• Miles of uncrowded white sandy beaches extend to the horizon, separating the clear blue ocean and undulating grass-covered dunes.

    Fire Island

    National Seashore New York

Times to Visit: Fall

Riders on ferry view September sunset over the Great South Bay.
 
A sign of autumn: red-tinged leaflets of poison ivy are intertwined with green shrubs in front of the red-roofed lighthouse keepers quarters.

Virginia creeper and poison ivy vines turn a bright red in the fall. Be aware that even when it loses its leaves, poison ivy can still cause a fiery rash.

After Labor Day, the air usually cools and summer crowds dwindle. After the first frost, mosquito and tick populations decline. Although ferry service is reduced, you may still enjoy Fire Island National Seashore.

School groups and education programs are in full swing in early fall.

By mid-fall it is the perfect time to enjoy nature and the backcountry portions of Fire Island. Hiking and backcountry camping in the Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, although available year-round, is now recommended.

Catch the annual migration of birds and monarch butterflies. Watch as the poison ivy turns red across the island and see why some believe that it was this plant that led to the name "Fire Island."

Autumn is fishing and hunting season (waterfowl only). Proper permits (some fees are applied) can be obtained at the Wilderness Visitor Center and the West District Ranger Station (checkpoint).


Facilities Open:

Special Events and Programs
Special Programs this Week

 
Yellow goldenrod flowers.

Fall-blooming goldenrod behind the dunes and in the swale provides nectar for migrating monarch butterflies.

Learn More:

Fire Island can be a great place to observe the annual fall migration of birds, butterflies and dragonflies.

Fire Island National Seashore is part of the coastal migratory route of the North American Atlantic Flyway.

  • Birdwatching Birdwatching

    is a great way to enjoy Fire Island's wildlife. Read More

  • Check Today's Forecast Check Today's Forecast

    Link to local weather and tides. Read More

  • Wilderness Visitor Center & Backcountry Permit Desk Hours Wilderness Visitor Center & Backcountry Permit Desk Hours

    Rangers issue permits for wilderness camping when this office is open. Read More

Did You Know?

Close-up view of roots and sand grains beneath golden stems.

Tiny rootlets of the American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata) and mycorrhyzal fungi hold together the grains of sand that make up sand dunes on Fire Island. You can help protect the dunes by not walking or driving over the beach grass. More...