Long Island Central Pine Barrens Trail

The Central Pine Barrens preserve some of Long Island’s wildest country, where sandy fire roads wind through dwarf pitch pine forests that have survived since the last ice age. This network of interconnected trails follows old military roads from Camp Upton and fire service routes that snake between kettle hole ponds and cranberry bogs, passing the concrete ruins of Nike missile sites and abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps camps. The infamous “Sand Trap” section near Swan Lake can bury a rig to the frame rails in minutes, and the maze of unmarked intersections has been confusing drivers since the Model T era.

Easy to moderate terrain perfect for stock high-clearance vehicles, though the deep sand sections will test your momentum and tire pressure skills. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, with winter providing surprisingly good traction when the sand freezes. No permits required for the fire roads, and primitive camping is allowed in designated areas. You’ll discover Long Island’s hidden wild side and understand why the Algonquian peoples called this the “land of trembling earth.”