Fire Island National Seashore

Jinx Thinks: 

This was the first time I traveled to a new island! I enjoyed my visit to Fire Island. I got to walk around on the sand, saw the Lighthouse from a distance, and got to meet tons of other pups out on their walk. I can’t wait for the off season so I can go again!

Our Thoughts: 

Unfortunately when we visited (during the coronavirus outbreak), most paths were closed due to the inability to social distance, and it was after March 15th when dogs are not allowed on ocean beaches (they are allowed on bayside beaches), so there weren’t a lot of options for us. This walk was actually one that caused us enough frustration, it brought about the idea for The Tail Guide. We were having a hard time finding information on exactly what was open to dogs at which points of the year, and arriving to almost everything closed on Fire Island was the cherry on the cheesecake, we came home and put our heads together and this idea was born. We did get to mosey around a bit, but all of the boardwalks and path to the lighthouse were closed off with saw horses forbidding us from going any further. The parts that we were able to explore were beautiful, and we are excited to return after Labor Day!

Update: we were able to return after Labor Day, and when the boardwalk leading directly to the Lighthouse was open. It’s a beautiful walk, you can literally walk right up to the light, as well as explore around the other buildings, see the Fresnel Lens (through the huge window in the Fresnel Lens building- dogs are not allowed inside buildings), see the foundation and site of the original lighthouse, and continue down the boardwalk behind the lighthouse to a beach. We learned a lot about the lighthouse’s history from some informational signs along the way too! We already can’t wait to go back (again!)

Fun Facts & Sights to See:

• Know Before You Go: Dogs ARE allowed on ocean beaches between Labor Day and 3/15, but not from 3/15 through the summer. They are ALWAYS allowed on bayside beaches and boardwalks
• Fire Island Lighthouse: the path leading out of the corner of Robert Moses Field 5 will lead you right up to the lighthouse!
• Know Before You Go: Dogs are not allowed on the Robert Moses beach or boardwalk, you’ll see a tons of signs in the parking lot. Don’t let this deter you from the lighthouse path, they are allowed there!