Fire Island Lighthouse
Babylon, NY
A tall striped lighthouse on a barrier island, reached by a boardwalk through dunes and maritime forest from the Robert Moses State Park parking lot. Climb the tower for a view over ocean and bay, and bring bug spray in summer.
The Fire Island Lighthouse in Fire Island National Seashore is 168 feet (about 51 m) tall and has been in service since 1858. It replaced a 74-foot predecessor tower from 1826. The original first-order Fresnel lens is now on display in the visitor center. In the early 1970s the Coast Guard discontinued the light; it was reactivated in 1986, and since 2006 the Preservation Society has operated the lighthouse as a private aid to navigation.
You can reach it on foot from Robert Moses State Park, Field 5. Allow about two to three hours for the walk, the tower climb and the surroundings. After a windstorm in March 2023, part of the concrete shell of the tower came loose; the tower was stabilized with a steel mesh and reopened in August 2023 (as of October 2026; check ahead that the tower is open). In summer, bring insect repellent.
- Nearest town
- Babylon, NY
- Category
- Scenic viewpoints
- GPS
- 40.6320, -73.2185
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Heckscher State Park CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Fire Island LighthouseToiletsNo dogs
- Usdan Music and Arts CampCampsite12 mi from Fire Island Lighthouse
- Park Shore Day CampCampsite14 mi from Fire Island Lighthouse
- Kenwal Day CampCampsite15 mi from Fire Island Lighthouse
- Battle Row CampgroundMotorhome stopover15 mi from Fire Island LighthouseMotorhomes
- Cathedral PinesCampsite22 mi from Fire Island Lighthouse
All campsites in New York · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fire Island Lighthouse?
Fire Island Lighthouse is in Babylon, NY, at GPS 40.6320, -73.2185. It is about 42 mi from New York.
Can you camp near Fire Island Lighthouse?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Heckscher State Park Campground, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Fire Island Lighthouse?
Places worth a stop nearby: State Line Lookout, Palisades (44 mi), Liberty State Park (44 mi), Yale University Campus (49 mi) and Paterson Great Falls (54 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fire Island Lighthouse?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)