Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown, NY

By Linda Tagliaferro, About.com Guide

On land that once belonged to the Montauketts, Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown, NY sprawls across 550 acres of a Nissequogue River watershed, with its springs, ponds and tributaries. There's a network of marked trails through the upland woods, and the preserve is a pristine refuge for a variety of wildlife.

The park includes a FREE nature museum within the main building. In season, there's fly fishing for adults on the Nissequogue River and kids can try their luck in at the preserve's Willow Pond. During the fall, the park 's trees show their vibrant red, orange and yellow leaves, and in the winter months, visitors can snowshoe or cross country ski on the trails.

There's plenty of birdwatching for enthusiasts, photo opportunities in every month of the year, and kids can enjoy environmental education programs (registration required) year round. The cost is just $3 per child and $4 per adult. Call (631) 265-1054 for more information.