New York · National Seashore trail

Squirrel Lane Trail: Lon's Balk

in New York · centroid 34 mi from Bridgeport

As you walk along the road, notice the stand of trees on your right and the field beyond. This wooded space was called Lon’s Balk, named after London Edwards. Throughout the site, many other places retain the names of the men who labored here: Jeames’ Ground, Uncle Steve’s Garden, and Red’s Orchard.

In the 19th century, Squirrel Lane became part of the preferred approach to the Old Mastic House. Cornelia Floyd Nichols remembered this approach fondly, “Perched high in the light wagon with pungent horse blankets tucked around us for warmth, we jogged the three miles homeward on a narrow woods road. Past the little Indian reservation of Poospattuck…through the spring mudpuddles of 'Oak Arch', into Squirrel Lane and up the little rise onto the lawn.

Carriage wheel marks were so soon lived down by its soft deep clover that it was the custom to drive right across the green to the piazza.”

States: New York
Trail type: National Seashore trail
Centroid nearest city: Bridgeport, CT · 34 mi · ~60 min drive
Centroid coords: 40.7748°, -72.8288°

About Fire Island National Seashore

National Seashore

This trail is inside Fire Island National Seashore, a national seashore managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/squirrel-lane-trail-lon-s-balk.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/fiis/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Squirrel Lane Trail: Lon's Balk and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.

Stay nearby

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Driving in? The nearest documented metro is Bridgeport, CT — 34 miles away (~60 min drive). See accommodation in Bridgeport on Booking.com → RoamFound earns a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you. How we handle affiliate links.