Fire Island National Seashore encompasses 26 miles of beautiful coastline and 613 acres of fields, forest, and salt marsh at the William Floyd Estate. The dynamic barrier island landscape offers a blend of recreational opportunities and is home to a diversity of marine and terrestrial plants and animals.
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Fire Island is just a short drive from New York City and is a world apart from the bustling communities surrounding it. Explore your national seashore on a ranger-guided canoe tour at Watch Hill; a walk through the globally rare Sunken Forest, a centuries-old maritime holly forest; a climb to the top of the tower at the Fire Island Lighthouse; while camping in New York State’s only federally-designated wilderness; or, on a ranger-led stroll through the fields and forests of the William Floyd Estate.
Group Visits
School Groups
School groups are welcomed at the Fire Island Lighthouse weekday mornings during the school year. Our program is designed to accommodate the fourth grade Common Core Curriculum guidelines. Group size is limited to a maximum of 60 people.
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Our educational program consists of three consecutive 45-minute segments, which include:
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Tower tour climb
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United States Life Saving Service (USLSS) lecture and demonstration
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Forces of Nature (Nature Walk, Lens Building and Boathouse)
Trained volunteers conduct the tower tour and USLSS portions of the program. Every effort will be made to provide a guide for the nature walk segment. Based on volunteer availability, occasionally teachers may be asked to conduct this segment with the use of the self-guiding trail tour, which we will provide.
The interpretive fee is $6.00 per student and chaperone.
Children can bring bag lunches, which can be eaten on the terrace, following the program.
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The gift shop will be open at the end of the program. There is a selection of items suitable for students, ranging from $1 to $5. We encourage your support of the gift shop, which enables us to provide quality programs for a nominal fee.
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This is a very popular program, which fills up quickly so please make your reservations as early as possible. For reservations and additional information call the Program Coordinator at 631-583-5901.
Unique tower
tours
Special tours can be arranged for your group, including sunset tours. Call us at 631-583-5901 to discuss your needs, reservations, and the availability of any tour you would like.
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A minimum fee of $250 is needed to arrange a tour of up to 10 individuals.
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There is a charge of $25 per person over 10 participants.
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The maximum group size for tower tours cannot exceed 20 people.
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Advance reservations are required.
Scout Groups
The 9:30 AM Tower Tour on Saturdays and Sundays, may be reserved by scout groups, during the school year.
The program consists of a guided tour to the top of the Lighthouse (40 minutes).
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A maximum of 30 people are permitted on the tower tour.
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All climbers must be at least 42 inches tall.
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There is a fee of $6 for all participants.
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Reservations must be made in advance by calling 631-583-5901.
