Enclosed in a semicircle of wooded hills nearly 200 feet high, the marsh at Wading River lies like an emerald along an otherwise unbroken coast of high bluffs on Long Island’s north shore.

Although there are many salt marshes on the Island’s southern shore, they are rare along the 53-mile expanse between Port Jefferson and Orient Point. The preserve is a wonderful place to explore the world of the salt marsh, where plants and animals must be able to survive in the extremes presented by tide, salt and sun.

What to See

Although at first glance they may appear flat and even monotonous, salt marshes are some of the most productive places on the planet—an acre of these coastal wetlands far surpasses the productivity of an acre of agricultural land.

Look closely and you’ll discover an array of color and form. Most of Wading River Marsh is “high marsh” with meadows of salt hay and spike grass, as well as a stunted form of salt marsh cordgrass. While the latter species is more common in younger marshes that are more subject to daily tidal flooding, the abundance of whorled, matted salt hay here is evidence that this is an older marsh. Areas covered by the pale green spike grass tend to be wetter and more saline.

Saltier still are the oval patches with vegetation that differs from the grasses. These are “salt pans,” colonized by glasswort and other plants that are able to survive in the extremely saline soil. In autumn, glasswort lights up the marsh as it turns bright red.

In addition to shellfish, crabs, snails, fish, and small mammals, you may see a clapper rail capturing a fiddler crab before it can reach the safety of its burrow, or an osprey diving to catch large fish. In fact, the marsh is a great place to watch birds year round, especially shorebirds and waterfowl. One hundred different bird species have been spotted in the preserve.

What to Do

In addition to being ideal for birdwatching, Wading River Marsh is a peaceful place to hike and explore the fascinating salt marsh community.

Two marked trails offer close-up views of this remarkable wetland. The west trail passes through a coniferous forest often filled with the chatter of chickadees and titmice, and skirts a brackish pond. The pond’s secluded waters, as well as the marsh as a whole, provide an important refuge for migrating waterfowl.

The north trail loops around and through a mostly hardwood forest and affords panoramic views of the greater marsh complex.

Planning Your Visit

Trails at the preserve are open for hiking and observing nature from dawn to dusk.

Please prepare for your visit by reading our guidelines and downloading a trail map (.pdf).

Directions

• From the Long Island Expressway, take Exit 68 (William Floyd Parkway) north to the end, Route 25A.
• Head east on Route 25A for 0.75 mile to Randall Road.
• Turn left on Randall Road and continue to the end, North Country Road.
• Turn right on North Country Road and proceed a short distance to a stop sign at the center of Wading River Village.
• Turn left onto Sound Road and continue for 0.3 mile.
• Turn left onto the private drive.
• Ahead 0.1 mile is the preserve parking lot on the right. 

• Select another preserve >>
• Back to the Long Island homepage >>

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © TNC (Wading River Marsh); Photo © Doug Greenberg/Creative Commons (clapper rail), Photo © Brian Gratwicke/Creative Commons (fiddler crab).