Fees

While there are no entrance fees for Fire Island National Seashore, you must plan to pay parking and/or transportation fees in order to get to most parts of Fire Island.

• To get to the Fire Island Lighthouse, on the western end of the national seashore, you must either park at Robert Moses State Park which charges a fee in season, or walk from the community of Kismet.To get to Kismet, you'll need to pay for parking and ferry transportation fromFire Island Ferries.

New York State's Empire Passport may be purchased to provide unlimited day use vehicle entry at many state parks.

• To visit the Wilderness Visitor Center, on the eastern end of the park, you must park at Smith Point County Park which also charges a parking fee in season.

Suffolk County residents may purchase a Green Key card which provides reduced fees for park activities in Suffolk County Parks.

• To get to Sailors Haven from Sayville, expect to pay for parking (about $9/car/day) in addition to your ferry fares. One-way ferry fares are $6.50/adult, $4.00/child under age 11, with a small discount for the purchase of a round-trip ticket. (For more information, see Sayville Ferry Service)
  
• The ferry from Patchogue to Watch Hill provides free parking at this time. One-way ferry fares are $7.00/adult, $4.50/child (2-11), $6.25/senior (age 65 and over), $4.50/dog (round trip). Excess baggage and camping equipment is charged a separate fee. (For more information, see Davis Park Ferry Company)

Additional fees are charged by a park concessioner (Fire Island Concessions, LLC) for use of the marinas at Sailors Haven and Watch Hill, and for the campground at Watch Hill. Fire Island Concessions manages reservations for the Watch Hill Campground, which usually fills early for summer weekends.

Interpretive and educational program fees are charged by one of the park's cooperating associations, the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society.  

Fees are charged for permits associated with several activities within park boundaries.

The "America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass" replaces the current "Golden Age Passport." All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.  Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

Effective January 1, 2007, the National Park Service is participating in the sale of the interagency pass series collectively known as the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

The four passes in the interagency program are:

1) America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Annual Pass:  Cost $80. 

(replaces the Golden Eagle Passport, National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Hologram)

This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the pass holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (children under 16 are admitted free)  The pass can be obtained by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass.

2) America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Senior Pass: Cost $10. 
(replaces the Golden Age Passport)
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).  The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.  In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

3) America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Access Pass:  Free. 
(replaces the Golden Access Passport)
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.  Documentation is required to obtain the pass.  Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veterans Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

4) Americathe Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Volunteer Pass: Free. 
(New!)
This pass is for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours on a cumulative basis.  It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). Contact Irene Rosen at 631-687-4765 to learn about volunteer opportunities at Fire island National Seashore.

Since there are no park entrance fees and the park's campground is operated by a concessioner, none of the passports provide discounts or cost savings at Fire Island National Seashore.

As a convenience for visits to other national parks that do charge entrance fees, however, eligible persons may obtain the Senior Pass and the Access Pass at park headquarters in Patchogue during normal office hours. (Remember to bring your check or a $10 money order if applying for your initial Senior Pass.)