Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1886 until his death in 1919. During his presidency, from 1902 to 1908, this was the "Summer White House" and a focus of national attention. Otherwise, it was the home of a most remarkable fellow.

Theodore Roosevelt, a family-centered father of six, ended his workday at 4 PM so he could play with his children. He was the first American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Often a man of contradiction, he was a diplomat, internationalist, naval historian and strategist, a combat commander, colonel of a volunteer cavalry regiment, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. As a noted historian, biographer, essayist, editor, columnist, and critic, he wrote 36 books.

As a renowned ornithologist, hunter of and expert about big-game animals, he was a pioneering American conservationist. He was a country squire, horseman, socialite and patron of the arts. He reformed the federal civil service and New York City police department, lost a race for New York City mayor, finished second in a 1912 third party bid for president, arrested outlaws as a North Dakota deputy sheriff and served as Governor of New York and Vice-President of the United States.

Today, Sagamore Hill is furnished as it was during his busy lifetime.

The Roosevelt home is open for tours Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday. Click on "Travel Basics" above or "In Depth" to the right for more information.

20 Sagamore Hill Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771-1809
516-922-4447 - Visitor Information
516-922-4788 - Park offices

By Plane
Long Island is served by three airports: Kennedy International (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA) in New York City or MacArthur (ISD) at Islip, New York. Each airport is about 45-60 minutes travel time Sagamore Hill. Rental cars and taxis are available at all airports, but rates are high. Bus shuttle connections from JFK and LGA are available to Long Island Railroad's Jamaica Station. Ask travel agent or airport ground transportation desk for details.

Driving from the airports:

ISD - 29 miles. Take State Route 454 West/ Veterans Highway to Long Island Expressway (LIE) I-495, then west to Exit 41N - OR - continue 4 miles beyond interchange on Route 454 West to terminus of the Northern State Parkway (NSP). Take NSP west to Exit 35N.

JFK - 28 miles. Take Belt Parkway east to the northbound Cross Island Parkway. Continue to Grand Central Parkway (GCP)/NSP eastbound to Exit 35N.

LGA - 27 miles. Travel east/Long Island-bound on GCP to LIE/I-495, then east to Exit 41N - OR - continue on the GCP/NSP to Exit 35N.

By Car
Sagamore Hill can be reached from NSP Exit 35N or LIE/I-495 Exit 41N.
At those exits, take Route 106 North for 4 miles. Turn right/east on Route 25A and travel 2.5 miles. At third traffic light, turn left/northwest and take Cove Road for 1.7 miles. Turn right/north and take Cove Neck Road 1.5 miles to Sagamore Hill.

The Belt/Cross Island, Grand Central parallel the NSP and LIE/I-495. The Southern State Parkway connects to NSP/LIE via the Wantaugh/Meadowbrook Parkways, or the Seaford/Oyster Bay Expressway.

Take Southern State Exit 28AN to Route 135 North (Seaford/Oyster Bay Expressway) for 10 miles to Exit 14E (Woodbury) and Route 25(Jericho Turnpike). Turn right/east, travel to the third traffic light. Turn left on South Woods Road, traveling 1.6 miles to its end and turn right on to Cold Springs Road. Travel 1 mile to Route 25A intersection. Turn left on Route 25A and travel 0.7 miles downhill to the Cove Road stoplight. Turn right on Cove Road for 1.7 miles to Cove Neck Road.
Turn right on Cove Neck Road and follow signs for 1.5 miles to Sagamore Hill.

By Plane
Rail: AMTRAK and the Long Island Railroad serves New York City through Penn Station. The LIRR provides service via the Oyster Bay Branch to Oyster Bay (3 miles away) - OR - more frequent service via the Port Jefferson Branch to Syosset (6 miles away). Taxis meet all trains. Cab fares average $6 from Oyster Bay, $10 from Syosset, $2 for additional passengers. Rail travelers to Sagamore Hill should leave New York City early in the day.

Hiking: Hiking the three miles from the Oyster Bay railroad station or the Oyster Bay Marina is not recommended. The route is pedestrian hostile with narrow shoulders, fast and moderately heavy traffic and travels through exclusive rural residential neighborhoods where a premium is placed on privacy. No restrooms, water or food service is available enroute and no food service at the park.

By Bus: Long Island Bus service nearest Sagamore Hill is at Syosset (6 miles) or Hicksville (10 miles). Rail/Taxi is the more practical public transportation option.

By Private Boat: Sagamore Hill is within a mile of Oyster Bay Harbor and the Long Island Sound, but there is no public access or docking facility nearby. The Oyster Bay Marina is about three miles away and about a block from the Oyster Bay railroad station. In making your weekend sailing plans, contact the Oyster Bay Harbor Master at (516)624-6201.

Getting Around
Paved pedestrian paths lead from a central parking lot to the Old Orchard Museum, Visitor Center/Bookstore and about the grounds of the Roosevelt's home. A moderately steep and minimally improved loop trail follows along the old carriage road to the old family tennis court. Cycling is limited to the entrance road and parking lot.

Summers are generally hot and humid. The Theodore Roosevelt home is not air-conditioned. The third floor of the house is subject to closure when the heat becomes uncomfortable to visitors.
Winters are generally cold and damp with variable precipitation and snow. Long standing snow can turn to ice.

The Theodore Roosevelt home is about a five minute walk from the Visitor Center and it is not possible to enter the home (and escape intemperate weather) before the scheduled tour time. There may be a short wait on an open porch before your tour begins. Please dress appropriately for the weather. We recommend layers of clothing, especially in spring and fall, and good walking shoes.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Educational Programs
• Nature Walks

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