Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island has a temperate climate. The park's air temperature may be slightly cooler in summer or warmer in winter than on the mainland of Long Island. Layered clothing is always recommended. Check the predicted weather conditions before coming to Fire Island. Ferry schedules may change and some programs may be canceled or postponed in poor weather conditions.

Many people are surprised to learn that Fire Island is accessible almost all year. However, the majority of visitors come to Fire Island during the summer months, from May through September, when the weather is the most favorable for beach related activities. In the off-season (October through April), public transportation to the island may be limited, and some services on various parts of the island are unavailable.

The Fire Island Lighthouse and William Floyd Estate—both parts of Fire Island National Seashore—and Smith Point County Park and Robert Moses State Park—located on either end of Fire Island—are accessible year-round, but operating hours vary by season.

Fire Island's Sailors Haven, Barrett Beach/Talisman and Watch Hill units are dependent on water travel, and are open from mid-May through mid-October each year. The Wilderness Visitor Center is open mid-May through December. Ranger-led interpretive activities are primarily scheduled for summer months at all locations.

Be sure to review the train and ferry schedules in advance, and pay particular attention to the return schedules. Ferries run regularly to the island in the summer months but are limited in the off-season..

Times to Visit:

Spring (before Memorial Day), the air can still be chilly and the weather is somewhat unpredictable so dressing in layers is recommended. Ferry service to Sailors Haven and Watch Hill does not begin until mid-May, but you can easily walk in from nearby communities where ferries are operating on a limited schedule. The Watch Hill campground opens mid-May and offers family sites as well as one organized group site. Now is the time to catch the annual spring wildflowers and the migration of spring birds. Piping plovers, one of Fire Island's endangered species, usually arrive on the ocean beaches by early April. Please respect all signs and postings regarding endangered species and their habitat.

Facilities Open:
Fire Island Lighthouse
Sailors Haven (mid-May - Mid-October)
Watch Hill (mid-May - Mid-October)
Wilderness Visitor Center (mid-May - December)
William Floyd Estate (late-May - Mid-October)

Summer:Fourth of July weekend typically marks the beginning of our high visitation season. Ferry services and park facilities are operating at full schedules. Interpretive programs, including guided nature walks, canoeing and Junior Ranger workshops, are offered in the summer. Check to see if reservations are required for any program you plan to attend. Now is the time to enjoy the white, sandy beaches and the cool, refreshing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Wildlife is best viewed in the early morning hours or at dusk when they are not seeking shelter from the hot summer sun.

Facilities Open:
Fire Island Lighthouse
Sailors Haven (mid-May - Mid-October)
Watch Hill (mid-May - Mid-October)
Wilderness Visitor Center (mid-May - December)
William Floyd Estate (late-May - Mid-October)

Fall:After Labor Day, the air usually cools and summer crowds dwindle. After the first frost, mosquito and tick populations decline. Although ferry service is reduced, you may still enjoy Fire Island National Seashore. School groups and education programs are in full swing in early fall. By mid-fall it is the perfect time to enjoy nature and the backcountry portions of Fire Island. Hiking and backcountry camping in the Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, although available year-round, is now recommended. Catch the annual migration of birds and monarch butterflies. Watch as the poison ivy turns red across the island and see why some believe that it was this plant that led to the name "Fire Island." Autumn is fishing and hunting season (waterfowl only). Proper permits (some fees are applied) can be obtained at the Wilderness Visitor Center and the West District Ranger Station (checkpoint).

Facilities Open:
Fire Island Lighthouse
Sailors Haven (mid-May - Mid-October)
Watch Hill (mid-May - Mid-October)
Wilderness Visitor Center (mid-May - December)
William Floyd Estate (late-May - Mid-October)

Winter: Considered Fire Island's off-season, winter is a quieter, peaceful time. Ferry service is minimal, but vehicle accesses via the Robert Moses Causeway Bridge and the Smith Point Bridge remain open. Although at times extremely cold, if you're properly prepared you can experience a different beauty on Fire Island. The landscape can sometimes be covered in a blanket of white snow with barren branches encased in ice and glistening in the sun. White-tailed deer sport their dull winter coats. Snowy owls are occasionally spotted near the beach. Sightings of seals and even the occasional whale have been reported. Seals occasionally bask on the winter beach.

No Fees.
Transportation and parking are additional costs.

You can Enjoy a Variety of Recreational and Educational Activities at Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island is a magical place that has provided fond memories for generations of people who have lived, worked or visited on the island. As a part of Fire Island National Seashore, the prospect of future memories is still alive for many more people.

You can enjoy sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife-viewing on nature trails and along entire seashore and grounds of William Floyd Estate. Canoeing, boating, and fishing are a few of the water-based activities you may find in Great South Bay, along salt marshes, between Watch Hill and Smith Point. Interpretive programs are offered at all sites, although schedules vary by season. For ocean beach recreation, lifeguards are on duty at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven from late-June through Labor Day.

A small walk-in campground is located at Watch Hill beyond the marina and behind the dunes. It is available from mid-May through mid-October. Wilderness camping in the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness is available all year, but heat and abundant ticks and mosquitoes make this a less desirable option during the summer. A permit is required and restrictions are enforced. You must hike at least 1½ miles in from the wilderness boundary, and carry out everything you've taken in with you. You can enter the wilderness area from either Watch Hill or Smith Point (beyond the Wilderness Visitor Center).

The marinas at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven are open from mid-May to mid-October. These facilities are operated by a National Park Service concessioner, Fire Island Concessions, LLC. Both locations are accessible only by ferry, water taxi or private boat.

Logistics on Fire Island can be quite complicated, so be sure to review ferry schedules in advance. Ferries run regularly to the island in the summer months but are limited in the off-season. A water taxi provides service between island communities and park locations.

Under the stars, near the sound of the surf, waking to a chorus of songbirds. Camping on Fire Island can be a memorable experience.

Camping on Fire Island is restricted to the designated family and group campground site at Watch Hill, by permit only within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, and at Smith Point County Park.

The Watch Hill and Wilderness camping experiences require that you walk your gear at least ½ mile from the ferry dock or hike at least 1½ miles into the designated wilderness. You're not able to camp directly on the beach, but the campsites are a short walk over the boardwalk to the beach.

Smith Point County Park is the only place on Fire Island where you may drive your camper or trailer to the site. Limited outer beach camping at Smith Point County Park may also be available for self-contained units, but tents are not allowed on the beach. You may contact the county park directly for more information or reservations.

Fire Island National Seashore offers several opportunities for hiking, from short 1½ mile strolls around the boardwalks at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven, to longer walks down the beach and through the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness.

Always remember to carry water and be prepared for poison ivy, ticks, mosquitoes, and sun or other elements.

Boating

You can enjoy a variety of boating opportunities within Fire Island National Seashore. Motorboats and sailboats are common summer adornments on the Great South Bay. Canoes and kayaks are less common, but may be safely used close to the shoreline.

The use of personal watercraft (PWCs)—also known as "Jet Skis"—is restricted within the boundaries of Fire Island. PWCs may only be operated in the channels to some of the Fire Island communities.

You may stay overnight at the Watch Hill or Sailors Haven marina, operated within Fire Island National Seashore by Fire Island Concessions, LLC. Both electric and non-electric sites are available, and rates vary by size of vessel. There is a 14-day limit of stay at National Park Service marinas.

Other public marinas on Fire Island include the Town of Brookhaven's Davis Park Marina and Great Gun Marina, which provide lower fees for town residents but may accommodate non-residents' vessels; hourly rates may also be available at these facilities. The Town of Islip also maintains a marina on Fire Island at Atlantique, with a similar rate structure. Private marinas on Fire Island include those at Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines, (which have seasonal and limited transient slips) and several establishments that provide a place to dock on a short-term basis.

You may also anchor off-shore, outside of channels. There is a 14-consecutive-day limit for all overnight stays in the park (except in the designated wilderness) or at park facilities.

Canoeing & Kayaking

There are currently no canoe or kayak rentals at Fire Island National Seashore's facilities. However, the National Park Service offers a guided canoeing program at Watch Hill during the summer, when staffing and conditions permit. The two-hour program provides an opportunity to explore and appreciate one of Fire Island's salt marshes. There are age requirements for children and you must be able to swim, but life jackets, paddles and canoes are provided.

Coastal canoeing and kayaking requires a respect and understanding of tides and tidal currents, and wind, waves and weather. Weather can change quickly and fog can occur at times on the Great South Bay. As much as five miles off the south shore of Long Island, Fire Island's weather can be quite different from that on the mainland.

Fishing

Surf-fishing is an activity you can enjoy throughout the year on Fire Island. When ferry service is limited or the boating season is over, you may still drive to either end of the island for access to the beach.

Individuals do not need a license for saltwater fishing, but New York State recreational saltwater fishing seasons, size and possession limits apply. Commercial fishing is not allowed within the boundaries of Fire Island National Seashore.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation maintains two artificial fishing reefs in the Great South Bay, and several in the Atlantic Ocean south of Fire Island.

Nearby Captree State Park—on the eastern end of Jones Beach Island and north of the Fire Island Inlet—offers access to several charter fishing boats. Boat ramps for private vessels are also available at Captree and several other nearby state parks, and at Smith Point County Park.

Fishing is not permitted in Fire Island National Seashore's marinas, nor at designated lifeguarded swimming beaches. Unauthorized vessels are not permitted within 300 feet of the Fire Island Lighthouse Pier.

Fire Island's barrier island habitats and location on the Atlantic Flyway make this a good home for both resident and migratory birds. The tidal marsh on the Great South Bay, especially at Watch Hill, is a good place to watch for waterfowl, herons and egrets, and Red-winged Blackbirds.

The Sunken Forest, a mature maritime forest at Sailors Haven, provides dense cover for migrating warblers. Other birds, such as the Towhee, can be heard rustling the leaves on the forest floor.

Varied habitats of the William Floyd Estate include woods and fields, creeks and salt marsh, providing additional opportunities for bird watching.

Wildlife Viewing

Fire Island National Seashore offers opportunities to catch glimpses of barrier island wildlife in its natural environment. How exciting it is to spot a shy fox on the dunes as you hike through the Fire Island Wilderness! Or to spy a seal on the beach as it suns itself on a cold winter day. Strolling along the nature trail at Watch Hill or in the Sunken Forest, you can almost always see some of the park's bird life.

You should never feed the deer or try to touch any wild animal. Always enjoy them from a distance.

Should you find what appears to be an abandoned baby deer or other small animal, please leave it alone where you found it. Its mother is probably hiding nearby.

Fire Island National Seashore provides limited opportunities for waterfowl hunting. You must first obtain a hunting permit from the Seashore. Before you stop by for your permit, you must possess the following documents:

1. Valid New York State hunting license

2. Signed "duck stamp" (for hunters age 16 and older)

3. Valid state driving license

4. Confirmation number from the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP)

Fire Island National Seashore Hunting Regulations

1. Hunting is limited to waterfowl only.

2. Hunting or carrying of loaded firearms is prohibited within areas posted as closed areas or safety zones (see map)

3. Walking access to eastern hunting areas should be by sand road (Burma Road).

4. All waterfowl hunting is north of the Burma Road only.

5. Any person may be ejected from the area for disorderly conduct, intoxication or any other conduct which endangers the public welfare.

6. No target or promiscuous shooting is permitted within the cooperative area.

7. No rifles or bows shall be carried or used in the area.

8. Obey all posted regulatory signs.

9. Use designated dune crossings only.

10. The following acts are prohibited: hunting camps; building fires; damaging, cutting or breaking trees or shrubs.

11. Upon request of the Fire Island National Seashore, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or New York Department of Environmental Conservation staff, all persons are required to show their bag.

12. All applicable provisions of New York conservation law and federal regulations shall be in effect.

13. Non-toxic shot is required for waterfowl hunting. Possession or use of shells loaded with shot other than steel, bismuth/tin, tungsten/iron or other shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is strictly prohibited when hunting waterfowl.

14. A shotgun with the capability of holding more than three shells is required to be plugged with a one piece filler which is incapable of removal without disassembling the gun.

While most of Fire Island National Seashore's resources are best enjoyed outdoors, the park does provide limited opportunities to get out of the sun or bad weather and learn about those things that make this such a special place.

The Fire Island Lighthouse is open all year, weather permitting. There you may peruse two floors of interactive and two-dimensional exhibits about the maritime history of Fire Island. Guided lighthouse tower tours are also available.

Fire Island National Seashore's visitor centers at Watch Hill, Sailors Haven, and Wilderness are open seasonally, and provide an opportunity to learn about the local natural resources. You may request to view the park's 13-minute orientation video, if it's not already playing.

The William Floyd Estate is not open as many days or hours as the other sites, but the 1-hour guided tour through the Manor House is worth making the extra effort to catch during your visit.

National Park Service Areas

• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
  38 miles (at least 1+ hour) from Patchogue, NY
  20 Sagamore Hill Rd., Oyster Bay, NY 11771
• Gateway National Recreation Area
  Jamaica Bay Unit:
  Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge — 53 miles (at least 1¼+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  Cross Bay Blvd, Far Rockaway, NY 11693
  Floyd Bennett Field — 57 miles (at least 1¼+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  50 Aviation Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11234
• Staten Island Unit:
  Fort Wadsworth — 66 miles (at least 1½+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  210 New York Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305
• Sandy Hook Unit:
  Fort Hancock/Sandy Hook Lighthouse — 113 miles by road (at least 2½+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  58 N. Hartshorne Rd., Fort Hancock, NJ 07732
• National Parks of New York Harbor
  Ellis Island National Monument and Statue of Liberty National Monument
  64 miles by road (at least 1½-2+ hours) from Patchogue, NY to Circle Line's Battery Park Ferry Terminal
  17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004-1207
• Manhattan Sites
  Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
  59 miles (at least 1½-2+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  28 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
• Hamilton Grange National Memorial
  60 miles from Patchogue, NY
  (currently closed)
• General Grant National Memorial
  62 miles (at least 1½-2+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  122nd Street & Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027
• Federal Hall National Memorial
  63 miles (at least 1½-2+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  26 Wall St, New York, NY 10005

National Parks in nearby New Jersey

• Edison National Historic Site
  81 miles (at least 2-2½+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  West Orange, NJ 07052
• Morristown National Historical Park
  95 miles (at least 2-2½+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07960

National Parks in nearby Connecticut

• Weir Farm National Historic Site
  96 miles (at least 2-2½+ hours) from Patchogue, NY
  735 Nod Hill Road, Wilton, CT 06897
  You may be get to Weir Farm from Long Island by taking the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson vehicle ferry from Port Jefferson, NY to Bridgeport, CT (46 miles/1½ hours driving time + ferry time and fare).

Other Long Island Attractions

• Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
• New York State Parks
• Suffolk County Parks
• Montauk Point Lighthouse, 60 miles
• Long Island Maritime Museum

In 1964, Fire Island National Seashore was established to conserve and preserve for the use of future generations certain relatively unspoiled and undeveloped beaches, dunes, and other natural features. Within the boundaries of the national seashore, 17 pre-existing communities and a county park still thrive. Long Island's first state park lies just outside the federal boundaries.