North Shore Rail Trail - Mt Sinai, NY
North Shore Rail Trail – Dog-Friendly Trail in Mt Sinai, New York
The North Shore Rail Trail in Mt Sinai, New York, is a scenic, flat, and newly paved stretch perfect for dog owners seeking a pet-friendly outdoor adventure. Stretching through picturesque landscapes lined with trees, bushes, and occasional glimpses of local wildlife, this well-maintained trail makes it easy to enjoy long walks or jogs with your four-legged friend. It is a great option for dog-friendly hiking trails in the Long Island area, especially for those looking for smooth pavement and accessibility.
While this is not a traditional fenced dog park, the North Shore Rail Trail is a fantastic pet-friendly spot to walk dogs on-leash. Ample parking is available at both the Mt. Sinai and Wading River trailheads. Owners will appreciate the trail’s cleanliness, maintenance, and the lively community environment. Please note there is limited shade, so bring water on hot days and plan accordingly for comfort.
FAQ – North Shore Rail Trail
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the North Shore Rail Trail itself is a biking and walking path perfect for leashed dogs and owners.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available at the Mt. Sinai end in a nearby shopping center and also at a small dirt lot on the Wading River end.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is limited along the trail, especially on hot and humid days.
- Is the trail paved? Yes, the trail offers brand new, super smooth pavement ideal for walking or biking with dogs.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the lawns are recently mowed and the trail surface is reported to be crack-free and smooth.
Reviews
Nice trail, especially for a biker. We walked on a hot, humid day, and there’s not a lot of shade or breeze.
Took a ride on the brand new North Shore Rail Trail. I parked on the Mt. Sinai end of the trail in a shopping center. There were a few spots that were reserved for the auto body shop, but there did not seem to be any restrictions on any other spaces. On the Wading River end of the trail there was a barren dirt area adjacent to the trail where 4-5 cars can park. The whole trail was flat with the exception of one incline that was significant enough to earn itself a warning sign. Pavement was brand new and super smooth so the ride was pleasant in that respect. There were many street crossings, especially on the west end of the trail. There seemed to be one every 1/4 mile. No records will be broken on this trail since you have to constantly stop to look for cars at each crossing. Some of the busier roads were equipped with a button to activate lights to alert motorists of crossing pedestrians/bikers.
The majority of the scenery was the same throughout: low trees, bushes and large power lines on either side of the trail. There were a few things that stood out including an old LIRR station building at Rocky Point that was recently renovated, the bridge passing over Woodville Rd, and some gardens from houses along the trail that extend beyond their fences. It was surprisingly a good path to spot wildlife. Groundhogs, deer, cats, wild turkeys and bunnies were seen.
The trail is a great addition to the network on LI. It’s not my favorite trail in the area, but I’m glad I got to see it.
Pretty good biking trail. I bike on there on my folding bike here and there (55 miles in total for my small route). I have good experience biking on LI, in NYC and near NYC. My principal and main concern is security, i don’t feel safe on many of the intersections. I see cars accelerating way too often, even when I already started to bike on the crossing. Be extremely careful and take more time than usual at the crossings. More could be done for sure, but hey, LI is not really known for safe bike routes, so it will take time to educate drivers and others.
Great trail. Got railed the whole time!
I personally enjoy the trail a ton. Wish there were a few signs directing walkers to how far they are from XYZ shop or park or something. Would be helpful to know how far one is from a place to get lunch or duck out from the rain. Otherwise, the trail is great. No cracks in the pavement, and the lawns have been recently mowed.