Adventure’s Calling: This Long Island Beach Is Ideal for Beachcombing in New York

New York is essentially my second home, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of the city. I certainly haven't even come close to eating at all the places I want to in Manhattan, to say nothing of the other boroughs! But the city can get a little overwhelming, especially in the summer, and I'm always happy to find a more peaceful spot to spend the day. Long Island is full of beautiful parks and charming small towns, and it's only a convenient train ride away—and it just so happens to be home to a fantastic beachfront hike in New York that's perfect for a hot summer day.

Sunken Meadow Trail, located in Sunken Meadow State Park, is a moderate 4.2-mile trail known for its unique environmental changes and diversity of sights. It also leads you right up to the sandy banks of the Long Island Sound, where you'll find one of the state's best spots for exploring and picking up seashells. It's an ideal retreat for families when you want to get away from it all without taking a long trip.

Sunken Meadow Trail is a loop trail, but that doesn't quite do justice to this hidden gem hiding in one of New York's smaller state parks. This 4.2-mile trail weaves around Sunken Meadow State Park, taking you from the beach deep into some beautiful Long Island woods.

As you hike through the forest, you'll come across massive boulders and even a historic cemetery. The trees can get pretty thick in this area, so it's an amazing place to cool down on a hot summer day. The sights around this area are beautiful, and even many people in the area don't know this natural haven is waiting for them.

However, the main attraction of this state park is the beach, which borders the Long Island Sound. Easily accessed from the start point of the loop trail, the beach is covered with pristine sand and laps up right against the water, which means you're likely to find all sorts of surprises that made their way from the Atlantic to the Long Island Sound.

It's easy to spend a whole day in this state park, exploring and looking for unique seashells along the beach. You can even go fishing here; both saltwater fishing from the shoreline and freshwater fishing at lakes around the park are permitted. When you're spending a summer day here, it feels like a whole different world from the familiar excitement of the city.

Have you hiked the Sunken Meadow Trail before? If not, this beachfront hike in New York is awaiting, so tell a hiking buddy about this article and visit this underrated destination! You can see more photos of this trail on the official AllTrails trail listing. The trail can be pretty winding, so if you're new to hiking, we highly recommend a subscription to AllTrails+—this app-based hiking service makes it easy to keep your bearings as you hike, thanks to point-by-point directions and downloadable trail guides. And if you want another unique destination on Long Island, head over to Farmingdale—less than half an hour away by car and home to charming antique shops and retro amusement parks.