Montauk Point State Park

Standing at the easternmost tip of Long Island, Montauk Point State Park spans 862 acres where land meets the Atlantic Ocean in dramatic fashion. Established in 1924, the park is anchored by the iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse — commissioned by George Washington in 1796 and still operational today, making it the oldest lighthouse in New York State.

The park’s rugged bluffs and boulder-strewn shoreline feel worlds apart from the manicured beaches further west on Long Island. Hiking trails wind through maritime scrubland and along cliff edges with unobstructed ocean views. The park is one of the Northeast’s premier spots for surf fishing, with striped bass and bluefish running strong from September through November. Birdwatchers flock here during fall migration, when hawks, falcons, and occasional rarities funnel through the point before crossing open water.

Seal watching is a winter highlight — harbor seals haul out on the rocks below the bluffs from December through April, visible from overlook points along the trails. The lighthouse museum offers tours that climb to the top for panoramic views spanning Block Island Sound to the north and the open Atlantic to the south.

The best time to visit is September through early November, when crowds thin, fishing peaks, and the fall light over the ocean is spectacular. Spring brings wildflowers and returning wildlife. Summer weekends draw heavy traffic, so arrive early.

There is no camping within the park, but nearby Hither Hills State Park offers oceanfront campsites just a short drive west.

Explore Nearby

• Montauk Point Light — Lighthouse in New York
• Race Rock Light — Lighthouse in New York
• Gold Mine Bridge — Covered Bridge in Connecticut
• Comstock’s Bridge — Covered Bridge in Connecticut
• Connecticut State Route 169 — Scenic Byway in Connecticut