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State Land

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest

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Map of Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest is an 813-acre property. There are more than 23.5 miles of trails and paved/unpaved roads that allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the property.

This land was originally part of a much larger property acquired by the State of New York in the 1930s for the construction of psychiatric hospital facilities. In 1983, the Office of Mental Health (OMH) transferred 631 surplus acres to DEC, and in 1987 that land was dedicated to the State Nature and Historic Preserve. In the mid 1990s, DEC purchased an adjoining 100 acres, and in 1999 OMH transferred another 81 acres to DEC.

Today, Edgewood is dominated by pitch pine-scrub oak barrens, a rarely occurring community characterized by dense shrub thickets, compared to more tree dominated pine barrens communities that occur across Long Island. These unique barrens occur in only three places on Long Island, six in the State, and are considered a globally rare habitat. The barrens are interspersed with stands of bigtooth aspen as well as grasslands that have emerged on formerly developed portions of the property.

A free 3-year Managed Land Access Permit is also required for using this property. Visit DEC's nForm page if you need information on how to obtain a NY.gov account, which is required for these permits.

Users must observe regulations for use of DEC-managed lands in Suffolk County.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Edgewood Blue Hiking Trail is a 2.7-mile loop that offers an easy walk through the pine barren forest. Hiking is also allowed on all paved and unpaved roads on the property. The bike trails may also be hiked on but please be aware of the cyclists using the trails.

General information on biking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are approximately 12.3 miles of bike-specific trails that are maintained by C.L.I.M.B. through a volunteer stewardship agreement. They describe the trails as, "Beginner, intermediate and advanced trails with lots of single track. For the 5.5-mile beginner loop, follow the white disc mountain bike trail markers. There are also 6.8 miles of additional advanced loops that use yellow markers to indicate more difficult trails, blue markers that indicate most difficult trails and red markers indicate advanced skill level trails (as rated by C.L.I.M.B.). The old paved road is perfect for families with small kids to explore or just an easy spin." The trails traverse a generally flat, pine-barren forest with spacious fields. The riding provides the novice with a good lesson in basic handling of the bike and offers the average rider some fast-paced doubletrack.

Mountain biking is allowed year-round at the Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest.

Additional Rules for Bicyclists

  • Bicycling is permitted on Rocky Point Pine Barrens State Forest, Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest , Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest, Eastport Pine Barrens State Forest and Calverton Pine Barrens State Forest.
  • Bicycling is allowed only on marked bicycling trails, except on the Otis Pike Pine Barrens State Forest where only established roads may be used.
  • Cyclists must wear hard-shell helmets and eye protection and shall yield to official vehicles and equipment, horseback riders and hikers.
  • Bicycling is permitted on Rocky Point from April 1 through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 through October 31.
  • Bicycling is permitted on Otis Pike April 1 through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 through October 31 except on the Eastport section where it is permitted April 1 through April 30; May 1 through May 31, after noon only; and June 1 through December 31, or as otherwise posted.
  • Trails at these four properties may remain closed until as late as April 1, or as posted, due to excessive impacts from the late winter freeze and thaw cycles.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

The preserve is home to rich populations of many common animal species, including several types of warblers, red-tailed hawks, eastern cottontail, red fox and hognose snakes. Interestingly, there are no resident deer at the Preserve. Several species of rare invertebrates are present, too, including the coastal barrens buckmoth.

Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest is a site on the New York State Birding Trail https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/birding/new-york-state-birding-trail. For more information about birding in New York, please also visit Birding.

Directions

Take I-495 (Long Island Expressway) to exit 52, then south on CR 4/Commack Road and continue 2 ¼ miles to the main parking lot on the left.

  • Parking area off Commack Road (40.776735°N, 73.310192°W) Google Maps 

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Edgewood Oak Brush Plains State Forest must follow all DEC Suffolk County Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Specific Rules

Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are allowed within the property but there are no designated trails or maintained areas for these activities.

A model airplane flying field that existed at the time the land was transferred to the Department is still operating and is maintained by the Edgewood Flyers through a volunteer stewardship agreement.

Planning and Management

DEC is developing a unit management plan (UMP) which will describe the management activities for these lands. In addition to management objectives, the UMP will contain detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us [email protected].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Gas may be found in the nearby communities of Commack and Deer Park
  • Food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Commack and Deer Park
  • Dining opportunities can be found in the nearby communities of Commack and Deer Park
  • Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Commack and Deer Park.

Discover Long Island, and the ILOVENY page can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

Important Links

Regulations for Use of DEC Managed Lands in Suffolk County
NYSDEC nForm Portal
Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Contact for this Page

DLF, Region 1
50 Circle Rd
Stony Brook, NY 11790

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