Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Fire Island Lighthouse: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
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Plan your Fire Island trip
About the Park
Immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special place for diverse plants, animals and people for centuries. Far from the pressure of nearby big-city life, dynamic barrier island beaches offer solitude, camaraderie, and spiritual renewal.
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What to See & Do
Burma Trail
Burma Trail is a seven-mile-long footpath that spans the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness Area from Watch Hill to Smith Point and allows access to Fire Island's Wilderness for hikers, photographers, birders, campers, anglers, hunters, and others.
Backcountry Camping in the Otis Pike Wilderness
The Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness offers a wilderness experience like no other. Backcountry camping is one of the best ways to experience it.
Fishing Fire Island
Fishing on Fire Island is a fun and easy way to experience the park. Learn more about fishing regulations before heading out.
Boating Fire Island
Fire Island National Seashore is one of the best, and most affordable places to boat around Long Island. Two large marinas are available with a range of amenities.
Birding at Fire Island
Situated along the Atlantic Flyway, Fire Island is a prime location for birdwatching. Spot year-round, nesting, and seasonal migrants from the oceans, dunes, forests and fields of Fire Island National Seashore.
Tour the Tower!
Climb Long Island's tallest lighthouse.
Self-Guided Tours
The Sunken Forest: A Story of Balance
This self-guided audio tour of the Sunken Forest will take you through the dynamic habitat of Fire Island's crown jewel to teach you about this globally rare ecosystem, it's unique natural history, and a variety of challenges to its continued preservation.
William Floyd Estate: Historic Core Walking Tour
This tour of the William Floyd Estate's Historic Core will give visitors a glimpse into the multifaceted, complex stories of American history as told through the diverse and vibrant array of historical communities which passed through the William Floyd Estate over the course of more than three centuries.
Visitor Centers
Fire Island Lighthouse
The Fire Island Lighthouse is on the western part of Fire Island National Seashore, adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. The Fire Island Lighthouse area offers exhibits, a nature trail, interpretive programs and curriculum-based fourth grade education programs (school groups by reservation only). There is walking access to the Lighthouse Beach (no lifeguards).
Wilderness Visitor Center
The Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center includes a ranger contact station, 360-degree view of barrier island, Eastern National sales outlet, and exhibit space. Permits for recreational driving and waterfowl hunting are issued in season and park ranger-led programs are offered year-round. Hiking trails into the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness are also accessible from here.
Watch Hill Visitor Center
The Watch Hill area offers a visitor center, family campground, ranger-led interpretive programs, a 175-slip transient marina with water, electric, and pump-out station; a small convenience store, restaurant, self-guiding nature trail, restrooms, and lifeguarded beach (summer only).
Sailors Haven Visitor Center
In addition to a one and a half mile long boardwalk trail through the Sunken Forest, a globally rare maritime holly forest, Sailors Haven also offers a visitor center; snack bar/convenience store/gift shop; picnic tables and grills; lifeguarded beach (summer only); a 45-slip public marina with electricity, water and a free boat pump-out station; restrooms and showers.
William Floyd Estate
The William Floyd Estate, which was authorized as an addition to Fire Island National Seashore in 1965, is located on the mainland of Long Island in Mastic Beach. Visitors can explore the Estate grounds, trails, outbuildings and a cemetery. The Old Mastic House is open for tours May-September.
Where to Stay
Backcountry Camping in the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness
Under the stars, near the sound of the surf, waking to a chorus of song birds, backcountry camping on Fire Island within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness can be a memorable experience. This backcountry camping experience is available by permit only. Permits are limited and issued for specific nights and number of persons within the group. A maximum length of stay is three consecutive nights. Beach camping may be available from March 15 through Labor Day.
Watch Hill Campground
Close to the beach, bay, and the Otis Pike Wilderness, the Watch Hill Campground provides a traditional camping experience on Fire Island's eastern end. The campground includes 20 sand tent sites and 8 safari tent ("glamping") sites. Transportation to the campground is by private boat or the Watch Hill Ferry, which leaves from Patchogue, NY. Sites are available typically from mid-May weekend to mid-October. The campground is operated by concessioner LoveFINS.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters are located in Patchogue, New York, on Long Island. Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters: Via Long Island Expressway/I-495: Take Exit 61 (Patchogue-Holbrook Road) to Waverly Avenue. Head south on Waverly Ave to West Ave. Turn right onto Laurel Street. Via NY-27: Take Exit 52 onto Waverly Ave. Head south on Waverly Ave to West Ave. Turn right onto Laurel Street.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in Fire Island National Seashore — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Operating Hours
Fire Island National Seashore
Fire Island National Seashore encompasses five National Park Service sites on Fire Island, and headquarters and the William Floyd Estate on Long Island. The Fire Island Lighthouse, the William Floyd Estate and Wilderness Visitor Center are open year-round. Watch Hill and Sailors Haven on Fire Island are open seasonally. Please be sure to check the hours of operations and the exceptions tab for each site you plan to visit.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
A park ranger walks on a boardwalk in a shady, green forest.
A sandy dune stands above the beach with dune grass and a horseshoe crab carapace in the foreground.
A white two-story colonial home with green shutters stands on a lawn with blue sky and white clouds.
A small white and gray shorebird with orange bill and legs runs on the sand.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Fire Island National Seashore
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