Daniel R. Davis Sanctuary

This short, easy route begins at the gated parking area on the west side of Mt. Sinai‑Coram Road, entering the Daniel R. Davis Sanctuary. The path forms a gentle circuit through classic Long Island pine barrens, winding through dry, sandy terrain dominated by pitch pines, scrub oaks, and heath-family undergrowth. Shortly after starting, hikers will pass under a low canopy where signs of past wildfire are visible in the charred tree bark — a natural part of the ecosystem’s renewal cycle. The trail remains mostly level and well-defined, with occasional patches of lichen-covered ground and views of the unique, glacially formed landscape. Although unsigned, the route is easy to follow as it loops through the sanctuary and returns to the same trailhead. Visitors may spot deer, wild turkeys, and birds adapted to this dry woodland. This peaceful route offers a quiet escape and an educational glimpse into one of New York’s rarest forest types.