Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Griffith Preserve
(East Quogue)

Griffith Preserve is one of only two nature preserves along Shinnecock Bay. Like the DuPont Sanctuary at the east end of the bay, it is owned by the Nature Conservancy. It is one of about 40 nature preserves owned by the Conservancy’s Long Island Chapter. (The separate South Fork Chapter owns another 31 preserves.)

The preserve’s trail runs for a third of a mile. It takes you first through pine-oak woods, then through oak-hickory woods to the end. High bush and low bush blueberries form a well-developed, often continuous, shrub layer. The prickly green briar and poison ivy are other shrubs. A fine large specimen of American holly also grows along the trail.

Woodland bird life is easy to see, along with cottontail rabbits and gray squirrels. Tidal saltmarshes border the preserve on the east, just a short distance from the trail. Marsh wildlife thrives here as well.

This area was once a cattle and sheep pasture. The Griffith family acquired the land in the 1950s and donated it to the Nature Conservancy in the 1970s. The Conservancy would appreciate being notified before you visit. Contact them at (631) 367-3225, P.O. Box 72, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724.

How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 64. Go south on Route 104 (Quogue-Riverhead Road) to Route 27A (Montauk Highway). Turn right (west) and go 0.1 mile to the preserve entrance on the left (across from the VFW Hall). Recognize it where there is a private road with two large brick entry markers (Neck Lane). The sanctuary is about a third of a mile from the private road entrance. Look for the fire hydrant. It is located on the right side between house # 8 and # 26. Pull off on the side of the road. You are allowed to park along this road.

There is only one trail. Bear left at private driveway to return to the private road that you came in on. You can return on the same trail, or turn right on the private road, which brings you back to your car in 0.2 miles.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Griffith Preserve (East Quogue) Griffith Preserve is one of only two nature preserves along Shinnecock Bay. Like the DuPont Sanctuary at the east end of the bay, it is owned by the Nature Conservancy. It is one of about 40 nature preserves owned by the Conservancy’s Long Island Chapter. (The separate South Fork Chapter owns another 31 preserves.) The preserve’s trail runs for a third of a mile. It takes you first through pine-oak woods, then through oak-hickory woods to the end. High bush and low bush blueberries form a well-developed, often continuous, shrub layer. The prickly green briar and poison ivy are other shrubs. A fine large specimen of American holly also grows along the trail. Woodland bird life is easy to see, along with cottontail rabbits and gray squirrels. Tidal saltmarshes border the preserve on the east, just a short distance from the trail. Marsh wildlife thrives here as well. This area was once a cattle and sheep pasture. The Griffith family acquired the land in the 1950s and donated it to the Nature Conservancy in the 1970s. The Conservancy would appreciate being notified before you visit. Contact them at (631) 367-3225, P.O. Box 72, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724. How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 64. Go south on Route 104 (Quogue-Riverhead Road) to Route 27A (Montauk Highway). Turn right (west) and go 0.1 mile to the preserve entrance on the left (across from the VFW Hall). Recognize it where there is a private road with two large brick entry markers (Neck Lane). The sanctuary is about a third of a mile from the private road entrance. Look for the fire hydrant. It is located on the right side between house # 8 and # 26. Pull off on the side of the road. You are allowed to park along this road. There is only one trail. Bear left at private driveway to return to the private road that you came in on. You can return on the same trail, or turn right on the private road, which brings you back to your car in 0.2 miles.