Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

Wantagh Parkway Bike Path
(Wantagh)

A great way to see the estuary and islands of East Bay and South Oyster Bay is to take the 7-mile long paved bikeway along Wantagh Parkway and the Jones Beach Causeway. The guide Short Bike Rides on Long Island (1998, Globe Pequot) describes this as “the premier bike path on Long Island.” You can also combine your bike adventure with birding, swimming, a restaurant, and if you plan it right, even a performance at Marine Theatre (you won’t have parking problems!).

During the cold seasons of the year, you can bike all the way to and along the two-mile ocean boardwalk, and to Zachs Bay. This is a round trip of 14 miles, so allow a full day. Note that from April to September, bicycling is not allowed at the beach or on the boardwalk. During this season, the bikeway ends at Jones Beach Theatre (5 miles one way). You must park your bike in a bike corral.

How to Get There: Take Wantagh Parkway to exit W6 east. Drive a half-mile east on Merrick Road and turn right into the entrance for Cedar Creek County Park. Drive into the first parking lot to your right (west), closest to Wantagh Parkway.

Bike toward the woods and you will see a large sign announcing the “Ellen Ferrant Wantagh Bike Path.” A superb historic kiosk describes the intense community conflict for and against saving the park and building the parkway.

As you pass over three creeks, Great and Green Islands, and the causeway, observe all the boats, fishing, crabbing, and other bay activities that make this area so popular. During the off-season, you can continue onto Jones Beach boardwalk, and also head east to Zachs Bay. (See the description for Jones Beach State Park for more details on high quality birding opportunities here.)

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	Wantagh Parkway Bike Path (Wantagh) A great way to see the estuary and islands of East Bay and South Oyster Bay is to take the 7-mile long paved bikeway along Wantagh Parkway and the Jones Beach Causeway. The guide Short Bike Rides on Long Island (1998, Globe Pequot) describes this as “the premier bike path on Long Island.” You can also combine your bike adventure with birding, swimming, a restaurant, and if you plan it right, even a performance at Marine Theatre (you won’t have parking problems!). During the cold seasons of the year, you can bike all the way to and along the two-mile ocean boardwalk, and to Zachs Bay. This is a round trip of 14 miles, so allow a full day. Note that from April to September, bicycling is not allowed at the beach or on the boardwalk. During this season, the bikeway ends at Jones Beach Theatre (5 miles one way). You must park your bike in a bike corral. How to Get There: Take Wantagh Parkway to exit W6 east. Drive a half-mile east on Merrick Road and turn right into the entrance for Cedar Creek County Park. Drive into the first parking lot to your right (west), closest to Wantagh Parkway. Bike toward the woods and you will see a large sign announcing the “Ellen Ferrant Wantagh Bike Path.” A superb historic kiosk describes the intense community conflict for and against saving the park and building the parkway. As you pass over three creeks, Great and Green Islands, and the causeway, observe all the boats, fishing, crabbing, and other bay activities that make this area so popular. During the off-season, you can continue onto Jones Beach boardwalk, and also head east to Zachs Bay. (See the description for Jones Beach State Park for more details on high quality birding opportunities here.)