Take a Hike at Prosser Pines Nature Preserve, The Only White Pine Forest In Long Island

In 1812 William Dayton planted the first white pine seedlings on his farm in Middle Island. In 1889 the farm was sold to George Prosser who continued to care for the Pine Plantation. Over the years the trees grew up to 100 ft and covered 15 acres. It became the only white pine forest on Long Island. Suffolk County purchased the land in 1967, and dedicated the property as the Prosser Pines Nature Preserve for the public to enjoy.

Today Prosser Pines is a unique and rare forest and is one of the oldest surviving White Pine Plantations to exist in the eastern United States. Prosser Pines Loop Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is for hiking and trail running and is accessible year-round. Dogs on leashes are welcome on this trail.

Prosser Pines can be found at 67 Yaphank Middle Island Rd, Middle Island. There is a small parking lot marked off the road. One garbage can is available and a small map of the preserve. There are no restrooms. The trail is a circular loop with many trails in between. The preserve backs up to a sod farm which we enjoyed playing catch on.

We found these awesome lean-to structures in the center of the circular trail. Some of them you can walk through and some you can walk into. I might have been more excited than my kids but in the end everyone enjoyed them.