National park · United States
Fire Island National Seashore
Go for a car-free beach day: ferry from Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue (about $12–22 return, 20–30 min), walk the Sunken Forest boardwalk or the Otis Pike dunes; park entry itself is free, and day parking at Robert Moses or Smith Point is $10–18.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
79 km²31 sq mi
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 79 km²31 sq mi
- About 79 km² (roughly 19,580 acres) of land and bay bottom across the island plus the William Floyd Estate on the mainland (check).
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- New York
Fire Island is a 50 km barrier island off Long Island's south shore, and most of it is a national seashore: no public roads, no cars, a handful of ferry-only villages, and one federally designated wilderness at the eastern end. You come for the ocean beach, the old holly forest at Sailors Haven, the 1858 lighthouse at the west end, and birding in spring and fall. Entry to the park is free; you pay for the ferry, and for parking if you drive to either bridge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1980Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, the only federally designated wilderness in New York state.
Size and age
79 km²31 sq mi · national park since 1964
About 79 km² (roughly 19,580 acres) of land and bay bottom across the island plus the William Floyd Estate on the mainland (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: New York.
Why go
- A car-free ocean beach 90 minutes from Manhattan by train and ferry.
- The Sunken Forest at Sailors Haven: 200-year-old hollies growing behind the dunes, on a 2.4 km boardwalk.The Sunken Forest at Sailors Haven: 200-year-old hollies growing behind the dunes, on a 1.5 mi boardwalk.
- Otis Pike Wilderness, a walk-in dune and bay shore with backcountry camping by permit.
- Over 300 bird species recorded — spring and fall migration is the reason to come outside summer.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, most services shut, ferries limited
- FebCold; lighthouse and estate only
- MarPlover closures start 1 Mar; ferries thin
- AprLighthouse open daily; quiet beaches
- MayFerry areas open mid-May; migration peak; no crowds
- JunWarm sea, lifeguards from late June
- JulBest weather but full ferries and packed beaches
- AugHottest, busiest; book ferries ahead
- SepWarm water, thinner crowds after Labor Day
- OctQuiet; ferry areas close mid-October
- NovWilderness centre open; birding
- DecWilderness centre open to December; cold and exposed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migratory songbirds (warblers, catbirds, towhees)Apr–May, Sep–Oct · The island is a rest stop on the Atlantic flyway. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Piping plover nesting closuresMar–Aug · Beach and dune areas close from 1 March through Labor Day; dogs are not allowed in these areas in that window. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Ticks and mosquitoesMay–Sep · Deer ticks can carry Lyme disease; repellent and a post-walk check. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Poison ivyMay–Sep · Common along trail edges; stay on marked paths. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From New York City
Long Island Rail Road to Bay Shore, Sayville or Patchogue, then walk or taxi to the ferry terminal and cross by passenger ferry.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Bay Shore
Fire Island Ferries to Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, Kismet, Saltaire, Ocean Bay Park and Seaview; year-round.
20–30 min
From Sayville
Sayville ferry to Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, Sunken Forest (Sailors Haven) and Water Island; year-round.
20–30 min
From Patchogue
Ferry to Davis Park and to Watch Hill inside the park; roughly mid-March to November.
25–35 min
From Robert Moses Causeway (by car)
Drive to the west end for the lighthouse and Robert Moses State Park; paid parking, no public roads onto the island.
1.5 h from Manhattan
From William Floyd Parkway (by car)
Drive to Smith Point County Park for the Wilderness Visitor Center; paid parking.
1.5–2 h from Manhattan
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| West end — Robert Moses State Park and Fire Island Lighthouse | The 1858 lighthouse, a nature trail loop and ocean beach. | Open year-round by car; parking fee. |
| Sailors Haven and the Sunken Forest | Visitor centre, 2.4 km boardwalk through old holly forest, snack bar, lifeguarded beach.Visitor centre, 1.5 mi boardwalk through old holly forest, snack bar, lifeguarded beach. | Ferry only (Sayville); mid-May to mid-October. |
| Watch Hill | Visitor centre, marina, campground, general store, nature trail and beach. | Ferry (Patchogue) or private boat; mid-May to mid-October. |
| Barrett Beach / Talisman | One of the narrowest points — bay to ocean in about five minutes. | Private boat, charter ferry or on foot; dock for loading only. |
| Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness | Dune and bay shore wilderness with walk-in camping. | Permit required for camping; reach from Smith Point or Watch Hill. |
| William Floyd Estate, Mastic Beach | Mainland plantation of a Declaration of Independence signer, with outbuildings and a cemetery. | On Long Island, not the island; seasonal house tours. |
Sketch map
- 1Fire Island Lighthouse · Viewpoint≈40.632, -73.219Map ↗
- 2Robert Moses State Park (west bridge) · Gate≈40.623, -73.280Map ↗
- 3Sailors Haven Visitor Center · Headquarters≈40.657, -73.137Map ↗
- 4Watch Hill Visitor Center · Headquarters≈40.694, -72.999Map ↗
- 5Otis Pike Wilderness Visitor Center, Smith Point · Gate≈40.735, -72.870Map ↗
- 6Ocean Beach village · Town≈40.644, -73.158Map ↗
- 7William Floyd Estate, Mastic Beach · Village≈40.769, -72.823Map ↗
- 8Park Headquarters, Patchogue · Ranger station≈40.762, -73.015Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (Fire Island National Seashore) | Free | person | No entrance fee for the national seashore itself. |
| Ferry, Bay Shore or Sayville to island villages | US$12–22 | person return | 2026 estimate; higher in peak summer, lower off-season. |
| Ferry, Patchogue to Davis Park or Watch Hill | US$20–30 | person return | 2026 estimate; seasonal service. |
| Parking, Robert Moses State Park or Smith Point County Park | US$10–18 | car per day | 2026 estimate; charged in season at both bridge lots. |
| Watch Hill campsite | US$20–30 | site per night | 2026 estimate; mid-May to mid-October. |
| Otis Pike Wilderness backcountry permit | Free | permit | Free but required; issued at Watch Hill or the Wilderness Visitor Center. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Backcountry camping, Otis Pike Wilderness permit or guide
Watch Hill campground permit or guide
Recreational driving and waterfowl hunting in season permit or guide
Park rules
- No public roads
- Cars stay on the mainland; explore on foot or by water taxi between park sites.
- Boardwalk wheels
- Bicycles, scooters, rollerblades and razors are banned on park boardwalks; wheelchairs, strollers and wagons are allowed.
- Open fires
- Prohibited; use a backcountry stove for cooking.
- Campsite placement
- North of the primary dune, out of sight of the beach, on bare sand, and at least 1.6 km inside the wilderness boundary.North of the primary dune, out of sight of the beach, on bare sand, and at least 1 mi inside the wilderness boundary.
- Dogs
- Not allowed during plover nesting season (1 March to Labor Day); otherwise on a 6-foot leash at all times.
- Human waste
- Bury in a hole 90 m from water and 15 cm deep; no trenches. Leave-no-trace applies.
Where to stay
In the park
Watch Hill campground
36 tent sites plus a group site, a quarter-mile walk from the ferry dock; mid-May to mid-October.
In the park
Otis Pike Wilderness backcountry
Walk-in camping by free permit, first-come first-served; no water, carry everything out.
Near the park
Fire Island villages (Ocean Beach, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines)
Guesthouses and rentals in the communities outside the park; book far ahead for summer weekends.
Near the park
Long Island mainland (Bay Shore, Sayville, Patchogue)
Hotels near the ferry terminals for early crossings and off-season trips.
Safety
Ticks and Lyme disease medium
Sun and heat on open sand medium
Rip currents in the ocean high
Missing the last ferry medium
Weather changing ferry service low
Accessibility
- Ferries, boardwalks and the visitor centres at Sailors Haven and Watch Hill are usable with wheelchairs and strollers; wheeled chairs are allowed where bikes are not.
- The Sunken Forest boardwalk is level and wooden, with benches along the route.
- The lighthouse tower involves a long stair climb; the grounds and nature trail are the step-free option.
- Otis Pike Wilderness is deep sand with no facilities; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish — there is no collection in the wilderness.
- Keep to boardwalks and marked trails to protect dune vegetation and nesting birds.
- Respect seasonal plover closures; they cover small areas for a few weeks.
- Use the pump-out stations at Sailors Haven and Watch Hill rather than discharging in the bay.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Fire Island National Seashore?
Nothing — there is no entrance fee for the national seashore. Your costs are the passenger ferry (about $12–22 return from Bay Shore or Sayville, $20–30 from Patchogue, 2026 estimate), parking at Robert Moses or Smith Point if you drive ($10–18 a day in season), and camping if you stay over.
What are the best hikes in Fire Island National Seashore?
The 2.4 km Sunken Forest boardwalk at Sailors Haven is the signature easy walk, through hollies up to 200 years old. The lighthouse nature trail at the west end is a short loop. The Otis Pike Wilderness is the real hike: sandy, unshaded walking on the bay side, with campers required to go at least 2.4 km in from Smith Point or 1.6 km from Watch Hill.
When is the best time to visit Fire Island National Seashore?
Late May to June and September to early October: warm enough to swim, ferries running, beaches far quieter than July and August. Spring and fall are also the best birding. July and August have the fullest ferry schedules but the biggest crowds; November to March is cold and many services close.
Do I need a car on Fire Island?
No — there are no public roads on the island. You arrive by passenger ferry or private boat and move on foot or by water taxi. Cars only reach the two ends, Robert Moses State Park and Smith Point County Park, plus the mainland headquarters and William Floyd Estate.
Can I camp on Fire Island?
Yes, two ways. Watch Hill has 36 tent sites plus a group site, mid-May to mid-October, a quarter-mile from the ferry dock. Otis Pike Wilderness allows walk-in backcountry camping with a free permit from the Watch Hill or Wilderness visitor centre; no fires, no water, carry everything out.
Can I bring my dog?
Not during piping plover nesting season, 1 March through Labor Day. Outside that window dogs are allowed but must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go