Path through a field with fluffy clouds in blue sky
State Land

Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center

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Map of Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center

The Ridge Conservation Area offers 184 acres of mixed wooded and open habitats. Trail markers and an interpretive trail help visitors explore the property that includes 81 acres of reverting farm fields, 85 acres of forest, and 4 acres of fishable ponds. Randall Pond site is a prime place for a picnic or some fishing.

A free 3-year Managed Land Access Permit is for all using this property. Visit DEC's nForm page if you need information on how to obtain a NY.gov account, which is required for these permits. Call the Ridge Check Station at (631) 924-3156 (November - January).

Users must observe regulations for use of NYSDEC managed lands in Suffolk County.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

There are three marked trails starting at the southwest corner of Randall Pond by the kiosks. The trails vary in length and can lead you through a number of habitats including pond, woodland, field and marsh.

Trails are marked by red, blue and yellow circles. The red trail is a 1.4-mile loop that ends on the south side of the parking lot. The blue trail is an additional 1.1-mile loop that can be found 0.5 miles from Post 1 in the parking lot off the red trail. The yellow trail markers indicate the current accessible trail along Randall Pond.

Trail markers are placed at eye level or higher wherever possible. If you lose the trail, return to the last point you saw a marker, and look for the next one.

There is an interpretive trail on the property to enhance your hiking experience. As you walk the trail, stop at each wooden marker and read the corresponding text to learn about Long Island's unique ecosystems.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules & regulations.

There are 3 fishing piers off of the interpretive trail that provide access to Randall Pond.

A webpage is available with information that depicts the Public Access for Fishing Randall Pond.

Long Island/NYC Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 1C

General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.

Consult hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits.

Ridge Hunter Check Station serves as a check point for hunters using DEC property under a daily access permit, and to check game taken on these properties. The check station is open Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2 - 6 p.m. from October 1 thru the end of October.  It is open seven days a week, November through December, from one hour prior to sunrise to 3 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). On Fridays and Saturdays, hours will be extended until 6 p.m. for deer check. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the days of the January Firearms deer season. January Firearms season starts the first Sunday of January, with the exception of January 1 when the check station will be closed.

Wildlife Management Unit: 1C

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Consult hunting on Long Island for information on hunting opportunities and obtaining hunting permits.

Ridge Hunter Check Station serves as a check point for hunters using DEC property under a daily access permit, and to check game taken on these properties. The check station is open Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 2 - 6 p.m. from October 1 thru the end of October. It is open seven days a week,  November through December,  from one hour prior to sunrise to 3 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). On Fridays and Saturdays, hours will be extended until 6 p.m. for deer check. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the days of the January Firearms deer season. January Firearms season starts the first Sunday of January, with the exception of January 1 when the check station will be closed.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

There are no public launch sites on the property, however, hand launching from the shoreline of Randall Pond is allowed.

General information on watchable wildlife includes tips for viewing wildlife and links to other watchable wildlife locations.

Ridge Pine Barrens State Forest and Maintenance Center is a site on the New York State Birding Trail. For more information about birding in New York, please visit Birding.

Wildlife to Watch

  • Belted kingfishers, spotted sandpipers, great blue herons, ducks
  • Bobwhite quail, ring-necked pheasants, meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows
  • Scarlet tanagers, catbirds, robins, cedar waxwings
  • White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, gray and flying squirrels
  • Painted and box turtles, pumpkinseed sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bullhead, rainbow trout

Where To Watch

  • Wetlands, freshwater pond
  • Scrubland, grassland
  • Oak-pine forest

Accessible Features

From the DEC Field Headquarters Public Picnic Area Parking, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Public picnic area; and
  • Restroom

From the Randall Pond West and East Parking Areas, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Two fishing platforms;
  • Viewing platform; and
  • Hiking Trail

The interpretive yellow trail around pond is 0.3 mile one way with a gentle grade (max. slope 5%), wide tread (min. width 4 feet), and firm crushed stone surface.

The viewing platform is 500 feet from the West parking lot. One fishing pier is at the East parking lot, and the other is 300 feet from the East parking lot.

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) exit 68, north on William Floyd Parkway (CR 46) to Rt. 25 west, 1/4 mile to right turn on Randall Road, entrance 300' on left side.

  • Randall Pond West Parking Area (40.8967514°N, 72.8922272°W) Google Maps
  • Randall Pond East Parking Area (40.898735°N, 72.8906174°W) Google Maps
  • Picnic Area parking (40.8970222°N, 72.8931274°W) Google Maps 

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Ridge Conservation Area must follow all DEC Suffolk County Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Specific Rules

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a unit management plan (UMP) which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us [email protected].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas, food, dining opportunities, lodging and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Rocky Point.

Nassau County Tourism and Discover Long Island can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

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Region 1 - Long Island
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