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Camp Hero State Park

4.5 (21 reviews)

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Rocks overlooking the water
Darya M.

COVID REVIEW: Came here during the summer with a group of friends to explore Montauk and eat lobster! You have two options, you can attempt to park at Camp Hero, or if you drive up to the Lighthouse area, there is plenty of paid parking. We parked there and walked along down to Camp Hero. There is a large beach area, with rocks and bluffs. It is scenically beautiful, especially on a sunny day. Living in Long Island my whole life, I am surprised I never really explored Montauk, but because of travel restrictions we thought it was a good opportunity to have a local adventure. Everyone was wearing their masks when needed, and pretty spaced out. There were lots of families as well!

The Camp Hero Radar Tower with the milky-way behind it.
Bobby A.

If you're looking for an amazing park rich in history and wonderful hiking trails then Camp Hero is your jam. Offering beautiful views of the ocean with incredible diversity of wildlife this place is packed full of beauty. It's also one of the places on long Island with some of the darkest sky's making it a great place to look up at night. With the stars above and the sounds of the ocean it will take your breath away. This place was one of the defensive bases for the US so there are still plenty of old buildings from the fort left standing to see and old bunkers hidden in the hills.

Taken from Montauk Point Lighthouse
Heath R.

This might not the proper location; the address might be a mailing address instead of where the park actually is -- east on highway 27 toward Montauk Point, just west of Montauk Point State Park and the lighthouse. For the most part, Camp Hero is an abandoned and decommissioned military base that is now a state park. Vehicle access is limited for part of the year, and the best way to experience it might be in a roundabout manner. I've read a little about the park's role in a government conspiracy involving the Montauk Project, Phiadelphia Experiment, mind control, psychics, teleportation, and mysterious sasquatch-like creatures. Supposedly, while the park is state owned, the military owns the ground beneath -- including a series of labyrinthine tunnels and underground labs. If you're into that kind of stuff, start out on Camp Hero Road. Park along the road just off highway 27 and dive into the woods to follow the Points Woods Trail. This will wend its way through the forest, crossing streams over dissheveled wooden bridges and through torn-down, rusting chicke-wire fences until you hit Battery 112 Trail. There, just on the edge of the camp, you'll see two old gun embankments, which once housed 16-inch artillery. Both are now blocked in with concrete. The camp itself retains almost all of the original buildings -- commissary, gymnasium, and barracks -- as well as the iconic radar dish tower, which can be seen from the Montauk Point Lighthouse. If you're lucky, you'll have a map and can navigate the space once inhabited by 600-plus military personnel. Don't try to continue looping around on the trail; it'll take forever. Instead, approach the base via Points Woods and then exit to your car via Camp Hero Road, which, while it might block traffic, is open to pedestrians. And if you see any sasquatch, mind blast them. This is a wonderful example of abandoned infrastructure, military history, and conspiracy theory run amuck. Worth more than three pages in "Weird NY," for sure!

Amy U.

A fabulous place to park and watch the water below the high cliffs, to hike or to simply take beautiful photographs. After parking, head to your left and walk along the high cliffs until you reach the glorious (to the north) view of Montauk Point Lighthouse. Just beautiful.

View from Overlook Bluffs
Leo O.

Review for the Point Woods Loop Trail and the beginnings of Sea Haul Out Trail. Came here with a group of friends and 2 dogs. Online information for the start of the Point Woods Loop Trail was lacking. Here are the coordinates of the start of the trail: Good maps coordinates: 41.067931,-71.878987 As you drive on Camp hero Rd, you will see a shoulder on the right hand side and that's where you can park. Then you walk about 30 feet and you'll see a sign post directing you to the trail. You just follow the trail and you will see lots of historic stuff. You will see where the weapons used to be and see a sign not to touch military equipment/ammunition if you find any. As you continue walking, you will come across another sign for the Bluffs Overlook. I highly recommend going to the overlook to the ocean and the cliffs. Be very careful not to stand too close to the edge of the cliffs. We thought this was a good place to stop and eat lunch. An amazing view. As you continue back onto the trail, you will eventually walk near the coast line and head towards the lighthouse. On the way to the lighthouse, you will pass a parking lot on the left hand side. You can definitely skip the hike and just drive to the location =P After you get to the lighthouse, just find the concession stand and head down onto the beach and head West. You have to walk for quite a bit before you hit the seal area. We never made it to the seal area but I hope to come back to see them. Sample photos here: http://imag3l.com/?p=1349 The trails were very easy to hike. We encountered some patches of mud but other than that, no rock scrambles or steep cliffs to hike up or down. Even though we came here during the winter, I couldn't believe how many ticks I found on the dogs. Luckily none latched on to me but a friend of ours had an unexpected passenger. This place is also great to see the winter birds if you're a birder. I would definitely come back here again to see the seals and birds. I'm just not sure if I'll bring the dogs back again. MyTracks: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0Vvnvsyv9LRdDh5Z1lfLW4xSGc/edit MapMyHike: http://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/449236979

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8 years ago

A Nice accompanying attraction to the beach and lighthouse. It really helps you appreciate geologic New York.

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10 years ago

Awesome views. Be sure to go around the rocky portion of the lighthouse. Come at night for spectacular sky views.

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Review Highlights - Camp Hero State Park

Loved watching the surfers from the high bluffs, and seeing the lighthouse from a distance is pretty lovely too.

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Hither Hills State Park - General Store w/ Prepared Foods, Sunscreen, Snacks, Sunshirts, Hats, First Aid

Hither Hills State Park

4.1(40 reviews)
0.0 mi

Labor Day Weekend 2021 - Everything is open!…read more I came on a whim of intuition, with tent in tow, that my 3.5 he drive from the city might, just might result in a walk-up campsite for one or two nights. At first I was turned away because I was too late- all the available sites had been given away before 3pm. However, I stayed curious and asked some extra questions about how the walk-up system worked in the event I would try again the next day. To my luck, the park attendant said to come back in a couple hours because I might get lucky with some later call backs... and 4:30pm lucky I got!!! I did have a backup plan- that I would head to Wildwood on North Fork which had plenty of availability if I couldn't get a spot at Hither Hills. Everything was open- even the kitchen making egg sandwiches and salads in the General Store. Lifeguards on the beach. Beach stand selling alcohol. Showers and restrooms all open, and very clean. I stayed in the A section of the campground, which has the most sand on the lots, and backs up to the dunes, which was exactly what I wanted/needed. The campsites don't have electric, but there is a water spout in the middle of some sections. The bathrooms are never too far and the showers are clean. There are some electrical outlets in the bathroom for things like hair dryer and electric razor, or for me, charging a battery pack while I shower, brush my teeth, and do my hair. The beach on this weekend was pristine and perfect. Despite hurricane Ira moving through only days earlier, after the storm, the beach at Hither Hills had barely any debris or carnage and just smooth waves and perfect weather for a long holiday weekend. I didn't bother bringing a cooler or camp stove because I was just one person and there are plenty of restaurants and bars and cafes around to visit by car during the day- and that's part of the fun for me (and every yelper?!?)- exploring local food options! I also really enjoyed visiting the East Hampton library to pick up some free books, get WiFi connected, and recharge phone battery during the day. You definitely won't find a cheaper stay in the Hamptons or Montauk unless you're invited to someone's beach house!!

Genie helped us check in and was INCREDIBLE. She was so kind and friendly and helped us get…read moresituated once we arrived. We were new to the campground and she helped us with how to set up our fire as well. She really made our whole experience 100x better. Thank you Genie!! -J12

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Hither Hills State Park - Campsite A-4 next to the dune.  Set up a hammock & tent.

Campsite A-4 next to the dune. Set up a hammock & tent.

Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park

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Camp Hero State Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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