Penny Pond

For many New Yorkers, the desire to escape the urban clamor and immerse oneself in nature is a recurring call. While the Hamptons are often synonymous with beaches and upscale living, they also harbor hidden pockets of wilderness perfect for those who seek tranquility on foot. One such serene destination is Penny Pond, located in Hampton Bays, NY. This hiking area offers a refreshing contrast to the more bustling parts of Long Island, providing a quiet, scenic escape into natural woodlands.

Penny Pond is not your typical high-traffic park with paved pathways and abundant amenities. Instead, it offers a more rustic and authentic outdoor experience, focusing on the beauty of its natural landscape. As one reviewer aptly describes it, it's a place for a "beautiful walk, nice scenery, quiet." This quietude is precisely what draws many to its trails, allowing for a deep connection with the environment, free from the distractions of modern life. It's a place where the sounds of nature prevail, and the simple act of walking becomes a meditative journey.

However, part of its secluded charm also comes with a note of caution regarding access. One review highlights, "Very difficult to access. I almost got stranded because the access road (old squire) is a mile of sand!" This underscores the importance of proper planning and understanding the terrain, ensuring that your visit to this beautiful spot is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. This article will provide New Yorkers with a comprehensive guide to Penny Pond, covering its location, what to expect, and how to best prepare for a rewarding hiking experience.

Penny Pond is situated at 24 Hildreth Rd S, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, USA. Hampton Bays is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Southampton in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. This location places Penny Pond within the scenic and often serene environment of the Hamptons, offering a natural retreat relatively deep into eastern Long Island.

For New Yorkers planning a trip to Penny Pond, understanding its accessibility is crucial, especially given the review mentioning challenging access. If traveling by car from New York City or other parts of Long Island, the most common route involves taking the Long Island Expressway (I-495) or Sunrise Highway (Route 27) east. Hampton Bays is a significant destination on Route 27. Once in Hampton Bays, navigating to Hildreth Road South might involve local roads.

The key accessibility note, as highlighted by a visitor, concerns the access road. "Old Squire" (likely Old Squires Road or a similarly named unpaved route) leading to the park can be a "mile of sand." This means that a standard sedan or a vehicle with low clearance might encounter difficulties. For optimal access, especially during or after dry periods, a vehicle with four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) is strongly recommended to navigate the sandy terrain safely and avoid getting stuck. Planning your route on GPS or a map beforehand, with an awareness of potential unpaved sections, would be beneficial.

Public transportation to this specific hiking area might be challenging. While the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has a station in Hampton Bays, reaching Penny Pond from the station would likely require a taxi or ride-sharing service, and even then, these services might be hesitant or unable to navigate the sandy access road. Therefore, driving in a suitable vehicle remains the most practical way to access Penny Pond for most visitors. Its secluded nature, while contributing to its quiet charm, also means that it requires a bit more planning for a smooth arrival.

As a natural hiking area, Penny Pond doesn't offer conventional "services" in the way a heavily developed park might (e.g., visitor centers, restrooms, concession stands). Its primary offerings are inherent to its natural landscape and the experience it provides.

Services Offered (Passive and Natural):

• Hiking Trails: Provides a network of unpaved trails suitable for walking, jogging, and exploring the natural environment.
• Nature Observation: Offers opportunities for bird watching, observing local flora and fauna, and enjoying the tranquility of a woodland and pond ecosystem.
• Quiet Retreat: Serves as a secluded spot for peaceful walks, meditation, or simply escaping the noise of daily life.
• Dog-Friendly Access: Generally, natural areas like this are dog-friendly, allowing leashed dogs on trails (visitors should always check local signage for specific leash laws).
• Photographic Opportunities: The scenic beauty of the pond and surrounding woodlands provides excellent opportunities for nature photography.

Features / Highlights:

• Secluded Natural Setting: The park's primary highlight is its untouched, quiet, and serene natural environment, offering a genuine escape into the wilderness.
• Penny Pond: The central feature is the pond itself, a natural body of water that serves as a focal point for the trails and attracts wildlife.
• Diverse Scenery: The "beautiful scenery" mentioned in reviews suggests a mix of woodlands, potentially wetlands around the pond, and varied vegetation along the trails.
• Rustic Trails: The trails are likely natural, unpaved paths, which contribute to the authentic hiking experience and require appropriate footwear.
• Wildlife Habitat: The pond and surrounding woodlands provide habitat for various birds, amphibians, and small mammals, making it ideal for wildlife spotting.
• Challenges for Access: The "mile of sand" on the access road (Old Squire) is a notable feature, requiring suitable vehicle types (4WD/AWD) for comfortable entry, which also contributes to its secluded feel by filtering out casual visitors.
• Undisturbed Ambiance: The lack of extensive development ensures a truly quiet and undisturbed atmosphere, a rare commodity in many accessible natural areas.

As a natural, undeveloped hiking area, Penny Pond does not offer "promotions or special offers" in a commercial sense. Access to the park is generally free to the public, as it is a natural resource.

However, local environmental groups or conservation organizations in the Hampton Bays area might occasionally organize guided nature walks, clean-up events, or educational programs focused on the local ecosystem. While these are not commercial promotions, they represent opportunities for New Yorkers to engage more deeply with the park and learn about its natural significance. To discover such opportunities, it would be beneficial to check the websites or social media channels of local conservation trusts, environmental education centers, or municipal parks departments in Suffolk County or the Town of Southampton. These resources would be the most likely place to find information about any organized activities related to Penny Pond or similar natural areas.

For inquiries about Penny Pond, such as its official status, maintenance, or any specific regulations, the relevant contact would typically be with the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation, or potentially the Town of Southampton Parks Department, as Hampton Bays is within Southampton. The contact information provided is a general Suffolk County Parks phone number.

Address: 24 Hildreth Rd S, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, USA

Phone: (631) 852-8839

Mobile Phone: +1 631-852-8839

It's advisable to call this number for general information about Suffolk County Parks, and they may be able to direct you to specific information about Penny Pond. For the most current information regarding access roads, conditions, or specific regulations, consulting the Suffolk County Parks official website or the Town of Southampton's natural areas resources would be highly recommended before your visit.

For New Yorkers seeking a genuine escape into nature, Penny Pond in Hampton Bays is an exceptionally suitable destination, provided they plan for its unique access requirements. Its quiet, secluded ambiance offers a stark contrast to the often-crowded trails closer to the city, making it an ideal spot for those who truly want to decompress and reconnect with the natural world. The "beautiful walk" and "nice scenery" promise a rewarding experience for hikers, bird watchers, and anyone simply looking for a peaceful stroll.

While the "mile of sand" on the access road might deter some, for adventurous locals with a suitable vehicle, this challenge contributes to the park's untouched charm, filtering out casual visitors and preserving its tranquility. It’s a place to find genuine solitude, observe local wildlife, and appreciate the less developed side of the Hamptons. Penny Pond is a perfect fit for New Yorkers who value authentic outdoor experiences, are willing to venture a bit further for peace and quiet, and appreciate a natural environment that encourages reflection and a deep appreciation for Long Island's diverse ecosystems. It's a reminder that true beauty often lies just a little off the beaten path.

Penny Pond

24 Hildreth Rd S, Hampton Bays, NY 11946, USA