Summer Calendar Suffolk County
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound, offers miles of bridle paths, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. The park has beautiful gardens, excellent fishing and scuba diving by permit.
In 1921 Marshall Field III purchased 1750 acres of Lloyd Neck to create one large estate. He named the land after its Matinecock Indian name, Caumsett, which means "place by a sharp rock." Field created a self-sufficient English-style estate as a combination country club, hunting preserve, and home, complete with its own water and electrical supply. When the estate was finished, it had facilities for every sport except golf.
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve was acquired by New York State in 1961. The park is diverse; fishing, hiking, bird watching, nature photography, and nature study are among the many activities visitors may pursue. The polo pony barn provides lessons, boarding & equestrian services as part of the Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center. The Masters Garage houses the Nassau BOCES Outdoor and Environmental Education Program.The historic Henry Lloyd Manor house built in 1711 is leased to the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society. The Historical Society provides historic interpretation of life during the colonial period.
For information on educational opportunities & programs in Long Island State Parks, please visit Long Island Environmental Interpretive Center.
Please note: As of April 1st Fishermans Road and Parking area will be open to Annual Permit holders only. One Day- 24Hr Caumsett Dashboard Fishing Permits are available for purchase. Valid Driver's License, Vehicle Registration and proof of enrollment of the DEC Saltwater Fishing Registry are required at time of purchase. No Exceptions.
Photography and Other Permits
*Photography Permits are required in advance of arrival for any commercial photography, this includes:
Permits can be obtained in advance through the NYS Regional Permit office at 631-321-3515
Park use applications and fees can be sent to:
NY State Parks Permit Office P.O. Box 247 Babylon, NY 11702
*Visitors, please note: Metal detecting at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is prohibited.
Pet Policy: No pets allowed.
All commercial photography requires a permit, including wedding, family, engagment photos. Please contact the Long Island Regional Permits Office for assistance: 631-321-3515.
All Horses must be current on all vaccinations and be able to show proof upon request. All equestrian riders must wear helmets.
Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.
The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.
New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.
Key BCA Criteria:
- Migratory concentration site
- Diverse species concentration site
- Individual species concentration site
- Species at risk site
The Caumsett BCA is within Caumsett State Historic Park. Caumsett is part of NY Audubon's Huntington and Northport Bays' Important Bird Area. It is on Lloyd Neck, a peninsula on the north shore of Long Island jutting out into Long Island Sound. The Caumsett BCA is special because it has a variety of habitats that attract many different species of birds. About two-thirds of the Caumsett BCA is forest, predominately oak-tulip tree forest. Other habitats include successional old field, low salt marsh, marine eelgrass meadow, maritime beach, successional shrub land and salt shrub. The Caumsett BCA is also an important stopover for migratory songbirds that fly over Long Island Sound. Caumsett offers a variety of education and recreation programs including fishing, hiking, birding, nature photography, nature study and guided tours.
The site supports a high diversity of migratory birds, especially forest dwelling Neotropical migrants. Breeding birds include several species listed in New York as endangered, threatened or of special concern: Osprey (special concern), Piping Plover (state endangered and federal threatened), Common Tern (state threatened) and Least Tern (state threatened). Other state-listed species observed at Caumsett include Common Loon (special concern), Bald Eagle (state and federal threatened), Northern Harrier (threatened), Sharp-shinned Hawk (special concern), Cooper's Hawk (special concern), Northern Goshawk (special concern), Red-shouldered Hawk (special concern), Golden Eagle (endangered), Peregrine Falcon (endangered), Short-eared Owl (endangered), Whip-poor-will (special concern), Red-headed Woodpecker (special concern), Vesper Sparrow (special concern) and Grasshopper Sparrow (special concern). Piping Plovers have nested at Lloyd Point since at least 1988 with up to 13 nesting pairs. Least Terns have nested nearly every year since at least 1977 with up to 100 pairs breeding at the Point. Common Terns first nested in 1998. Protection and management of nestlings and fledglings of these species at risk is done by State Parks. All three of these species are surveyed annually as part of the Long Island Colonial Waterbird and Piping Plover Survey.
Download a copy of the BCA map.
Go birding with the Caumsett Bird Checklist.