Hither Hills State ParkAbout Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park is a New York State park on the eastern end of Long Island in Suffolk County, along the Atlantic Ocean near Montauk and Napeague. It protects coastal dunes, beachfront and forested areas and provides overnight camping and day-use recreation.
The park includes a family campground, a stretch of ocean beach for swimming and surf access, picnic facilities and trails through pine and dune habitats. A distinctive feature is the Walking Dunes - a migrating dune mass accessible by short hikes.
The area was set aside for public recreation and coastal conservation as part of New York State’s mid-20th-century park development along Long Island’s eastern shore; facilities were added to support camping and beach use while preserving dune systems.
Hither Hills is located on Long Island’s South Fork in the town of East Hampton, Suffolk County, east of central Long Island and west of Montauk Point, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
- Walking Dunes: The park preserves a coastal dune system known as the Walking Dunes, a locally uncommon example of a shifting dune environment on Long Island’s south shore.
What to See#
- Walking Dunes: A rare migrating dune system on Long Island’s South Fork that can be reached by park trails and provides an exposed sand dome that moves over time.
- Beach and campground: A beachfront area and family campground that offer swimming, picnicking and overnight camping with access to the Atlantic Ocean shoreline.
Best Time to Visit Hither Hills State Park
Summer for beaches and swimming; spring and fall for fewer crowds and dramatic coastal light.
Weather & Climate near Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1165 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 4° | -6° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 4° | -5° | 91 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -1° - 7° | -1° | 109 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 104 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 14° - 23° | 18° | 84 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 17° - 26° | 22° | 76 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 17° - 26° | 22° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 14° - 22° | 18° | 95 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 17° | 13° | 89 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 112 mm | - | - | 5.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 7° | -2° | 109 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills is located on the eastern end of Long Island near Montauk and Napeague. From the Long Island Expressway (I‑495), take Route 27 (Montauk Highway) east to the park; local buses and taxis serve the Montauk area in season.
Tips for Visiting Hither Hills State Park
- If beach access and quiet dunes are the goal, arrive early in the morning to secure a parking spot during summer weekends.
- Walk the Atlantic-facing bluffs at low tide for shell and driftwood finds - the shoreline changes quickly with tides and storms.
- The nearby Napeague State Park and Montauk are a short drive away - combine visits to see varied coastal landscapes.