Hither Hills State Park occupies a stretch of Long Island's eastern coast near Montauk, where glacial moraine meets the Atlantic. The park contains 115 campsites (tent and RV, max length 20-40 feet depending on site) and features rare walking dunes that migrate across the landscape. Full amenities include showers, flush toilets, and a dump station.
The campground primarily supports tent and RV camping. There are no accommodations for pets, and specific loops are designated for tents only. Group camping is available, and some accessible campsites are present, though no cabins or glamping options exist.
The Montaukett people inhabited this coastal area before European contact, drawn by fishing and strategic access to the Atlantic. During World War II, the shoreline held military installations as part of coastal defense operations. Remnants of old fishing camps and foundations remain scattered through the park. Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the core Hither Hills experience. Air temperatures reach the mid-70s to low-80s °F, and Atlantic water warms into the mid-60s to low-70s °F by July and August. Lifeguards and full park services run Memorial Day through Labor Day. Swimming, boating, and surf-fishing peak during these months. Expect high visitation and crowded campsites. Spring and fall bring milder weather and thinner crowds, better for hiking and exploring the dunes without beach-season chaos.
ElevationRising from sea level beaches to rolling dune ridges that reach heights of 80 feet, Hither Hills offers a surprisingly varied topography for a coastal park. The landscape flows from sandy beaches through undulating dunes to elevated woodland areas, creating diverse microclimates and habitats. These elevation changes not only provide spectacular vantage points for ocean views but also create natural windbreaks that shelter camping areas from coastal breezes. The gentle slopes make for accessible hiking while still offering enough variation to keep trails interesting and provide panoramic viewpoints of both ocean and bay.
Natural Features and SceneryTwo-mile sandy ocean beach on the Atlantic, 40-acre freshwater lake, unique 'walking dunes' of Napeague Harbor on the eastern boundary, woodlands with Russian olive, oak, shad, and pine trees[1][3][4].
Geological RegionPerched on the glacial moraine that forms Long Island's backbone, Hither Hills showcases the powerful forces that shaped this coastline over millennia. The park sits within a unique geological transition zone where ancient glacial deposits meet active coastal processes. The famous walking dunes represent one of the few remaining examples of this rare phenomenon in the northeastern United States, formed by prevailing winds that continuously reshape the landscape. Beneath the sandy surface lies a complex foundation of glacial till and outwash plains, creating the varied terrain that supports both maritime forests and coastal ecosystems. This dynamic geological setting makes Hither Hills a living laboratory where visitors can witness Earth's sculpting forces in real-time.
Programs & ActivitiesDuring summer, the park hosts an organized recreation program with activities like family movies, folk and line dancing, and environmental interpretation programs.