To protect threatened nesting shorebirds, pets are prohibited in the Otis Pike Wilderness and on federally-managed ocean beaches. Beach driving is closed at Lighthouse Beach, Sailors Haven and the Wilderness area. More
The view from the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse tower looking east.
NPS Photo
Fire Island National Seashore's Headquarters is located in Patchogue on Long Island. Get directions to National Park Service sites on Fire Island and to the William Floyd Estate, a unit of the seashore located in Mastic Beach on Long Island.
120 Laurel Street Patchogue, NY11772
All Park Hours
Every Day:Open 24 hours
Fire Island National Seashore encompasses five National Park Service sites on Fire Island, and headquarters and the William Floyd Estate on Long Island. Headquarters, the Fire Island Lighthouse, and Wilderness Visitor Center are open year-round. The William Floyd Estate on Long Island, and 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.
Spring: Temperatures may range from high 30s to low 50s (F). Rain and sun are equally common.
Summer: Temperatures usually range from 65 F to 90 F.
Fall: Temperatures from 70 F in early autumn to 40 F later in the season may be expected.
Winter: Temperatures in the 30s (F) are common, with below freezing temperatures possible.
Entrance Fee-free
This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required.
Parking/Transportation
Parking, shuttle, or other transportation-related fees may apply.
The Fire Island Lighthouse and Wilderness Visitor Center, located on the west and east ends of Fire Island respectively, are accessible by car year-round. Please be sure to check hours of operation or call when planning your visit.
The William Floyd Estate, located in Mastic Beach on Long Island, is open from May 1st to November 28th. The Old Mastic House is closed to the public for renovations. Visitors are encouraged to explore the estate grounds.
Watch Hill and Sailors Haven, accessible by private boat, passenger ferry, or on foot from nearby Fire Island communities, are open mid-May to mid-October.
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).
Every Day:10:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Fire Island Lighthouse is open daily 10 AM - 4 PM. The last tower tour is at 3:30 PM.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Closed for Easter
April 20–April 20
Every Day:Closed
Closed for Easter Holiday
Extended Summer Hours
July 1–September 1
Every Day:10:00 AM–5:00 PM
From July 1st to Labor Day, the lighthouse is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm, with the tower closing at 4:30pm.
Early Closure on Christmas Eve
December 24–December 24
Every Day:10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Fire Island Lighthouse buildings will close early at 1:00 PM on December 24th.
Early Closure on New Year's Eve
December 31–December 31
Every Day:10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Fire Island Lighthouse buildings will close early at 1:00 PM on December 31st.
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.
Closed today
Current Hours (Closed October-June)
September 25–July 3
Every Day:Closed
Standard Hours
Sunday:10:00 AM–3:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:10:00 AM–3:30 PM
Sailors Haven Visitor Center is typically open mid-May to mid-October and is staffed from shortly after the first ferry arrives to shortly before the last ferry leaves for the day. Ferries run shortened hours mid May - June and the day after Labor Day through Columbus Day. Ferries run on a weather-permitting basis and visitor center hours depend on ferry availability. The visitor center is also open for special tours and programs in the shoulder seasons.
The Watch Hill area offers a visitor center, family campground, ranger-led interpretive programs (including guided kayak trips), a 175-slip transient marina with water, electric, and pump-out station; a small convenience store, snack bar, self-guiding nature trail, restrooms, and lifeguarded beach (summer only).
Closed today
Current Hours (Closed September-June)
September 3–July 3
Every Day:Closed
Watch Hill is closed from the day after Labor Day until July 4th.
Standard Hours
Sunday:10:00 AM–3:30 PM
Monday-Friday:Closed
Saturday:10:00 AM–3:30 PM
The Watch Hill Visitor Center is typically open on weekends from July 4th through Labor Day from shortly after the first ferry arrives to approximately 3:30 PM. Before July 4th and after Labor Day, the visitor center may be open limited hours. All operating hours depend on the ferry schedule and may change due to the weather and other factors.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Closed September-June
September 3–July 3
Every Day:Closed
Watch Hill is closed from the day after Labor Day until July 4th.
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, twelve outbuildings, family cemetery, and enslaved crosses, no fee required. Currently, the Old Mastic House is closed to the public for renovations. Visitors are welcome to explore the Estate grounds.
Closed today
Current Hours (Closed/Off Season)
December 1–May 1
Every Day:Closed
Standard Hours
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
The William Floyd Estate grounds are open everyday between May 1 and the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The site is closed through the winter and early spring. While the grounds of the William Floyd Estate will be open, the Old Mastic House may be closed. Check the Calendar of Events for information on special winter programs on the grounds of the Estate.
*Please Note: the Old Mastic House is currently closed to the public*
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.
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:00 PM
The Wilderness Visitor Center is open year-round from 9AM to 4PM, with holiday closures on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Please check alerts under "Current Conditions" for any alterations to the schedule due to staffing levels or weather-related closures.
Closures & Seasonal Exceptions
Holidays
2025–2026
Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025
Closed
Christmas Day
December 25, 2025
Closed
Holiday
Date
Hours
Public WiFi is available.
Free, public WiFi is currently available only at the Patchogue Ferry Terminal.
Fire Island is a favorite summer stop for many but fewer people enjoy its beauty in the spring, fall, and winter. No matter when you plan to visit, you will want to plan ahead.
When and where you go will determine whether you can take your own car or boat, or a passenger ferry to get there. Visit the links below for more information or check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Water Taxi - Please note that lateral transportation typically takes place on foot or by water. There are no land taxis and bicycles are not permitted on all boardwalks.
Staying on Fire Island
Camping options include primitive/backcountry camping and a family tent campground on Fire Island, and a tent and trailer campground within Smith Point County Park.
