What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 7am - 7pm Wednesday 7am - 7pm Thursday 7am - 7pm Friday 7am - 7pm Saturday 7am - 7pm Sunday 7am - 7pm

Avalon Nature Preserve

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United States
Stony Brook, NY
Avalon Nature Preserve

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Preserve entrance is located across from the Stony Brook Grist Mill on Harbor Road. We therefore ask your cooperation in observing our policies.

We are working to maintain and, where appropriate, restore the natural elements of the park and preserve. We hope you will join us in taking the long view toward protecting Avalon's ecological communities in perpetuity. Kindly keep your dog leashed, walk your bicycle through the park portion, and carry out everything you bring in with you, leaving plants and animals alone so they may live their natural lives. For the health and welfare of wildlife, we do not supplement their food supplies; we ask you to respect this practice and refrain from feeding the ducks or any other animals in the park or preserve. Between dawn and dusk you may enjoy the gifts of nature you find here. Please keep in mind our desire to provide all visitors a safe, peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

11/03/2026

JOIN US WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR AN OBSERVATION SESSION!

🗓️WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
📌WHERE: Avalon Barn at 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James, NY 11780 (enter this address into your GPS)

**Access is only available from 25A/North Country due to the Harbor Road closure**
🎟️COST: FREE!

The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve will host a live observing session (weather permitting).

Join us for an evening of stargazing as we bid adieu to the departing summer sky and highlight the magnificent constellation Cygnus, the swan. Floating high along the backbone of the Milky Way, Cygnus offers the perfect bridge between seasons. We will explore the rich mythology of this cosmic avian traveler and observe some of the spectacular deep-space treasures hidden within its wings and surrounding constellations.

In addition to deep-sky wonders, we will also turn our telescopes towards the gas-giant Saturn and its iconic ring system.

During your visit, be sure to participate in the Dob Project. This hands-on experience allows you to operate our user-friendly Dobsonian telescopes and learn how to navigate the night sky independently.

We look forward to seeing you there.🪐💫🌙

🚗Parking will be permitted in the Avalon Barn parking lot on Shep Jones Lane.
🧥Please remember to dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event.
🚫There are no public restrooms at Avalon.
👁️Eyepieces are disinfected before and after the program.
🙌Suitable for all ages.
👫Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
✨Event is weather permitting✨

10/31/2026

Trick or Treat, Smell our PAWS - JK they smell like Fritos!
Happy Halloween from all of us at Avalon. 🎃🦇

10/16/2026

JOIN US SUNDAY FOR AN OBSERVATION SESSION!

🗓️WHEN: Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
📌WHERE: Avalon Barn at 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James, NY 11780 (enter this address into your GPS)

**Access is only available from 25A/North Country due to the Harbor Road closure**
🎟️COST: FREE!

The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve will host a live observing session on Sunday (weather permitting).

Join us on an observing journey that begins in our cosmic backyard and scales the cosmic distance ladder. Using our telescopes we will leap from the Moon and "nearby"Saturn to distant stars, glowing nebulae, and island universes billions of light-years away. With each successive rung of the ladder, we will discover the clever yardstick astronomers use to measure the mind-boggling scale of the cosmos.

We look forward to seeing you there.🪐💫🌙

🚗Parking will be permitted in the Avalon Barn parking lot on Shep Jones Lane.
🧥Please remember to dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event.
🚫There are no public restrooms at Avalon.
👁️Eyepieces are disinfected before and after the program.
🙌Suitable for all ages.
👫Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
✨Event is weather permitting✨

10/15/2026

✨Update as of Oct 16 @ 8:00AM - Registration is now full! Should spots become available, we will fill them by honoring the waitlisted guests in the order in which they were received. ✨

🎃 REGISTRATION IS OPEN! 🎃

Join us for our second annual Jack O’ Lantern Walk through the fields surrounding the Avalon Barn. This family-friendly event is open to all ages.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.🎃

📅 Friday, October 30
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Avalon Barn - 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James, NY
🚗 $20 per car
✨Event is rain or shine; no refunds

Register here: https://shop.avalonnaturepreserve.org/products/2026-jack-o-lantern-walk

You must present your confirmation email either digitally or printed, upon arrival to receive entry during your registered timeslot.

Spots are limited. Timeslots will be strictly enforced. Arriving early will hinder the flow and management of traffic/parking and you will be asked to circle back around.

Avalon Rangers will be onsite to help manage and direct parking.

Event sold out? Join our waitlist: https://forms.gle/dNcVxhPWUMcGSjbR7

10/14/2026

🐾 Dogs of Avalon: Meet Willow! 🐾

Willow loves exploring Avalon Nature Preserve, but her favorite part of a visit is keeping an eye out for all the wildlife. 🐿️🌿

And if she spots a chipmunk? That’s the best day ever! 😂

A big thank you to her owner, Sam, for sharing this sweet girl with us! 💚

Want to see your pup featured in our Dogs of Avalon series? Tag us in your photos, send us a DM, and tell us what your dog loves most about Avalon!

📸 Don’t forget to use

10/07/2026

🐾 Dogs of Avalon is back! 🐾

Meet Sophie, the Australian Shepherd! 💕 Thank you to her owner, Lou Celenza for sharing this cutie enjoying Avalon Nature Preserve with us!

We’d love your help bringing our Dogs of Avalon series back to life! 📸🐶

Share a photo of your dog at Avalon and tell us what they love most about the Preserve. Do they have a favorite spot? A favorite trail? Maybe even a favorite Ranger? 🐕🌿

DM us your photos or use so we can share your four-legged Avalon friends!

We can’t wait to see them! 🐾

10/05/2026

🎃 Want to help us carve a pumpkin for the 2026 Jack O' Lantern Walk? 🎃

We’re looking for some creative volunteers to carve pumpkins that will be featured along the Jack O' Lantern Walk at Avalon Nature Preserve!

We provide the pumpkins — you provide the creativity! 🧡

🎃 Pumpkin Pickup:
Saturday, October 24
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Avalon Barn
60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James

🎃 Pumpkin Drop-Off:
Thursday, October 29
3:00–7:00 PM
Avalon Barn — please give your completed pumpkin to Kayla.

If you’d like to participate, please fill out the form below so we know how many pumpkins to set aside:

👉 https://forms.gle/Hqhr5swtFjPpCQPv7

We can’t wait to see what you come up with! 🎃🍂

10/02/2026

JOIN US TUESDAY FOR AN OBSERVATION SESSION!

🗓️WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
📌WHERE: Avalon Barn at 60 Shep Jones Lane, St. James, NY 11780 (enter this address into your GPS)

**Access is only available from 25A/North Country due to the Harbor Road closure**
🎟️COST: FREE!

The Princess, the Hero, and the Winged Horse.

The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve will be hosting a live observing session Tuesday night!

Come explore the autumn night sky and the constellations Perseus, Andromeda, and Pegasus. You will learn how to spot these iconic constellations, uncover the epic mythology that connects them, and observe the distant nebulae, star clusters and galaxies found within.

As a special highlight, we will also share dramatic views of Saturn, the jewel of our solar system. Come see its breathtaking ring system and moons through our telescopes.

We look forward to seeing you there.🪐💫🌙

🚗Parking will be permitted in the Avalon Barn parking lot on Shep Jones Lane.
🧥Please remember to dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event.
🚫There are no public restrooms at Avalon.
👁️Eyepieces are disinfected before and after the program.
🙌Suitable for all ages.
👫Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
✨Event is weather permitting✨

10/01/2026

🎃 SAVE THE DATE! 🎃

Avalon Nature Preserve's Jack O’ Lantern Walk is returning!

Join us on Friday, October 30th from 5:30–8:00 PM at the Avalon Barn for an evening of jack o’ lanterns, fall fun, and a little Halloween magic.

📅 Friday, October 30
⏰ 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Avalon Barn
🚗 $20 per car
✨Event is rain or shine

🎟️ Registration opens Thursday, October 15th at 3:00 PM.

Timeslots are limited and will be strictly enforced on the day of the event. Be sure to register early to reserve your preferred time! 🎃

09/29/2026

UPDATE AS OF 10/26/26: The grounds around Cartas will reopen on Tuesday, October 27. Thank you for your patience.

UPDATE AS OF 10/19/26: We're extending this closure for at least one more week. We appreciate your understanding and will provide another update when we reopen this area of the preserve. Thank you!

🌿 Friends,

⚠️ Please note that the area surrounding the Cartas Al Cielo Sculpture on the Hilltop Meadow Trail will be closed for reseeding beginning Wednesday, September 30, 2026, for approximately three weeks. ⚠️

We’ll share an update as soon as a reopening date is confirmed.

Thank you,
Avalon Nature Preserve

Address

Stony Brook, NY
11790

Opening Hours

Tuesday	7am - 7pm
Wednesday	7am - 7pm
Thursday	7am - 7pm
Friday	7am - 7pm
Saturday	7am - 7pm
Sunday	7am - 7pm

Telephone

+16316890619

Website

http://www.avalonnaturepreserve.org/

Alerts

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