Trail View State Park

The entrance sign for Trail View State Park welcomes visitors to one of Long Island's largest natural preserves, where miles of wooded hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through mature forests and rolling terrain. Located along Jericho Turnpike in western Suffolk County, the park offers year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature exploration. — The entrance sign for Trail View State Park welcomes visitors to one of Long Island’s largest natural preserves, where miles of wooded hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails wind through mature forests and rolling terrain. Located along Jericho Turnpike in western Suffolk County, the park offers year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature exploration.

Trail View State Park is a 400-acre state park located along the border of Huntington and Smithtown in western Suffolk County. Known for its extensive trail system, mature forests, rolling hills, and peaceful natural surroundings, the park is one of Long Island’s premier destinations for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, horseback riding, and wildlife observation. Its location along the historic Long Island Greenbelt Trail makes it an important recreational resource for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the region.

Originally planned as part of the never-completed Northern State Parkway Extension, the property was preserved and transformed into parkland, creating hundreds of acres of protected open space. Today, Trail View State Park offers visitors a unique combination of history, recreation, and natural beauty just minutes from several of Long Island’s busiest communities.

History

The land that now comprises Trail View State Park was originally acquired for a proposed extension of the Northern State Parkway. When the highway project was ultimately abandoned, New York State preserved much of the corridor as public parkland. Trail View State Park officially opened in 2008, transforming what had once been reserved for transportation into one of western Suffolk County’s largest protected natural areas.

Today, the park serves as an important link within Long Island’s trail network while preserving woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife habitat for future generations.

Hiking and Trails

Trail View State Park features miles of multi-use trails that wind through forests, hills, and open meadows. The park forms part of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, allowing hikers to travel through a much larger network of interconnected parks and preserves across Long Island.

Trails range from relatively easy woodland walks to more challenging routes with rolling elevation changes. Visitors frequently enjoy hiking, trail running, nature photography, and peaceful walks beneath the park’s mature hardwood canopy.

Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding

Trail View State Park has become one of Long Island’s most popular destinations for mountain biking. The varied terrain, wooded single-track trails, and changing elevations provide challenging rides for cyclists of many skill levels.

Horseback riding is also permitted on designated trails, making the park a favorite destination for equestrians seeking scenic rides through protected woodlands.

Wildlife and Natural Features

The park protects mature oak forests, wetlands, native vegetation, and diverse wildlife habitats. White-tailed deer, red foxes, wild turkeys, hawks, owls, turtles, and numerous songbird species are commonly observed throughout the year.

Spring wildflowers, colorful autumn foliage, and quiet woodland scenery make Trail View State Park an attractive destination for photographers and nature lovers in every season.

Facilities

Trail View State Park provides trailheads, parking areas, informational kiosks, and miles of marked recreational trails. The park is designed primarily for passive outdoor recreation and nature appreciation, with relatively limited built facilities in order to preserve its natural character.

Location

The park is located along Jericho Turnpike (New York State Route 25) near the border of Huntington and Smithtown. It is easily accessible from the Long Island Expressway, the Northern State Parkway, and surrounding Suffolk County communities.

Key Facts & Details

Category	Details
Location	Town of Huntington and Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County
Park Size	Approximately 400 acres
Managed By	New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Known For	Long Island Greenbelt Trail, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, woodland scenery
Popular Activities	Hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding, birdwatching, nature photography
Natural Features	Forests, wetlands, rolling hills, native wildlife, seasonal wildflowers
Nearby Communities	Huntington, Smithtown, Elwood, Commack
Trail Network	Part of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail
Access	Jericho Turnpike (NY 25), Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway

Trail View State Park preserves hundreds of acres of woodlands and open space while providing one of Long Island’s finest destinations for hiking, cycling, horseback riding, and outdoor recreation. Whether visitors are exploring a section of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail or simply enjoying a peaceful walk through the forest, the park offers a refreshing escape into nature in the heart of western Suffolk County.