We visited the former estate turned state park in Smithtown known as Caleb Smith State Park and now home to the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve Nature Museum. It is, also, another park that is part of the Greenbelt Trail. It is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 8am to 4pm.

This preserve is one of four on Long Island and consists of 543 acres of escape from the crazy everyday monotony and stress that seems inevitable in today’s time of phones and notifications.

The park contains a museum that describes a bit of the history of the estate as well as containing information about the plants and animals that inhabit the estate and the rest of the island; for example the red fox or white tailed deer. The museum is inside what was once the home of the estate and if one walks around the perimeter of the museum, other buildings of the time can be observed as well.

Just southwest of the museum is Willow Pond where one can observe wildlife such as birds as well as being a spot for those under 15 to fish from spring to fall. The adults can fly fish during this time in the Nissequogue River; with the appropriate permits of course.

Now, as for the trails, the park contains both hiking and cross country skiing trails. The trails are well labelled and there are many different trails to choose from depending on the length and difficulty you prefer. There are green, blue, yellow, orange trails as well as one called the red trail. And let us not forget the white marked trail that takes you along the Greenbelt.

For us, we enjoyed mixing a few of the trails to get the most of the park we could. We took the blue and the green to the orange and white trails. Then followed along the fence line of the park, that may or may not have been a real trail (improv), to the yellow trail. Continuing along this trail led us along some new path recently cleared out and all leading to the Red Trail. We are not sure if the reason, but many trees along the path have recently been fallen and we believe it could be based around safety concerns with some being old and the recent high winds in the area. Proactivity is important. And though we hate to see the trees cut down, the aroma of fresh cut wood in the air is intoxicating.

At the east end of the park near the school educational classes (not open to the public), is where we encountered a family of deer including at least one doe and her two fawns. Then, continuing passed that area further west on the Red Trail, there is a section of wooden walkway over gently running water that is a personal favorite.

This is truly a peaceful place to do some hiking on well maintained and wide paths. The terrain is extremely easy to navigate for families. Also, it’s history as an estate with buildings still in use and intact give it a history that separates it from many of the other parks.

If you’re looking for a place to get away for a few hours and immerse yourself in the outdoors and the history of the past, this is a place that should be on your list.

Now, get out there and adventure!

-Chris & Ola