Review: Hither Hills State Park

Let’s start big picture.
Hither Hills is a network of trails that stretches across the narrow Montauk peninsula from the Long Island Sound to the Atlantic. Parts of it are heavily forested, best for mountain bikers or trail runners looking to get their miles in; the rest are open sand dunes that stretch onto a skinny, quiet beach on the sound, perfect for an adventurous walk or a picnic.

Any standout features or must-sees?
The Walking Dunes trail is the most dramatic part, with huge sandy bowls that make it feel like you're in Arizona instead of the Hamptons.

Was it easy to get around?
The trails near the beach and the walking dunes are well-marked, and it's a pretty open area, so you won't get lost. The trails are sandy and a few of the hills are pretty steep though.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
It's a big, freely accessible, relatively quiet open space—which, in the Hamptons, is a sort of rare thing. Most of the beaches require special parking permits, and those that don't are super crowded. It's a respite from the rest of the Hamptons and a cool, totally unspoiled landscape to explore.