Fire Island National Seashore - Facilities

April 1 - June 30:
Open Daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

July 1 - Labor Day (September 1, 2008):
Open Daily 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

September 2 - November 2, 2008:
Open Daily 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

November 3, 2008 - mid-December:
Open Daily 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

January - March 31:
Open weekends Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Open weekdays 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.,
weather permitting.
Call to confirm winter openings

Phone
631-661-4876

Location
Western end of Fire Island adjacent to Robert Moses State Park. Parking is at Field 5 in Robert Moses State Park (fee charged seasonally); then less than a 1-mile walk.

Closures
Closed Christmas Day.

Special Programs
The lighthouse is operated by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. Tower tours available on the hour (10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00) during hours of operation; reservations suggested. Tower tour requirements: good health & flat footware(182-step climb); children must be 42" tall. Fees: adult $6, senior/active military $4, child (under 12)$3.50, Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society member $2. History talks, nature walks, and special evening programs are also available. Fees vary. Please call for additional information and scheduling. National Park Week "March For Parks" event: Fire Island Lighthouse Tract Trek in April. Curriculum-based education programs available for fourth grade school groups by reservation.($3.50/student and chaperone; teachers and aides complimentary)

Exhibits
Come enjoy interactive exhibits on lighthouse history, shipwrecks and rescues off Long Island, historical photos and records of lighthouse keepers, and the restoration of the lighthouse.

Available Facilities
Museum with exhibits, gift shop and restrooms. Seasonal interpretive programs are provided, boardwalk nature trail, and access to ocean beach. Contact the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society"s website for additional information.

William Floyd Estate

Open
May 24 - October 31, 2008
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday Mondays

Free self-guiding pamphlets for the outbuilding area and family cemetery are available at the Old Mastic House until 4:30 p.m. During the warmer months, come prepared for ticks and mosquitoes!

Phone
631-399-2030

Location
The estate is located in Mastic Beach on Long Island, across the bay from the eastern end of Fire Island National Seashore.

Closures
Museum is closed from November until Memorial Day weekend.

Special Programs
Curriculim-based education programs available for fourth grade school groups in the fall.

Exhibits
Exhibits are available throughout the house, including historical photographs of the William Floyd Estate and the Floyd family. House is filled with furnishings accumulated by 8 generations of Floyd family members.

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 and other interpretive programs (seasonal) are available, including access to grounds and trails. Estate includes 12 outbuildings and a cemetery.

VISITOR CENTERS

Sailors Haven

Open
May 9 - November 1, 2008

Phone
631-597-6183 VC

Location
Middle of Fire Island, across the Great South Bay from Sayville, Long Island. Access by private boat or by ferry from Sayville Ferry Service (631-589-8980) in Sayville,NY to Sailors Haven/Sunken Forest or to Cherry Grove (1 mile walk).

Closures
Call 631-289-4810 (park headquarters) when visitor center is closed.

Special Programs
Rangers provide a welcome, orientation and safety talk for school groups. Teachers should be prepared to lead on-site educational activities. Pre-visit eduational materials are sent to teacher after making ferry reservation (phone 631-589-8980).

Exhibits and a touch table of seashells are available in visitor center. See some of the marine life of the Great South Bay on display in two fish tanks.

Available Facilities
Visitor center, including interpretive programs and exhibits, boardwalk nature trail through Sunken Forest, bathhouses, marina and seasonally lifeguarded ocean beach (June 25-Labor Day, 2005). Bookstore at VC with fun educational items. Marina and snack bar/gift shop open May 21, 2005. Ferry service to Sailors Haven begins May 20, 2005 (631-589-8980). No bicycles, scooters, rollerskates allowed on boardwalks; wheelchairs, strollers, wagons are permitted.

Watch Hill

Open
May 9 - November 1, 2008

Phone
631-597-6455

Location
Watch Hill is located in the middle of Fire Island, across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, Long Island. Access by private boat or by seasonal ferry service from Patchogue, NY. Take the Watch Hill Ferry (631-475-1665) from West Avenue directly to Watch Hill, or take the Davis Park Ferry (631-475-1665) and walk 1 mile to Watch Hill.

Closures
Closed mid-October through mid-May.

Special Programs
During the spring, a guided walk will be offerd at 2 pm each Sunday. Rangers provide a welcome, orientation and safety program for school groups. Teachers should be prepared to lead on-site activities. Pre-visit educational materials are sent after ferry reservation.

Exhibits
Exhibits on various natural history topics available seasonally in the Watch Hill Visitor Center. View marine life of the Great South Bay in our fish tank.

Available Facilities
Facilities and services include a nature trail, visitor center (staffed seasonally for interpretive programs) and ranger office, 195-slip marina, seasonally lifeguarded beach (mid-June - Labor Day), bathhouse. Bookstore at VC with fun educational items. Park campground, marina and convenience store open mid-May. Ferry service to Watch Hill runs May 12 through mid-October, 2006 (631-475-1665). No bicycles, scooters, rollerskates allowed on the boardwalks; wheelchairs, strollers and wagons are permitted. Pets are permitted, but must be kept leashed and are not allowed in public buildings, on lifeguarded beaches or near areas closed for endangered species. Pets may not be tied to any dock, and all excrement must be picked up and disposed of properly.

WILDERNESS INFORMATION CENTERS

Wilderness Visitor Center

Open
January 1 - March 30, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday (weather & staffing permitting; ranger-conducted programs for school groups on weekdays by appointment)

April 2 - June 28, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday (ranger-conducted programs for school groups on weekdays by appointment)

June 29 - September 1, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wednesday - Thursday and 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday - Sunday

September 3 - December 31, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday - Sunday

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
Ranger-led interpretive programs are offered seasonally. Other special programs will be offered occasionally. 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: seashells, native plants, wildlife, and endangered species. See marine life from the Great South Bay in our new aquarium!

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. Bookstore with fun educational items. Backcountry camping in the Wilderness Area requires a free permit available at Visitor Center. Bicycles, scooters, rollerskates are prohibited on boardwalk; wheelchairs are permitted.