Natural Areas of the South Shore of Long Island

William Floyd Estate
(Mastic Beach)

The most easily visited, though least publicized unit of the National Park Service is the William Floyd Estate, administered by the Fire Island National Seashore. This property is the only part of Fire Island National Seashore that is located on the mainland of Long Island, as opposed to the barrier sand island on its south shore.

The centerpiece of this huge 613-acre property is the magnificent 25-room birthplace mansion of General William Floyd (1734 – 1821). He was one of four signers of the Declaration of Independence for New York State and a member of the Continental Congress. Built in 1729, the mansion is associated with 12 other historic buildings and a family graveyard. The site tells the 250-year story of eight generations of the Floyd Family from 1718 to 1976. Over time, the estate grounds were reduced from 4,400 acres to the current 613-acre tract donated by Floyd family members to the National Park Service in 1965.

A visit to the Floyd Estate enables one to weave rich human history with natural history. Many people who visit its buildings do not realize it possesses 8.5 miles of wooded trails. A marked trail system, of three interconnecting loop trails, offers hikers 2.6 miles of diverse coastal woodland habitats.

The trails take you through a variety of habitats, including woods and fields with views of Home Creek estuary. Fringing Moriches Bay at the mouth of the Forge River are saltmarshes and five freshwater ponds, filled with wildlife.

The Floyds once oversaw a plantation that stretched north to what is now Brookhaven National Labs. In the 1800s, the family’s interests turned to politics and business. In 1975, the family donated the property to the National Park Service.

Call (631) 399-2030 for information on guided tours and schedules of the historic structures. Free trail maps are available during winter months (when the museum is closed) at the estate parking lot on weekends. The buildings are open from May through October. The grounds and trails are open November through May, Friday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 5 pm.

How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 south. Travel 3.4 miles south on William Floyd Parkway. Turn left across William Floyd Parkway at Havenwood Drive and proceed to Neighborhood Road. Follow Neighborhood Road for two miles and turn left on Park Drive. The estate entrance will be 4 blocks on the right hand side.

Walk south of the historic buildings to the Blue Trail. Explore unmarked paths that head off to your left, and return to the main trail. At the end of the Blue Trail, continue straight on the Yellow Trail. It winds around and meets the Red Trail again. Turn left on the Red Trail. Total distance on the marked trails of this route is 2.25 miles.

Access Guide Introduction :: Map and Guide :: More Estuary Site Information
	William Floyd Estate (Mastic Beach) The most easily visited, though least publicized unit of the National Park Service is the William Floyd Estate, administered by the Fire Island National Seashore. This property is the only part of Fire Island National Seashore that is located on the mainland of Long Island, as opposed to the barrier sand island on its south shore. The centerpiece of this huge 613-acre property is the magnificent 25-room birthplace mansion of General William Floyd (1734 – 1821). He was one of four signers of the Declaration of Independence for New York State and a member of the Continental Congress. Built in 1729, the mansion is associated with 12 other historic buildings and a family graveyard. The site tells the 250-year story of eight generations of the Floyd Family from 1718 to 1976. Over time, the estate grounds were reduced from 4,400 acres to the current 613-acre tract donated by Floyd family members to the National Park Service in 1965. A visit to the Floyd Estate enables one to weave rich human history with natural history. Many people who visit its buildings do not realize it possesses 8.5 miles of wooded trails. A marked trail system, of three interconnecting loop trails, offers hikers 2.6 miles of diverse coastal woodland habitats. The trails take you through a variety of habitats, including woods and fields with views of Home Creek estuary. Fringing Moriches Bay at the mouth of the Forge River are saltmarshes and five freshwater ponds, filled with wildlife. The Floyds once oversaw a plantation that stretched north to what is now Brookhaven National Labs. In the 1800s, the family’s interests turned to politics and business. In 1975, the family donated the property to the National Park Service. Call (631) 399-2030 for information on guided tours and schedules of the historic structures. Free trail maps are available during winter months (when the museum is closed) at the estate parking lot on weekends. The buildings are open from May through October. The grounds and trails are open November through May, Friday through Sunday, 9:30 am to 5 pm. How to Get There: Take Sunrise Highway to exit 58 south. Travel 3.4 miles south on William Floyd Parkway. Turn left across William Floyd Parkway at Havenwood Drive and proceed to Neighborhood Road. Follow Neighborhood Road for two miles and turn left on Park Drive. The estate entrance will be 4 blocks on the right hand side. Walk south of the historic buildings to the Blue Trail. Explore unmarked paths that head off to your left, and return to the main trail. At the end of the Blue Trail, continue straight on the Yellow Trail. It winds around and meets the Red Trail again. Turn left on the Red Trail. Total distance on the marked trails of this route is 2.25 miles.