Great Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding and Jogging at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve on Long Island, New York

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is a state park on Lloyd Neck, a peninsula in the Long Island Sound, in the Village of Lloyd Harbor, New York. It is operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Caumsett offers miles of paths for horseback riding, 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 1,750 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. The Marshall Field III Main House hosts the OceansWide Education and Research organization.

Caumsett is a 1,520-acre, 5.2 mile loop trail used for hiking, walking, running and biking. The trail guide will take you on a 4-mile journey through Caumsett’s woodlands, open meadows, freshwater pond and, ultimately, to Long Island Sound. This will take about 2 hours. You will look into the past and read how some of America’s wealthiest people lived and played on what was once called “The Gold Coast.” The path is mainly flat, except for the section to the Long Island Sound which is steep in sections. There are many benches along with way to rest and be one with nature.

We walked along the main drive which is paved with lots of bikers and joggers. We wanted to go into a more wooded path so we took a left off the path to head to the fishermen’s parking. Once past the fishermen’s parking we continued to walk the path with the beach to the right and the saltwater marsh on the left. The walk there and back took about 2 hours.