Summer wanderlust is here in full swing, and it seems like every weekend is an opportunity for an adventure that outdoes the last.
For many New Yorkers, that means searching for experiences that feel far removed from the city without requiring a cross-country flight or days of travel. And while beach camping and off–road adventures might sound like something reserved for California’s coast or North Carolina’s Outer Banks, one of the Northeast’s most unique summer escapes is hiding much closer to home.
Tucked away just 90 minutes from the chaotic gridlock of Manhattan lies a 6-mile stretch of raw, undeveloped coastline that feels entirely a world away. While California’s famous off-road dunes are constantly making headlines for closures and restrictions, New York has its own legendary playground for adventure seekers: Smith Point County Park.
For off-road enthusiasts and beach campers, this Fire Island gem offers a rare slice of coastal freedom, but hitting the sand here requires knowing the rules. Before you pack up your gear, there are a few foundational rules to keep in mind:
- The Seasonal Paradox: It is accessible yet remote. While the main pavilion features classic amenities, the real prize is the dynamic 6-mile off-road highway stretching westward toward the high dunes.
- Wildlife Protections: The beach shares its space with protected shorebirds like the piping plover. Because of this, certain stretches of the sand highway routinely close to vehicles during nesting season (typically late spring through August). Always check the Suffolk County Parks status page before making the trip.
- The Green Key Advantage: Non-residents can access the park, but purchasing a Suffolk County “Green Key” card unlocks massive discounts on parking, camping fees, and off-road permits.
Off-Roading and Coastal Camping Adventures
This isn’t a casual cruise down a dirt path; it is true Overlanding (self-reliant travel over remote terrain). To drive your vehicle onto the coastal highway, you must possess an Outer Beach Outer-Road Vehicle (ORV) permit.
The sand is notoriously soft and deep, which means the county enforces a strict vehicle checklist. To legally pass the entry checkpoints, your vehicle must have 4-wheel drive (AWD vehicles with low clearance are heavily discouraged) and be stocked with a tire pressure gauge, a wooden block (for jack support), a tow strap, a shovel, and a full-sized spare tire.
Whether you’re the type who dreams of falling asleep to the sound of waves from a rooftop tent parked right on the sand, or you prefer a campsite with hot showers and electric hookups, Smith Point has you covered.
The park offers two very different ways to spend the night—one rugged and off-grid, the other classic and family-friendly—but both come with front-row seats to one of New York’s most spectacular stretches of coastline.
How to Get There
- By Car: From Manhattan, take the Long Island Expressway (I-495) East to Exit 68 South (William Floyd Parkway). Follow the William Floyd Parkway straight south for roughly 14 miles. The road will lead you directly over the Smith Point Bridge, crossing the Great South Bay and depositing you straight into the park’s main parking lot. The entrance to the Outer Beach sand highway is located at the easternmost edge of the lot.
- By Public Transit: If you want to skip the driving entirely, take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Grand Central or Penn Station to the Mastic-Shirley Station. From the station, a quick 10-minute rideshare or a seasonal Suffolk County transit bus will bring you right across the bridge to the ocean’s edge.
