Fire Island National Seashore is a National Seashore in New York. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 2 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Fire Island
We matched 2 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Fire Island. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Lighthouses (1)
Wilderness Areas (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Fire Island the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 58° (ENE) at the June solstice and 121° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 303° (WNW) in June to 239° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 73° in summer but only 26° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:15 AM | 7:57 AM | 4:07 PM | 4:49 PM | 243° | 9h 35m |
| February | 6:47 AM | 7:25 AM | 4:49 PM | 5:27 PM | 254° | 10h 40m |
| March | 7:05 AM | 7:41 AM | 6:23 PM | 6:59 PM | 268° | 11h 54m |
| April | 6:14 AM | 6:51 AM | 6:55 PM | 7:31 PM | 284° | 13h 17m |
| May | 5:36 AM | 6:15 AM | 7:23 PM | 8:03 PM | 296° | 14h 27m |
| June | 5:21 AM | 6:02 AM | 7:44 PM | 8:26 PM | 302° | 15h 04m |
| July | 5:34 AM | 6:15 AM | 7:43 PM | 8:23 PM | 300° | 14h 49m |
| August | 6:03 AM | 6:41 AM | 7:14 PM | 7:52 PM | 290° | 13h 49m |
| September | 6:33 AM | 7:09 AM | 6:27 PM | 7:03 PM | 275° | 12h 30m |
| October | 7:04 AM | 7:41 AM | 5:36 PM | 6:13 PM | 260° | 11h 10m |
| November | 6:40 AM | 7:20 AM | 3:55 PM | 4:35 PM | 246° | 9h 56m |
| December | 7:10 AM | 7:53 AM | 3:43 PM | 4:26 PM | 240° | 9h 17m |
Computed for the park's reference point (40.6967, -73.0001); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Fire Island, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from March through September. June gives the longest window (about 4.7 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 20° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 6 (bright suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:09 AM – 5:09 AM | 0.0 | 11° |
| March | 4:20 AM – 5:30 AM | 1.2 | 17° |
| April | 2:20 AM – 4:30 AM | 2.2 | 20° |
| May | 12:15 AM – 3:35 AM | 3.3 | 20° |
| June | 10:32 PM – 3:12 AM | 4.7 | 20° |
| July | 10:23 PM – 1:43 AM | 3.3 | 20° |
| August | 9:35 PM – 11:45 PM | 2.2 | 20° |
| September | 8:36 PM – 9:46 PM | 1.2 | 17° |
| October | 7:44 PM – 7:44 PM | 0.0 | 11° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
6 Estimated Bortle 6 — Bright suburban sky. The Milky Way is only visible near the zenith; the sky glows grey-orange in photos.
Weather & best time to visit
Spring: Temperatures may range from high 30s to low 50s (F). Rain and sun are equally common. Summer: Temperatures usually range from 65 F to 90 F. Fall: Temperatures from 70 F in early autumn to 40 F later in the season may be expected. Winter: Temperatures in the 30s (F) are common, with below freezing temperatures possible.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show September as the clearest month (about 48% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (70%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters are located in Patchogue, New York, on Long Island. Fire Island National Seashore Headquarters: Via Long Island Expressway/I-495: Take Exit 61 (Patchogue-Holbrook Road) to Waverly Ave. Head south on Waverly Ave to West Ave. Turn right onto Laurel Street. Via NY-27: Take Exit 52 onto Waverly Ave. Head south on Waverly Ave to West Ave. Turn right onto Laurel Street.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Astronomy
- Stargazing
- Boating
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Fishing
- Saltwater Fishing
- Food
- Guided Tours
- Hunting and Gathering
- Gathering and Foraging
- Hunting
- Junior Ranger Program
- Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
Nearby parks
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CT
NY/NJ
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