Camping Under the Stars
Ask any outdoor enthusiast in Montauk — you will never regret a single experience you have camping in Montauk. Its unique setting allows for an intimate encounter with the coastal environment, where the rugged beauty of the shoreline meets the tranquility of the sea.
Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park offers scenic campsites for trailer, RV, and tent camping at an affordable rate for both NY State residents and nonresidents alike. This campground offers beautiful beaches and amenities including newly remodeled bath houses, a general store, and organized activities during the summer season. Please note that no pets are allowed at this campground.
Hither Hills State Park offers visitors scenic picnic areas and fireplaces, sport fishing, a sandy ocean beach, playing fields, a playground and a 189-site campground on the ocean. Anglers can fish year-round and obtain permits to fish at night. The unique “walking dunes” of Napeague Harbor are located on the eastern boundary of the park, which also has woodlands filled with Russian olive, oak, shad and pine trees. Bridle paths and hiking, nature, biking and cross-country ski trails are available.
Reservations must be made at least one day ahead of arrival but can be made up to nine months to the day of the arrival in advance. Reserve by calling 1-800-CAMP or go online to www.reserveamerica.com. Peak season runs from mid-June through Labor Day and there is a 7-day minimum during this period. Hither Hills is open from April 15 through November 19.
Montauk County Park
Montauk County Park offers outer beach access and outer beach camping, seasonal hunting, salt and freshwater fishing, hiking, horseback riding trails and canoeing. On the County Park property the Deep Hollow Ranch has available popular horseback rides to the beach for park visitors. Also in the park is the historic Third House utilized by Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. There is camping for self-contained trailers and campgrounds for youth scout groups. The park is dog friendly as long as dogs are kept leashed.
Montauk County Park was created from a series of land acquisitions by Suffolk County beginning in 1971. The parks boundaries extend all the way to the north shore from Oyster Pond, around Shagwong Point to Gin Beach by the entrance to Montauk Harbor Inlet. The park includes:
- Big Reed Pond – a National Natural Landmark.
- Montaukett Village – a home and burial ground of the Montaukett tribe of Native Americans, which includes the grave of member Stephen Talkhouse
- Deep Hollow Ranch – the first and oldest cattle ranch in the United States, established in 1658
- Third House – the third residence constructed in the 18th century for cattle keepers, who brought cattle to graze in Montauk each summer. The house is open seasonally.
- Camp Wikoff – this is the area where Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders came to recuperate after the battle of San Juan Hill during the Spanish–American War in 1898
- Shagwong Point is a favorite among surfcasters, who routinely patrol the shoreline between the inlet and the Point looking for Striped Bass and Bluefish. RV camping is permitted here. This is also the entrance for Outer Beach for Off Roading by permit only.
The Third House Nature Center is located at Third House. Staff of the Nature Center coordinates nature programs, hikes and activities for people of all ages. For information about their organization or their events, please visit their website at https://www.thirdhousenaturecenter.org/
Montauk County Park offers beach camping for self-contained campers and trailers only. No tent camping is permitted and a Suffolk County Green Key is required. Call 631-852-7879 for purchasing information. Site availability is subject to change according to beach conditions. The entrance to the park is located at the cabin near the end of East Lake Drive, on the right-hand side. Camping at Montauk County Park is permitted between April 1 and November 11. Reservations must be made online at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks.
Take a Hike!
Montauk’s various State and County Parks, as well as our nature preserves and beaches, offer hikers of all experience levels an exciting environment to explore. Plenty of breathtaking vistas and fascinating wildlife surround you here!
Amsterdam Beach Trail
This popular trail is in a 122-acree preserve that was acquired in 2005. It is located between Shadmoor State Park and the Andy Warhol Preserve. To the beach and back is approximately 2.25 miles. Its highlight is a spectacular arbor of holly trees. The trail head is located at a small parking area at Route 27 and Ranch Road, across from Deep Hollow Ranch.
Camp Hero State Park
This 415-acre park includes woods, beachfront, and historic military facilities including the AN-FPS-35 Radar tower still standing. Wooded and paved trails run throughout the park including Point Woods Trail, Battery 112 Trail, and Battery 113 Trail. This park is perfect for capturing all of Montauk’s beauty in one place–hike along the bluffs over the Atlantic Ocean and experience panoramic views of the waves crashing on rocks ashore beneath the hoodoos carved into the earth, check out the old military bunkers and batteries overgrown with vegetation before catching a glimpse of the famed Radar tower, and get an incredible view of the Montauk Point Lighthouse over the water without even entering the Montauk Point State Park! Multiple picnic and BBQ areas are the perfect spot to grill up something tasty after a long hike. Fishing by permit and dogs permitted on leash no longer than 6-feet. Make a right 1/4 mile before the Montauk Point Lighthouse and proceed to the parking area. Parking fee through New York State Parks applies in-season.
Edward V. Ecker County Park
This is a spacious, quiet, beautiful area located at the end of Navy Road. Reachable by car, the park is located near an entrance to the Hither Hills trails and has a spectacular view of Fort Pond Bay. With a fishing pier that juts out into the bay, this park is perfect for fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and canoeing. During WWII, the Navy performed submarine testing here and in 2003, the park was dedicated in memory to Edward V. Ecker, Sr., a beloved member of the Montauk community.
Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park offers visitors scenic picnic areas and fireplaces, sport fishing, a sandy ocean beach, playing fields, a playground and a 189-site campground on the ocean. Anglers can fish year-round and obtain permits to fish at night. The unique “Walking Dunes” of Napeague Harbor are located on the eastern boundary of the park, which also has woodlands filled with Russian olive, oak, shad and pine trees. Bridle paths and hiking, nature, biking and cross-country ski trails are available. The campground at Hither Hills is open for tent and RV camping from April through November. Reservations may be made up to 9 months ahead of your stay up to the day before your visit. Don’t forget to make a reservation if you’re visiting us during peak season (May through September)! Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day and parking passes are available for purchase for beach use on a daily basis. Restrooms, showers, playground, and a general store are among some of the amenities found here. Call 631-668-2554 for more information.
Montauk Point State Park
Head as far East as you can go — and we’ll meet you at Montauk Point. Known for the famous and historic Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by the very first President of the United States, George Washington, the Point State Park offers an array of beautiful hiking trails such as the Oyster Pond Trail, unmatched vistas, and unique amenities you can’t find in all of our State Parks. For starters, paying a visit to the Montauk Point Lighthouse is an absolute must. It’s the perfect backdrop for the perfect family photo, or just snag some snapshots of that iconic Montauk landscape to share on your social media. The museum inside of the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse will give you an inside look on the construction and history of this landmark before you make your trek up the seemingly never-ending staircase to the top where you can take in expansive ocean and park views from their incredible observation deck. Hit the gift shop before you leave and have a bite to eat at George’s Lighthouse Cafe right next door. Sit out on a picnic table overlooking the blue oblivion of the Block Island Sound. Plenty of seating throughout the park for ample comfort. Parking fee through New York State Parks applies in-season; admission to Montauk Point Lighthouse is paid separately to the Montauk Historical Society.
Napeague State Park
Home to the “Promised Land Trail,” Napeague State Park will showcase a unique, unearthly beauty here on the East End. Multiple wooded trails leading to a historic shipwreck as well as the Old Fish Factory, this hiking option is perfect for those seeking rich, local history and scenic beachfront views of Gardiners Bay. Turn down Napeague Meadow Road and follow it the parking area for the State Park.
Oyster Pond Trail
This is one of many beautiful, scenic trails connecting Montauk Point State Park and Montauk County Park lands. Don’t stop this hike too early–going to the end truly pays off, with a beautiful beach almost untouched by man and crystal-clear waters. Oyster Pond is adjacent to Gin Beach, at the end of East Lake Drive. This area is equally great for kayaking and canoeing as it is perfect for beaching in seclusion. The trail connects to several other trails, including the Seal Haulout Trail, the Ogden Brook Trail, Paumanok Path West, and Money Pond Trail.
Shadmoor State Park
This 99-acre state park with its well-marked trails includes views of Montauk’s breathtaking bluffs, wetlands, and expansive shorelines. It is part of Camp Wikoff where Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders camped under quarantine after the Spanish-American War. There are two abandaned WWII concrete bunkers nestled along the trails, once equipped with artillery guns to protect the coast from enemy invasions. This State Park is a joint effort, maintained by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the Town of East Hampton. The trail head is located at the head of the park’s private parking lot. Parking here is free.
The Walking Dunes
Explore one of the most fascinating coastlines in the world through “The Walking Dunes.” They get their name due to their migration and growth over time as strong winds change the topography of our local environment. Today, some of these dunes are towering up to 80 feet tall! Follow the 3/4 mile long marked trail for a unique, ecologically breathtaking experience! Located west of Montauk off of Route 27 in Napeague, turn down Napeague Harbor Road right by the tennis courts, and follow the road for 1 mile until it becomes a dead end. Parking is alongside the road, and the trail head is located there.