Montauk - Extraordinary parks and hiking trails await visitors who come to Montauk to admire the stunning natural beauty. Montauk's trails are ideal for scenic nature walks, wildlife viewing, photography and meditation. Many of the trails lead up to a beach, the sound, or lakes and ponds in which you can beach in seclusion, kayak, fish, and more. These excursions are not limited just to summertime - sightings of the great migration of beautiful Monarch Butterflies along the coastal dunes in the Fall will captivate you, and the seal walks in the winter are a thrilling experience. Spring hikes in the early mornings will enchant you with the return of the Ospreys along with the chorus of peepers that resonate around the wetlands. Montauk has something to offer Nature Lovers in every season!

Visit these beautiful parks and hiking trails in Montauk:

Shadmoor State Park: Once used for military surveillance, Shadmoor has amazing hiking trails on 99 acres, with an ocean beach accessed by rolling geography and the almighty shadbush that grows there. High bluffs, freshwater wetlands are also part of the preserve, and elevated platforms are available for bird watching and enjoying the shoreline views. The Preserve Trail is an easy, 2.5 mile hike that will take about 1.25 hours to complete, and is kid and dog-friendly!

Birds and osprey nest and rest in Montauk. (Courtesy Photo: KG Media)

Hither Woods West: Has over 3,000 acres of diverse oak woods, grass lands, walking dunes and sandy beaches. The Hither Hills West Overlook on Montauk Highway serves as a starting point for more than a dozen hiking trails! These trails are narrow and somewhat rugged, with nature really dominating some areas. Hither Woods is a priceless natural resource, offering hikers and bikers year round access to unspoiled nature. Check out The Ocean View Trail - a seldom traversed, somewhat hilly trail - past Fresh Pond in Hither Woods, finishing on part of the newly created Elisha's Valley Loop. The Fresh Pond Loop Trail is an easy three mile hike that is also dog-friendly.

Camp Hero: Is a former U.S. Air Force Military base. History buffs will have a field day here! This park has a pristine maritime forest, natural freshwater wetlands, spectacular ocean vistas and the highest ocean bluffs in Montauk where you can see all the way to Block Island on a clear day. You can get pretty close to the Montauk Radar Tower and the huge buried gun batteries left behind from World War II, which are partially hidden in bunkers. Natural beauty combined with man-made structures of historical interest makes this a very unique hiking experience indeed. Try the Point Woods Loop Trail - unique because it is protected by a natural depression and has seen little recent disturbance from people. The depression and the high bluffs that face the Atlantic Ocean protect the trees and shrubs from being stunted by the salt laden winds blowing off the ocean and bay. Botany enthusiasts will find mature laurel and holly, and there are few places where you can find such large specimens of black tupelo, beech, shadbush, and red maple. As you thread your way through freshwater wetlands, you'll see Fern, spicebush, and bayberry. This trail hugs the contours of the land and takes the hiker gently up the slopes.

Theodore Roosevelt State Park: With a total of 1,126 acres, it features 3 ½ miles of nature trails that are suitable for hiking - with a self-guided nature trail brochure available at the information kiosk. There are also five miles of horseback trails (horses with a tour guide can be rented from a nearby stable). There is a terrific picnic area and canoeing available at Big Reed Pond.

Seals off Montauk. (Courtesy Photo: KG Media)

The Montauk Seal Haul Out Trail: Is a very popular trail in the off-season! A short walk takes you to the Beach area in which you can observe the harbor seals that come down in late winter and spring and like to sunbathe on the rocks just west of the shore there. The walk is scenic, with a diverse ecosystem and abundant wildlife. At the entrance to this trail you have the choice of hiking the Seal trail, Odgen Brook trail, Paumanok Path West, Oyster Pond trail, or the Money Pond Trail. The Seal Haul out Trail winds its way to a Rocky Point. In late winter and spring, the harbor seals sun themselves on the shoreline just east of Oyster Pond. A viewing blind at Rocky Point (or Stepping Stones) is also available.

There is an easy 3/4 mile trail that loops through one of the world's most fascinating dune areas, some reaching 80 feet tall! The Walking Dunes Trail is an enjoyable path along a corridor of sand under a canopy of oaks, beach plum and pitch pine. Shifting sands are explained through interpretive signs along the route. The sands are for visible enjoyment only. Understanding the term "walking dunes" is apparent as the sand attempts to bury the hardwoods. The sand dunes roll northwest offering you an opportunity to travel upward for breath-taking panoramic views of Napeague Harbor, Napeague Bay, Goff Point and beyond. As your journey comes to a close, you'll be treated to views of an aged cranberry bog. Head left and look for the wide sand path which ascends, then descends slightly carrying you to the end of the loop trail. This is a true adventure, and easy to explore in about an hour.

The Oyster Pond Trail: Is a trail well worth hiking, with nice views and a diverse eco system. This is a great trail for bird-watching, especially during the Fall migration. The end of this trail will take you to Block Island sound as well as Oyster pond with amazing scenic views!

Hiking Tips: Bring a camera and binoculars. Be safe and wear long pants and socks. Bring Insect and tick repellant. Bring water. Be respectful of the delicate balance of nature. Do not feed the wildlife. Not all hiking trails welcome dogs, so be sure to check ahead before bringing Rover! Not all trails have restroom facilities, so check first before heading out. Dogs must always be on leashes that are no longer than six feet. Take all of your garbage away with you, do not leave any refuse on the trails!