Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

South Haven County Park
(South Yaphank)

For the nature-oriented experience, South Haven County Park excels. Carman’s River, which flows through the park, is famous for canoeing (separately described). This state-designated Wild and Scenic River flows through the park for 3.2 miles. Fly-fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, and large-mouth bass is the primary activity above the dam. An operating fish hatchery can also be visited in the park.

The river is historically famous for fishing, with Daniel Webster and President Martin Van Buren among those who regularly fished it. It was once the most exclusive sportsmen’s club in the New York City area, the Suffolk Club. Anson Hard purchased it in the early 1900s as his private fishing and hunting lodge. Later it became the Suffolk Lodge Game Preserve. In the 1960s, it became Suffolk County’s first park opened to the public.

This guide focuses on its 2.3 mile marked nature trail. There are, however, about 5 more miles of unblazed trails to explore, many which are also used by horseback riders. At 1,356 acres, South Haven County Park is certainly large enough to accommodate a wide range of outdoor activities. This indeed is the case. It is the county’s most popular park for family and group picnicking. It is the headquarters for the Long Island Equestrian Center and has a bicycle hostel, campgrounds, shooting range and hunting, rowboat rentals, even a miniature steam engine train ride.

The forest closer to the park facilities is primarily red, black, white and bear oak, with a huckleberry understory. There are few pine trees because there have been no recent fires, allowing oaks to take over. Further north, it grades into Pine Barrens forest. Here, you can see signs of past fires, such as charred trunks. The pitch pine depends on periodic fires for germination of its seeds. The pine forest is a good place to see sweet fern, a fern-like shrub that smells like bayberry, to which it is related. Along the river, red maple, fragrant sweet pepperbush, ferns, and skunk cabbage thrive.

The park is an excellent place to sight birds. In February, large flocks of ducks and other waterfowl congregate on the lake and river. Examples include common and hooded merganser, scaup, bufflehead, coot, and grebes. Great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, belted kingfisher, and rufous-sided towhee are easily seen along its banks. In the dry woods, northern flickers and other woodpeckers live, along with black-capped chickadee, kinglets, brown creeper and tufted titmouse. Mammal life is typical, including chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon and opossum.

For park information, contact (631) 854-1414. For canoe information, see the Carman’s River description.

How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 58 North. As you enter William Floyd Parkway, prepare to turn west onto Victory Avenue (North Sunrise Service Road). Follow the signs to the park’s main entrance. Pick up a nature trail map and brochure, and a general park map at the entrance booth. Drive to the main parking field, which is surrounded by picnic facilities. The Nature Trail starts right behind the main restroom on the north side of the parking area.

Follow the white blazes to stay on the Nature Trail. Use the trail guide to enhance your walk. The trail heads north through oak and pine woods. Then it swings close to the Carman’s River and heads south. A short side trail leads to the concrete dam and spillway. You can watch fly fishermen angling for trout and bass. You may also see herons and kingfishers “angling” for their own fish. About ¾ mile along your route, you arrive at a scenic vista of the river where you can linger. The trail ends at another dam.

From here, head further south along the shore to Hards Lake. At the northwest corner of this lake, look for an active osprey nest. At the Log Cabin Information Center, you can rent rowboats, and get fishing permits. You can also inquire about seeing the fish hatchery. It is a short walk on the park road back to the main parking field.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	South Haven County Park (South Yaphank) For the nature-oriented experience, South Haven County Park excels. Carman’s River, which flows through the park, is famous for canoeing (separately described). This state-designated Wild and Scenic River flows through the park for 3.2 miles. Fly-fishing for brook trout, rainbow trout, and large-mouth bass is the primary activity above the dam. An operating fish hatchery can also be visited in the park. The river is historically famous for fishing, with Daniel Webster and President Martin Van Buren among those who regularly fished it. It was once the most exclusive sportsmen’s club in the New York City area, the Suffolk Club. Anson Hard purchased it in the early 1900s as his private fishing and hunting lodge. Later it became the Suffolk Lodge Game Preserve. In the 1960s, it became Suffolk County’s first park opened to the public. This guide focuses on its 2.3 mile marked nature trail. There are, however, about 5 more miles of unblazed trails to explore, many which are also used by horseback riders. At 1,356 acres, South Haven County Park is certainly large enough to accommodate a wide range of outdoor activities. This indeed is the case. It is the county’s most popular park for family and group picnicking. It is the headquarters for the Long Island Equestrian Center and has a bicycle hostel, campgrounds, shooting range and hunting, rowboat rentals, even a miniature steam engine train ride. The forest closer to the park facilities is primarily red, black, white and bear oak, with a huckleberry understory. There are few pine trees because there have been no recent fires, allowing oaks to take over. Further north, it grades into Pine Barrens forest. Here, you can see signs of past fires, such as charred trunks. The pitch pine depends on periodic fires for germination of its seeds. The pine forest is a good place to see sweet fern, a fern-like shrub that smells like bayberry, to which it is related. Along the river, red maple, fragrant sweet pepperbush, ferns, and skunk cabbage thrive. The park is an excellent place to sight birds. In February, large flocks of ducks and other waterfowl congregate on the lake and river. Examples include common and hooded merganser, scaup, bufflehead, coot, and grebes. Great blue heron, black-crowned night heron, belted kingfisher, and rufous-sided towhee are easily seen along its banks. In the dry woods, northern flickers and other woodpeckers live, along with black-capped chickadee, kinglets, brown creeper and tufted titmouse. Mammal life is typical, including chipmunk, squirrel, raccoon and opossum. For park information, contact (631) 854-1414. For canoe information, see the Carman’s River description. How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway (Route 27) to exit 58 North. As you enter William Floyd Parkway, prepare to turn west onto Victory Avenue (North Sunrise Service Road). Follow the signs to the park’s main entrance. Pick up a nature trail map and brochure, and a general park map at the entrance booth. Drive to the main parking field, which is surrounded by picnic facilities. The Nature Trail starts right behind the main restroom on the north side of the parking area. Follow the white blazes to stay on the Nature Trail. Use the trail guide to enhance your walk. The trail heads north through oak and pine woods. Then it swings close to the Carman’s River and heads south. A short side trail leads to the concrete dam and spillway. You can watch fly fishermen angling for trout and bass. You may also see herons and kingfishers “angling” for their own fish. About ¾ mile along your route, you arrive at a scenic vista of the river where you can linger. The trail ends at another dam. From here, head further south along the shore to Hards Lake. At the northwest corner of this lake, look for an active osprey nest. At the Log Cabin Information Center, you can rent rowboats, and get fishing permits. You can also inquire about seeing the fish hatchery. It is a short walk on the park road back to the main parking field.