Ridge, New York is located in the Central Pine Barrens of Suffolk County, Long Island (west of LI Forks). Due to the abundance of woodlands in the area, Ridge is a center of outdoor recreation and is the site of numerous hiking, equestrian, and nature trails. Ridge is located only a few miles from the picturesque beaches of Long Island's North Shore and the extensive surf-washed beaches of the South Shore.

The Peconic River, Long Island's largest body of flowing fresh water, has its source in Ridge, in a maple swamp west of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Ridge also occupies a very important geographic position with relation to Long Island's aquifer system. Within the boundaries of Ridge lies a triple point, where three groundwater divides meet. These divides represent the boundaries of the three watersheds that supply fresh water to Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the South Shore. Because Ridge straddles this system of groundwater divides, precipitation that falls within its boundaries is important in recharging Long Island's deep aquifers. Ridge and other areas that play a similar role in the groundwater system are designated as deep flow recharge areas.

The area in and around Ridge is an important center of scientific research. Scientific facilities and organizations in our area include the offices of the American Physical Society and Brookhaven National Laboratory.