Shirley: Nature at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

When looking for a hotel in Shirley for a trip, you can get a sense of the area by exploring its nature and recreation destinations. These include the expansive Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, the trails at Patriots Preserve, and the diverse recreational opportunities at Southaven County Park. The different trail lengths and activities offer concrete ways to decide which nature experiences you would like to prioritize during your stay.

Nature Along the Carmans River

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge protects 2,550 acres on Long Island’s South Shore, with the Carmans River flowing through the area. Nearly six miles of trails pass through pine barrens forest and along the river. Here, forest and river landscapes meet within a single protected area. The Refuge provides habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey, and songbirds.

Public recreational opportunities include wildlife viewing and nature photography, as well as hiking, fishing, and paddling. Interpretive programs and environmental education complement the outdoor activities. The offerings thus include both independent nature observation and organized nature-focused topics. If you would primarily like to explore the landscape on foot, the Refuge has a trail network whose trails total nearly six miles.

Trails of Different Lengths

Patriots Preserve has a 3/4-mile hiking trail and a 1.03-mile multi-use fitness trail. Their names and lengths distinguish the two trails: one is designated as a hiking trail, while the other is a fitness trail for multiple uses. By comparison, the trail network at Wertheim Refuge covers nearly six miles. These figures help you compare the offerings by the extent of their designated trails, rather than treating all nature destinations as identical hiking options.

Recreational Opportunities at Southaven County Park

Southaven County Park broadens the selection with hiking, birdwatching, freshwater fishing, rowing, picnicking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, and canoeing. Water-based, land-based, and nature activities are all available here: rowing and canoeing complement hiking, horseback riding, and camping; birdwatching, freshwater fishing, picnicking, and hunting are also among the offerings. Local rules or conditions may apply to certain activities. This lets you consider which of the listed options suits your interests when planning, without reducing the three parks to a single type of visit.

Plan a Visit to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge’s trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The visitor center is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since operating hours may change, check the current hours with the Refuge before you arrive. The Refuge also has a nature shop operated by the nonprofit Friends of Wertheim Refuge. If you are planning a visit specifically to the shop, check its hours in advance.

The Refuge’s exhibit hall includes an interactive presentation with dioramas of Long Island’s ecosystems, a Discovery Island Touch Table, and a Night Room. These features complement the nature offerings with an exhibition-based perspective on the region’s ecosystems. Together with the trails, wildlife, and recreational opportunities, they provide a clear picture of the different experiences Shirley has to offer during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Shelter Island Heights, Southampton, Shelter Island, North Babylon, Medford, Fire Island, Sag Harbor, Saltaire

For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.