We came here on a Saturday afternoon while traveling in the area and we saw the lighthouse in google maps. Parking for the lighthouse is in Field 5. There was an $8 parking fee. Because we arrived after 3p, we asked the parking attendant if we could still get in the light house and he said he thought so since he also thought they closed at 5p. He was wrong.
The walk from Field 5 to the light house is about 3/4 of a mile. There is a walking path that is not very well marked depending on where in the lot you park. We ended up walking down the road partially because we didn’t notice the start of the path. There is also a sign with hours at the start of this trail that we also missed because we didn’t go that way. We arrived the lighthouse around 3:45p. The lighthouse attendant informed us that the last climb was at 3:30p so we could not go up. This was a disappointment. Google showed the closing time as 4p.
I did ask workers in the gift shop of the parking lot attendant was also their staff and they informed me that the lot attendant is NY state but the park is a national park. I still think that parking attendant should have the correct park information on hand. I imagine we were not the first people to arrive later in the day and ask about timing. If we had known that we couldn’t climb the tower we would not have paid to park that day.
The walk was a nice break from driving that day. We saw a lot of birds and a deer. There were several people riding bikes.
It would have been nice to be able to climb.
You must park at parking field 5 and walk the boardwalk to the lighthouse. It is well worth it! Beautifully maintained area. Boardwalk was in amazing condition. Up close and personal with white tail deer. The lighthouse and museums are amazing. I climbed to the top as well. Take your time with the steps. The rope handrails take a little bit to get used to. All volunteers are welcoming and knowledgeable.
Nice park. Climbed to the top of the light house. Be prepared for a climb if you do this. Didn't have a bike so it was a decent hike to get to the light house on foot. Signs at the beach say no swimming so thats not an option. Over all it was nice and the workers were as well.
The Fire Island Lighthouse is an absolute treasure and a highlight of any trip to the area. The climb to the top—yes, it's 182 steps—is well worth the effort. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, Great South Bay, and the surrounding nature preserves. On a clear day, you can even see the New York City skyline in the distance.
The lighthouse itself is beautifully maintained, rich in history, and the guides are friendly and knowledgeable. The museum at the base offers fascinating insights into the maritime history of Long Island. It’s peaceful, scenic, and a perfect mix of nature, history, and a little bit of a workout
1st time visiting this island and lighthouse and well worth the drive. I've been meaning to visit but put off until today(8/28). 1st you're not allowed to drive up to the building, you must park at the Robert Moses field 5 parking lot. From there you have to options walk on the path which a boardwalk or bike it there on a path which is not paved. Do they have bike racks where you can leave it. From the lot to the lighthouse is 3/4 mile or 15-20 minute walk. Adult fee is $10 they have a gift shop and museum available. Brace yourself for the 182 steps
Once at the top the views are amazing. Unlike the lighthouse at montauk here youll have full access to walk outside the lighthouse. Visitors will have a 360 views so definitely gets extra points for it. Make sure to visit the light station. Gentleman at the top its a wealth of knowledge and will answer any questions you'll have about the history of the lighthouse and island. Overall staff was pretty friendly which made my overall experience great. Definitely recommend adding this place to your bucket list. Fee to enter parking area is $10.
For any visitor to Fire Island the lighthouse is a must-see attraction. It's a real adventure climbing to the top and you are richly rewarded with Incredible views all the way to Manhattan on a clear day.
No matter where you're staying on the Island, take the water taxi or bicycle or walk to get there.
DO IT
Amazing lighthouse, great to walk to (from Robert Moses State Park, Field 5), and excellent to spend time at. In good weather conditions one can see the Manhattan skyline, and even calculate the radius of the Earth, based on it.
The lighthouse is an amazing piece of Fire Island history and there was a wonderful guide in the house that stores the original light ( I dont remember her name but it was on 8/1/25), who was so passionate and informative, she had both my teens riveted and in this day and age that is no small feat.
It is definitely a must see and a great bike ride to get there
We had a great time visiting the Fire Island Lighthouse, and it was even better thanks to our local library pass that gave us free admission. I went with my niece and nephew (ages 5 to 10), and they absolutely loved it. The climb to the top was fun and just the right amount of challenge for the kids. Even though the visibility was low due to Canada wildfire smoke, the views were still beautiful, and the experience of being up there was totally worth it. The staff was friendly and informative, and the whole area around the lighthouse is lovely to explore. We’d definitely go back on a clearer day! Highly recommend for families.
A working lighthouse sitting on the west side of fire island. Free to visit at the ground level. $10 to reach the top. Staffs are friendly. Use beach parking and walk or bike over there. Beach parking lot #5 and $8-10.
A beautiful, historic spot with stunning ocean views and a peaceful boardwalk walk through the dunes. Climb 182 steps to the top for amazing 360° views of Fire Island and beyond. Great for families, history buffs, or anyone looking for a scenic day trip. Don't miss it!
This experience has the power to profoundly transform your life, empowering you to unlock a fresh perspective that will elevate your existence to new heights. For those hailing from the South Shore of Long Island, it's an absolute must-visit destination that promises to leave an indelible mark on your soul. By adding it to your bucket list, you'll be opening yourself up to a universe of limitless possibilities. The breathtaking views from a familiar vantage point are nothing short of awe-inspiring, while the staff's expertise, warmth, and professionalism make the visit even more enriching. Thanks to the tireless efforts of local preservationists, the historic lighthouse has been meticulously restored to its former glory, shining brighter than ever, its light rekindled in the mid-eighties after a brief extinguishment. The old dark spooky lighthouse looks much better with the lights on.
Great historical location with a great view. Don't set your GPS to the lighthouse or it will take you down a road you don't belong on. Set it for robert moses field 5 then walk over. Lots of informative displays and you can also climb the 182 steps to the tower. Great views of the surrounding area.
Fire Island Lighthouse is a great place to visit on Fire Island. Parking field #5 is the closest parking lot to the lighthouse and there is a boardwalk from the parking lot to the lighthouse. It’s about a mile walk and is wheelchair accessible (not necessarily handicapped assessable though). There are only two benches in the first half mile and none after that so if you have difficulty walking that far without a break that could be an issue. The museum first floor is assessable by wheelchair but not the second floor.
You can climb up to the top of the lighthouse and I would recommend that if you can.
We enjoyed the light house! 182 steps up to the deck where you can walk out onto...verrry windy that day! It was a decent walk from lot #5, but it was a nice peaceful walk. Staff was pleasant and knowledgeable of thislighthouse as well as others.
We absolutely loved visiting this lighthouse! You can climb to the top, which is such a unique experience.
The views from above are absolutely breathtaking-panoramic and stunning.
The surrounding area is also very beautiful, with plenty of space to explore. There's a lovely beach nearby and scenic paths for a relaxing walk.
It's the perfect spot to enjoy nature, take photos, and soak in the
atmosphere. Highly recommend it for anyone visiting the area!?
A beautiful view of the island. Lots of stairs to climb so not recommended if you have bad knees. About a 15 walk from the field 5 parking lot. NOTE… the lighthouse observation deck closes 30 earlier than googles stated closing time. Only the museum below is open until the close time.
There is a small gift shop located in the museum.
Great location. We ignorantly thought we could park next to it based on the directions on both google & Apple Maps, but when we got there we parked at field 5 and walked from there. We went @ 10:15am on Sunday, wasn’t packed at all! Polite staff @ the museum and price was cheap, parking was $8.. took our 10 year & 17 year old up the tower! Great pics , great scenery , great experience! Next time will bring our bikes instead of walking, we just didn’t know. Only about 1 mile walk, about 18 mins from parking to lighthouse! 180+ steps up to lighthouse
What a beautiful scenery along the way to the lighthouse. We have been here so many times and its just always a great nature walk. The lighthouse is breathtaking as well. Went up with my oldest kid and took my dad here when he visited. Great memories.
On a side note: the walk to the top of the lighthouse is NOT easy. My head was spinning ? be careful.
Have visited the Fire Island Light House area before but we have never climbed up to see the view. But glad we did. The Parks Department Staff enlighten us with history and information.
P.S - Elderly and young children may have a hard time climbing the long spiral staircase.
Beautiful area and beach.
I had a beautiful experience here! I loved the long boardwalk leading up the lighthouse. It was a great way to see the natural beauty, flora, and fauna of the island. The lighthouse itself was great. I enjoyed the (~15 min) climb to the top, and the 360 degree views of the island at the top were gorgeous. The guide at the top was friendly, knowledgeable, and informative, and he taught me about the history of the island and the surrounding area.
One of my favorite attractions and areas on Long Island/Fire Island. Easily accessible from Robert Moses State Park, Field 5 via the beach or the pedestrian walkway. One can visit the Lighthouse itself, or just enjoy it from the outside. The Lighthouse offers tours with a climb to the top, but it’s not necessary to enjoy the lighthouse or the area. It’s extremely picturesque, and a beautiful historic landmark throughout the year.
Nice to visit a beautiful part of American history.
The staff are very knowledgeable of the history of the lighthouse and welcoming to the centre.
The walk to the light house was full of wildlife, and we were very lucky to see a deer.
Great visitor location for history buffs, bird watchers, and keen wildlife enthusiasts.
0.7 mile walk from the parking lot, on a boardwalk surrounded by tall plants and very friendly deer. I went on an extremely windy day with a little chill in the air. Was not crowded. $10 to climb. Guide was very knowledgeable. Steps were wide and felt safe. Wonderful views. Short walk to the beach. ?
