park map  more info about this area  back to parks top

Fire Island National Seashore

Patchogue, NY

Pristine ocean shores, an ancient maritime forest, legacies of lighthouse keepers, and the historic estate of William Floyd are just a few of the recreational, natural, and cultural resources of Fire Island National Seashore.

Plan your visit soon. Located only one hour east of New York City, this park offers visitors many types of relaxation and educational opportunities. Whether you prefer backpacking or birdwatching, sunbathing or a school group tour, many adventures await you at Fire Island!

Fire Island National Seashore was established "for the purpose of conserving and preserving for the use of future generations certain relatively unspoiled and undeveloped beaches, dunes, and other natural features ... which posess high values to the Nation as examples of unspoiled areas of great natural beauty in close proximity to large concentrations of urban population."

CONTACTS

Email - fiis_interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 631-289-4898

Write to
Fire Island National Seashore
120 Laurel Street
Patchogue, NY 11772

Phone
Park Headquarters - 631/289-4810
William Floyd Estate - 631-399-2030
Fire Island Lighthouse - 631-321-7028
Wilderness Visitor Center - 631-281-3010

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Sailors Haven and Watch Hill units are dependent on water travel, and are open from May 15 through October 15 each year. The Fire Island Light Station, William Floyd Estate and the Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center (Smith Point) are accessible year-round, but operating hours vary by season. Call park headquarters (631-289-4810) for specifics.

Getting There
PLANE - You can fly into LaGuardia or Kennedy Airports in New York City or Islip Macarthur Airport on Long Island, then use a rental car, taxi, or train to your destination.

CAR - There are only two bridges to Fire Island National Seashore. The Robert Moses Causeway on the western end of Fire Island leads to parking lots at Robert Moses State Park. The William Floyd Parkway leads to Smith Point County Park on the eastern end of Fire Island, where there are also parking lots. Parking fees are charged at both lots. There are no public roads on the island itself.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - By train: Long Island railroad stations are near three ferry terminals: Patchogue, Sayville, and Bay Shore. Contact the Long Island Railroad for train schedules. Ferries to Fire Island depart from the following locations: Patchogue, Sayville, and Bay Shore.

Click on "more information" above for links to transportation sites.

Many Fire Island sites can be reached by private boat from the Great South Bay, with marinas at Watch Hill, Sailors Haven and most island communities. The bay is shallow, and boaters occasionally moor offshore near park sites. When on Fire Island, water taxis can shuttle you from point to point.

Weather & Climate
Temperate climate. Fire Island may have slightly cooler (in summer) or warmer (in winter) temperatures than the mainland of Long Island. Layered clothing is recommended.

Click on "more information" above for additional weather links.

Accessibility
In each area of the park, sections of trail are wheelchair accessible and other sections are not. As boardwalk is replaced, we build it to standards for universal accessibility. It is best to call the specific site for particulars. We have available at our island sites the use of a special wheelchair, which enables beach travel. Use of the wheelchair must be reserved in advance. Phone the site you are visiting a few days ahead of your visit, if possible.

At the William Floyd Estate and the Fire Island lighthouse, only the first floor is accessible to wheelchairs. At both these sites, exhibits are concentrated on the first floors. At the William Floyd Estate, a photograph album depicts the rooms on the second floor for those unable to reach it physically. At the Fire island Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters, a filmed version of the Lighthouse tower tour is available to view.

With advance notice, individualized programs may be arranged for groups or individuals with special educational needs or mental challenges. Call park headquarters for information and scheduling.

Getting Around
There are no public roads on Fire Island so, upon arrival, you may explore the park on foot or transfer to other park sites via water taxis.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
NO ENTRANCE FEES AT FIRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
Free!

Special Use Permits
SPECIAL USE PERMITS

For information on Special Use Permits (Public Gathering, Photography/Filming, Oversand Vehicle operation) at the park, click on the following link.

CAMPING

Watch Hill Campground
Campground will be open May 15 - October 15, 2002
26 tent sites and one group campsite available. Reservations accepted until April 1 and alloted on a lottery system. Within walking distance of marina, concessions, ocean beach, bathhouses, nature trails, and wilderness area. NEW for 2002! Watch Hill campground will be run by a concessionaire.
For More Information on this campground please call 631-597-6633

LODGING

Lodging at Fire Island National Seashore
Camping is available seasonally at Watch Hill Campground. Rental housing units are available in Fire Island communities through commercial real estate agencies. Access to these communities is by ferry or private boats.

FACILITIES

WILLIAM FLOYD ESTATE
Phone - (631) 399-2030
Location - The estate is located across in Mastic Beach on Long Island, across the bay from the eastern end of Fire Island National Seashore.
Special Programs - Special programs for fourth grade school groups. Please call for reservations.
Exhibits - Exhibits are available throughout the house, including historical photographs of the William Floyd Estate and the Floyd family.
Available Facilities - The William Floyd Estate is a separate unit of Fire Island National Seashore. William Floyd was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Guided house tours, self-guiding tours and other interpretive programs (seasonal) are available, including access to grounds and trails. Estate includes 12 outbuildings and a cemetery.

Visitor Centers
FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Phone - (631) 661-4876
Location - Western end of Fire Island adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. Parking is at Robert Moses State Park.
Closures - Officially closed till April 6, 2002. However, the lighthouse will be open on occasional weekends if volunteer staffing and good weather permit. CALL before coming!
Special Programs - The lighthouse is operated daily by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.Tower tours available by reservation. History talks, nature walks, and special evening programs are also available. Please call for additional information and scheduling. Special programs available for fourth grade school groups by reservation.
Exhibits - The base of the lighthouse houses a museum and exhibit room which includes exhibits on shipwrecks and rescues off Long Island, historical photos and records of previous lighthouse keepers, and information on the restoration of the lighthouse.
Available Facilities - Museum with exhibits, video program about offshore rescues, gift shop and restrooms. Seasonal interpretive programs are provided, boardwalk nature trail, and access to ocean beach. To contact the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society's website for additional information, please click on the words "more information" above.

SAILORS HAVEN
Facilities are closed for winter. They will reopen in spring 2002.
Phone - 631/597-6183 VC
Location - Middle of Fire Island, across the Great South Bay from Sayville, Long Island.
Closures - Facilities closed for winter season on October 15, 2001. They will open in spring for weekday school groups. Call 631-289-4810 (park headquarters) when visitor center is closed.
Special Programs - Ranger interpretive programs available when visitor center is open. Call for seasonal schedule.
Exhibits - Exhibits available in visitor center.
Available Facilities - Visitor center, including interpretive programs and exhibits, boardwalk nature trail through Sunken Forest, bathhouses, marina and seasonally lifeguarded ocean beach. Ferry concession and snack bar/gift shop.

WATCH HILL
Phone - 631/597-6455
Location - Watch Hill is located in the middle of Fire Island, across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, Long Island. Ferry service is available seasonally from Patchogue.
Closures - Facilities are closed for winter. Visitor Center will reopen in spring for school groups.
Special Programs - Special interpretive programs offered seasonally. See the Watch Hill webpage for additional information.
Exhibits - Exhibits on various natural history topics available seasonally in the Watch Hill Visitor Center.
Available Facilities - Facilities and services include a nature trail, visitor center (staffed seasonally for interpretive programs) and ranger office, marina, lifeguarded beach (summer only). Park campground reservation information, call (631)597-6633. Marina: (631) 597-4158 and (631) 597-4192.

Wilderness Information Centers
WILDERNESS VISITOR CENTER
Phone - (631) 281-3010
Location - The Wilderness Visitor Center is located on the eastern portion of Fire Island, adjacent to Smith Point County Park. It is accessible via the William Floyd Parkway. Parking is available at Smith Point County Park (fee is charged).
Special Programs - Seasonal interpretive programs are available. Contact Wilderness Visitor Center for additional information or for school group programs.
Exhibits - Exhibits on natural history topics are located in the Wilderness Visitor Center.
Available Facilities - Exhibits, seasonal interpretive programs, boardwalk nature trail through the Wilderness Area, walking access to the ocean beach, and sport fishing driving permits available.

RELATED BOOKS