The quiet Sound View Dunes County Park (4201-5801 Soundview Ave., Southold) is one of the most enchanting locations on the North Fork, partly because it merges a little bit of everything that makes the area so unique.
From the parking area, the mile long trail meanders through a a sandy, woodland forest with several wooden walkways placed throughout over low-lying wetlands.
Suddenly, the forest becomes sparse and you’ll find yourself among the dunes and a bit further, an expansive view of the Long Island Sound.
(There’s also a shorter, more direct trail if you’re looking to high tail it to the water.)
The preserve, a joint effort between Southold Town and Suffolk County, offers a look at a rare ecological environment known as an internal swale community, a fresh-water wetland that occurs between dunes.
No matter what path you take, it’s an easy walk with maximum reward.
We recently spent time exploring and working up a sweat on a sweltering day before reaching the beach and going for a dip.
Spend a minute with us there:
