Sears Bellows Owls Loop

Starting from the main trailhead at Sears Bellows County Park near Bellows Pond Road, this route follows a well-marked network of forest trails through Long Island’s central pine barrens. Begin on the Blue Owl Trail, heading north through a dense mix of oak and pitch pine. At trail junctions bear left to stay on the Blue Owl Trail and continue across several gently undulating sections of sandy singletrack. Around the halfway point, turn onto the Black Owl Trail to begin the northern portion of the loop, where the forest becomes slightly denser and quieter. Along the way, keep an eye out for woodpeckers and barred owls in the canopy, especially in early morning or dusk hours. Occasional glimpses of Bellows Pond appear near the eastern edge of the loop, offering scenic rest stops beneath the trees. The terrain remains mostly flat, with minor elevation changes and sandy patches that can get muddy in early spring. The route ends back at the trailhead, making it ideal for a short, peaceful outing. This is a good option for novice hikers or those looking for year-round day hikes near Hampton Bays.