Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in New York, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River, New York, is a country estate on the Connetquot River for quiet walks among labeled trees. Managed by New York State Parks, it suits visitors interested in plant collections and the historic Manor House.

Trees and a riverside estate

The pinetum and rhododendron plantings give a self-guided walk a clear focus. Tree labels help visitors compare specimens and consider how they might look in a home landscape.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Water and activity limits

Swimming and kayaking are prohibited. Plan a walking visit; the riverfront is not a water recreation launch.

Protect the quiet setting

Leave pets, bicycles, sports equipment, kites, and picnic supplies at home. Camping, active games, smoking, and drones are prohibited. Photograph plants and scenery on the grounds. Arrange a permit for posed photographs. Inside the Manor House, neither flash photography nor the types of photography that require a permit are allowed.

Tours and reservations

Use the dedicated tour schedule for seasonal grounds and Manor House tours. Online reservations are strongly recommended. Grounds tours cost USD 5 per person; house tours cost USD 15 per person. Victorian Tea requires advance reservations with the café.

Maps, location, and access

The entrance is at 440 Montauk Highway, Great River, NY 11739. From the west, take Southern State Parkway exit 45E and continue east on Montauk Highway for about three-quarters of a mile; the entrance is on the right. Consult the official arrival information before travel.

Nearby parks

Nearby road-access alternatives include Heckscher State Park in East Islip for a picnic, and Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale. The preserve normally closes Mondays except holidays.

Choose a self-guided walk or a tour

A grounds walk emphasizes trees and informal estate planting. A Manor House tour adds the furnished interiors; these tours operate seasonally. Choose the house option if architectural and estate history are central to your visit.

Facilities and accessibility

The Hidden Oak Café occupies the Manor House and offers light meals and reserved teas. Ask the park office about access needs before choosing a route or tour. Review the visitor policies and café information when planning your stop.

About the arboretum

The Westbrook estate

The property was known as Westbrook. In 1936, Olivia James described the quiet landscape and educational purpose envisioned by her and her mother as they considered its transfer to the Long Island State Park Commission. The arboretum honors her father, William Bayard Cutting.

Trees and planted landscapes

The collection includes a pinetum and rhododendrons within the riverside estate. Its principal visitor lesson is how informal planting shapes a landscape.

Contact

New York State Parks: Bayard Cutting Arboretum. Park office: (631) 581-1002.