Fire Island National Seashore Sportsman’s Driving (4×4) Permits went on sale September 1 and driving is allowed effective September 15. New this year is you must pay online for your permit, and then pick the permit up in person at the FINS Wilderness (Ranger) Station. Paying for the permit is a pretty simple process. Go to Pay.gov and type Fire Island National Seashore into the search bar. Three lines down will be the Sportsman’s Driving Permit. Click on that and follow the prompts to make your $50 payment.
There also appear to be some changes coming to FINS. The Seashore is taking a hard look at the existing regulations to identify where regulations can be changed in order to create a more efficient and less burdensome driving permit program for both the NPS and community members. Towards that end, Fire Island National Seashore will be hosting a webinar on September 16 at 1 p.m. to share information with the public about the park’s evaluation and on-going project related to the Off-Road Vehicle driving program. Each webinar will begin with a presentation, followed by a question and answer session.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. It is recommended to join the webinars via computer in order to have full use of the webinar tools that GoToWebinar provides. Register for Fire Island National Seashore – Off-Road Vehicle Management Project Webinar on at: Registration URL
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2311869841234007822
Webinar ID 371-976-995 / Dial in: +1 (562) 247-8321 / Audio PIN: 669-325-444
STATE PARK PERMITS
State Park fishing permits are again on sale for the remainder of 2020. Permit sales end March 31 and resume the Tuesday after Labor Day. Vehicle Registration, Driver’s License and DEC Marine registry are required for all permits. Permit details are listed below.
NIGHT SPORT FISHING PERMIT: Fee of $35.00, $60-Out of State. Permit is valid for fishing after sunset only from April 1-December 31, except where noted. Valid for: Captree – Main field, Overlook and Captree Drawbridge (north side only – 24 hr access) Jones Beach – Fields 6, 10, West End 2, West End Boat Basin, West End Dock Area (24 hr access) & Green Island (24 hr access) Hither Hills – Except Memorial Day to Labor Day Montauk Point – Lower Parking Lot only. Robert Moses – Field 2, Field 3 September 15 to December 31 (24 hr access), Field 4 April 1 to June 23 (7pm-7am) and September 15 to December 31 (24 hr access), Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow – Field 1 & Field 3 (24 hr access), Wildwood – Main Field. Sold at: Babylon Headquarters – Permit Office, Jones Beach, Montauk Downs, Robert Moses, Governor Alfred E. Smith/Sunken Meadow and Wildwood.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE BEACH VEHICLE FISHING PERMIT: Fee of $80.00, $125-Out of State. Permit is ONLY valid for fishing at: Hither Hills (Year round), Montauk Point (Year round), Napeague (Year round), Robert Moses (Democrat Point and Sore Thumb) and Gilgo State Park – April 1 – December 31, hours vary. Sold at: Babylon Headquarters – Permit Office, Jones Beach, Montauk Downs, Robert Moses and Sunken Meadow.
CAMP HERO FISHING PERMIT: Fee of $40.00, $75-Out of State. Permit is valid for fishing after sunset only at Camp Hero State Park, April 1 – December 31. Sold at: Babylon Headquarters – Permit Office and Montauk Downs.
CAUMSETT FISHING PERMIT – 500 available permits are sold out.
For more information on permits, call 631-321-3510 or visit www.nysparks.com.
SMITH POINT OUTER BEACH
Good news concerning access to Smith Point Outer Beach. According to the phone call I made on 9/10, the restriction on nighttime beach driving has been lifted for fisherman and there is now 24/7 access to anglers. Outer Beach permits can be purchased for $100 a year for resident Green Key Holders ($50 for seniors) and $250 a year for non-residents. A driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proper equipment are required to purchase a permit. Permits are available for purchase at West Sayville, Blydenburgh, Cathedral Pines, Cedar Point, Indian Island, Sears Bellows and Smith Point County Parks. In season, they are also available at Montauk, Cupsogue and Shinnecock East County Parks. The permit allows outer beach access to Smith Point, Cupsogue, Montauk, Shinnecock East, Cedar Point, Northwest Harbor and Orient Point county parks. The Recreational Vehicle Use permit includes access to designated beaches as well as night fishing in designated parks.
