gardiners Bay, as well as a salt marsh and a rare maritime forest that features red cedars, blackjack oaks and prickly pear cactus, according to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's website. "Orient Beach State Park is on a sand gravel spit, which was created by the movement of sand and gravel caused by the tides, current and waves," said one of many signs in the park. "Over a period of thousands of years, the narrow spit has become what it is today and continues to change in size and form." The park's most popular spot is the lovely Long Beach, which became a National Natural Landmark in 1980. The beach's eastern end permits swimming between green flags, while the western section has a protected sanctuary for endangered birds. As for the park's maritime red cedar forest, it has a plant community that can endure storms and maintain stability for the barrier island. The forest is found in less than five locations statewide and this one is considered to be the "best example of its kind" in New York, according to a sign. Lastly, no pets are permitted.
The park's entrance is along the south side of Main Road just before the Cross Sound Ferry. The vehicle entrance fee is $8, with that price rising to $10 during the summer peak season, and the beach opens year round at 8 a.m. Upon entering, I drove down a two-mile entrance road that was bordered to the north by Long Beach Bay and to the south by Gardiners Bay, periodically pulling over for photos and to read signs about the area's wildlife. Before hitting the trails, I wandered around the main beach area, which featured everything from a colorful playground to swinging benches to a small refreshment stand. It was absolutely one of the best beaches I've seen on Long Island, and if I wasn't short on time I would've loved to relax on the sand. I also would've liked to try kayaking. "Patrons come to Orient Beach mostly for relaxing, picnicking, enjoying the peaceful outdoors and for various recreation activities," according to the state's site. "Visitors can swim in the bay, fish from shore, go kayaking, windsurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding, go hiking and biking, or walk on a nature trail."
Next, I tackled the trails. I started with the 0.3-mile Roy Latham Maritime Forest Trail, which sits on the south side of the entrance road just before the parking lot. I then hiked the park's southwestern section, which features a beachy peninsula that stretches for nearly 2.5 miles. Keep an eye out for the park's landmark plaque. "This site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the nation's natural heritage and contributes to the better understanding of man's environment," it stated. I also passed several osprey platforms along the peninsula, as well as neighboring signs that identify the beach as an "Audubon Important Bird Area." "Every March, ospreys return to Orient Beach State Park to breed and raise their young," stated a sign, noting that nests weigh up to 2,000 pounds. "During spring and summer, osprey parents raise two or three chicks, feeding them fish caught from Gardiners Bay."
Other highlights of the park were coastal salt ponds and the Orient Long Beach Bar Light. "Coastal salt ponds are globally rare habitats restricted to the shores of New England and Long Island," a sign said. "They're formed when a sand spit closes off a lagoon or bay and traps salt water." Interestingly, the park has two of the state's remaining coastal salt ponds, which span just two acres. As for the lighthouse, it was destroyed during a fire in 1963 and reassembled in 1990. It's often called "Bug Light," since it was initially built on pilings and looked like a big water bug at high tide, according to the Long Island Trail Lovers Coalition. "The foundation is now concrete, but the nickname remains," the coalition's website said.
Regarding wildlife, I observed birds ranging from hawks to herons. I also saw a nesting area for least terns and piping plovers, with a sign warning hikers of arrests for "killing, harassing or in any way disturbing these birds." Other wildlife you may find includes ducks, deer and diamondback terrapins. "Each June and July, female diamondback terrapins emerge to lay eggs in the sandy soils of the park," said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's website. "Deer can been seen in forests and salt marshes lining the road."
Needless to say, I think all local lovers of the outdoors should visit Orient Beach State Park, even if you don't venture to the very end of the peninsula. Go on a picnic. Swim in the bay. Fish from the shore. Rent a kayak or paddle board. Whatever you like, you can do it here. It's quite a drive to reach this beach, but it's worth it. Believe me. You'll be happy you did.
Map: Orient Beach State Park (Google Maps image)
Parking: 41°07'46.5"N 72°15'53.7"W
Video: Orient Beach State Park (360-degree view)
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