Wantagh Nature Trail
Distance: 3.8 miles (loop trail) Elevation Gain: 2-4 ft Hike Time: 2 hours Difficulty: Easy Trail Condition: Earth Hike Type: Loop
How to Get There: Take Wantagh Parkway to exit W6W. Follow Merrick Road west approximately 1 mile, park is on the right. On-street parking only.
General Description: The Wantagh Nature Trail circumnavigates three ponds, linking Nassau County’s Mill Pond Park with the Town of Hempstead’s Twin Lakes Preserve. Revitalization of the trail was an Eagle Scout project from Troop 189.
Mill Pond Park is a 54-acre natural area with a 15-acre pond frequented by large numbers of native waterfowl and nature trails that wind through a wet woodland dominated by red maple, coast pepperbush and skunk cabbage Previously called Jones Pond, Wantagh Mill Pond is a popular fishing spot; naturally reproducing species include Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Carp, Brown Bullhead, American Eel and Black Bullhead.
Twin Ponds Preserve is a 58-acre preserve features fresh water ponds and extensive sections of wet woodlands. 1.8 miles of the trail loops the ponds.
Lower Twin Pond (south of Park Avenue) covers 10 acres with a maximum depth of approximately 5 feet - naturally reproducing species include Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Carp, Brown Bullhead, and American Eel. Lower Twin Pond is the best pickerel lake in Nassau County. The patient angler will have a chance at pickerel over 24 inches. There is also a plentiful sunfish population to keep the action up if the pickerel are not biting. There are a few nice bass in the pond, but the density is low by Nassau County standards. There are a few large carp to make things interesting.
Upper Twin Pond (north of Park Avenue) covers 20 acres with a maximum depth of approximately 17 feet - naturally reproducing species include Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Black Crappie, Carp, Brown Bullhead, American Eel - stocked species include Brown and rainbow trout stocked in the spring and fall. Upper Twin Pond is the second most fished water in Nassau County. It gets a barrage of anglers during the spring and fall due to the trout stockings. Click here to download a map of Upper Twin Pond.