Explore Long Island's fall foliage on a bike, boat or on horseback
As the foliage starts to change, Janet Botaish rides horseback on Trace through the water of Main Pond at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Fall foliage traditionally brings hikers to leaf-peep at Long Island's parks and preserves, but autumn's changing colors can also be relished on a bike, paddleboat, kayak or horseback.
Here are outdoor fall color experiences to try through peak foliage in October.
On a boat
Belmont Lake State Park
Southern State Parkway, Exit 38, North Babylon
Rent a paddleboat, a kayak or a rowboat at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. Credit: Joseph Sperber
Through Oct. 13, you can rent a paddleboat, a kayak or — if you really want a workout — a rowboat, to cruise around the serene foliage-framed lake at the center of this always busy park.
Rent your water craft at the boat dock, and pedal, paddle or stroke your way out onto the 26-acre lake, which is ringed by oak, maple and sassafras trees with leaves turning hues of yellow, orange, and red, according to state parks officials.
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Cost $8 parking weekends and holidays; boat rental $20/two hours.
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More info 631-667-5055, parks.ny.gov
On a kayak, canoe or paddleboard
Kings Park residents Dawn and Joe McGuire and their kids Mason, 9, and Mackenzie, 12, take kayaks along the Nissequogue River. Credit: Joseph Sperber/Joseph Sperber
"It’s gorgeous here in October," says Linda Sandstedt of Nissequogue River Canoe & Kayak Rentals. Through Nov. 1, Sandstedt will outfit you and your crew with a kayak or canoe for a 2½- to 3-hour, 5½-mile paddle on the Nissequogue. Along the way you’ll see hardwood forests in full fall regalia, as well as tidal and fresh water wetlands. A terrapin turtle, river otter or any of 50 bird species (American bald eagles included) may also be seen on the New York State-designated "Scenic and Recreational River."
The fee includes a ride in a vehicle back to the starting point.
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Cost $50 single kayak, $70 double
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More info 631-979-8244, canoerentals.com, text 631-219-4887 in advance for launch times, which vary by the tides.
East End nature preserves
Offseason is high season for kayakers to explore nature preserves owned by the Peconic Land Trust.
Yvette DeBow Salsedo, vice president of the Southampton-based nonprofit, says kayakers can access the Broad Cove Preserve in Aquebogue (peconiclandtrust.org), at Indian Island County Park in Riverhead (Indian Point Road, suffolkcountyny.gov). Kayaking is also permitted in Berglund and Lesster Preserves in North Sea (Scotts Road, Southampton, peconiclandtrust.org) and at the organization’s Georgica Pond Preserve in Wainscott (108 Wainscott Stone Rd., peconiclandtrust.org).
If you don’t own a kayak, you can rent one at Paddle Diva (10 Boat Yard Rd., East Hampton) and head out on your own or with a group.
Owner Gina Bradley says Paddle Diva offers kayak and stand-up paddling lessons and guided tours in Georgica Pond, Accabonac Harbor and Three Mile Harbor. Bradley says these adventures highlight the Hamptons’ "incredible foliage season" and "pristine waterways."
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Cost $50 per hour kayak or paddleboard rental; $100 per person guided tour
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More info 631-329-2999, paddlediva.com
On horseback
Connetquot River State Park Preserve
4090 Sunrise Hwy., Oakdale
Fall color bursts in Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale. Credit: Veronique Louis
Cooler temperatures and brilliant fall colors make this season a popular time of the year for horseback riding at Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, says Leslie Bartik, office manager at Parkview Riding Center (989 Connetquot Ave., Central Islip).
"It’s beautiful out there," Bartik says of Connetquot’s bridle path, which passes the 3,473-acre nature preserve’s picturesque Main Pond and Main Dam at the Nicoll Grist Mill.
Thoroughbreds, quarter horses and other kinds of horses are available for trail rides and lessons, which can be arranged with Parkview by reservation only, Bartik says.
Beginners are welcome. "For trail rides, no experience is necessary," Bartik says.
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Cost Group rides $75 per hour/per person for up to 10 people; private rides: $100 per hour per person.
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More info 631-581-9477, parkviewridingcenter.com
On a bicycle
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., Huntington
Take a scenic bike ride at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Caumsett’s forest of oak, maple and tulip trees leads to a coastal wetland area that features "notable fall color," Kevin Wiecks, director of Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, says in an e-mailed statement. "They also have significant specimen trees; beech, linden and elm, all with a diversity of fall color," Wiecks says.
Bicyclists share a multiuse paved path through acres of woodlands and meadows with hikers and joggers. Sites along the way at the former Marshall Field III estate include a polo pony barn and a magnificent estate house atop a hill with panoramic views of Long Island Sound.
- Cost $8 parking fee through Oct. 13
- More info 631-423-1770, parks.ny.gov
Hither Hills State Park
164 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk
More experienced cyclists can try the mountain biking trail through the forest at Hither Hills State Park in Montauk. Hither Hills comprises "a unique blend of woodland trees, oak and maple, coastal plants, smooth and winged sumac," Wiecks says.
- Cost Free
- More info 631-668-2554, parks.ny.gov
