Last updated: June 5, 2021
Thing to Do
Go Birdwatching at Sagamore Hill
NPS/Tyler Kuliberda
In his autobiography, Theodore Roosevelt wrote with love about the birds at Sagamore Hill: "Many birds dwell in the trees round the house or in the pastures and the woods near by, and of course in winter gulls, loons, and wild fowl frequent the waters of the bay and the Sound." Theodore Roosevelt had a life-long interest in birds. He wrote dozens of books, but his first published work was an 1870's monograph about the birds of Franklin County in upstate New York. Shortly after, he penned a short monograph of the birds in Oyster Bay.
He would later build his home, Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay. TR loved to walk the grounds and admire the many species of birds that frequent this corner of Long Island.
Bring your binoculars to Sagamore Hill and follow in Theodore Roosevelt's footsteps. A hike through our forest (along our Nature Trail) will bring you to Eel Creek Bridge, our salt marsh, and the beach at Cold Spring Harbor, and provide a glimpse into why Colonel Roosevelt loved the birding opportunities in Cove Neck. He would be proud to know his home is still a destination for enthusiastic birders.
He would later build his home, Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay. TR loved to walk the grounds and admire the many species of birds that frequent this corner of Long Island.
Bring your binoculars to Sagamore Hill and follow in Theodore Roosevelt's footsteps. A hike through our forest (along our Nature Trail) will bring you to Eel Creek Bridge, our salt marsh, and the beach at Cold Spring Harbor, and provide a glimpse into why Colonel Roosevelt loved the birding opportunities in Cove Neck. He would be proud to know his home is still a destination for enthusiastic birders.
Details
Duration
10-180 Minutes
Any time of day is a great time for birdwatching at Sagamore Hill.
Activity
Birdwatching
Wander the grounds of Sagamore Hill and see how many species of birds you can catch a glimpse of. We have over 100 at Sagamore Hill, though some only visit for a season at a time. Whether walking around Theodore Roosevelt's Oyster Bay home, crossing our open meadow, hiking through the forest, or crossing Eel Creek Bridge to view the Salt Marsh and Cold Spring Harbor, you're sure to see quite a few birds.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Dogs are allowed at Sagamore Hill, but please ensure they stay on a 6-foot leash throughout your visit.
Activity Fee
No
Our grounds are open and fee-free year-round, from sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
Location
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day, Dawn, Dusk
We would love to see you visit during the day. Our park grounds are closed to the public from 30 minutes after sunset until sunrise.
Accessibility Information
While many of the walkways around Sagamore Hill are paved and accessible, our Nature Trail is not.
The trail is 0.7 miles loop trail that is about eight feet wide and has some steep grades. The trail surface is packed dirt in the woodland section, a boardwalk over the marsh, and loose sand and pebbles on the beach section.
The trail is 0.7 miles loop trail that is about eight feet wide and has some steep grades. The trail surface is packed dirt in the woodland section, a boardwalk over the marsh, and loose sand and pebbles on the beach section.