Camp Hero State Park
Located on the eastern tip of Long Island in Montauk, Camp Hero State Park is one of the most distinctive public parks on the East End. The park combines dramatic Atlantic Ocean bluffs, former military structures, hiking and biking trails, surf-fishing access, coastal wildlife habitat, and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Suffolk County – the massive AN/FPS-35 radar tower.
Today, Camp Hero is both a scenic coastal destination and an important historic site. Visitors come for ocean views, photography, trails, birdwatching, fishing, and the unusual Cold War atmosphere created by the park’s abandoned military features. The site is also closely associated with The Montauk Project, one of Long Island’s best-known conspiracy legends, although the park’s documented military history stands firmly on its own.
History of Camp Hero
Camp Hero was established by the U.S. Army in 1942 during World War II as part of a coastal defense system designed to protect the approaches to New York Harbor, New York City, and the northeastern United States. Its position in Montauk, near the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean, Block Island Sound, and the eastern approaches to Long Island Sound, made it a valuable military location.
During World War II, the site included coastal gun batteries, observation areas, support buildings, and camouflaged structures designed to resemble a small fishing village. This unusual design helped conceal parts of the military installation from potential enemy observation.
After World War II, portions of the site became Montauk Air Force Station. During the Cold War, the property served as part of America’s air-defense network, monitoring aircraft approaching the East Coast. Radar operations eventually ended in 1981, and Camp Hero State Park opened to the public in 2002.
The Famous Radar Tower
The most recognizable feature of Camp Hero State Park is the towering AN/FPS-35 radar installation, which still rises above the landscape near the ocean bluffs.
The radar was built during the Cold War to detect aircraft approaching North America from long distances. Although it is no longer operational, the structure remains one of the most photographed military relics on Long Island. Its large antenna and concrete tower give the park a striking silhouette and help explain why Camp Hero has remained such a memorable place for visitors.
The radar tower is visible from designated areas of the park, but the structure itself is closed to the public. Visitors should respect all fencing, warning signs, and closed areas.
Hiking, Biking, and Nature Trails
Camp Hero State Park includes trails that pass through woods, open fields, coastal terrain, and former military areas. The park is popular with hikers, mountain bikers, runners, photographers, and visitors looking for a quieter alternative to some of the busier destinations in The Hamptons.
Popular activities include hiking, biking, birdwatching, photography, wildlife observation, and exploring open areas where former military features can be viewed safely from permitted locations.
Atlantic Ocean Bluffs
One of Camp Hero’s most impressive natural features is its high coastal bluffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. These viewpoints provide sweeping ocean scenery and help define the wild, windswept character of eastern Montauk.
The bluffs are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous. Erosion and unstable edges are ongoing concerns, so visitors should remain on designated trails, obey posted warnings, and stay well back from the edge.
Surf Fishing and Outdoor Recreation
Camp Hero is a popular destination for surfcasters because of its location near productive waters at the eastern end of Long Island. The park’s shoreline is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, nearby Block Island Sound, and the broader marine environment surrounding Montauk.
Anglers may target striped bass, bluefish, false albacore, fluke, black sea bass, and other seasonal species, depending on current regulations. Visitors interested in the broader fishing culture of the region can also explore our guide to fishing on Long Island.
Military Structures and Historic Features
Throughout Camp Hero, visitors can see reminders of the site’s military past. Former gun emplacements, concrete bunkers, support buildings, radar-related structures, roadways, and observation areas remain part of the park landscape.
Many former military structures are sealed or restricted for safety, preservation, and environmental reasons. These areas should not be entered. The best way to experience the park’s history is to view the surviving structures from open public areas and designated trails.
Camp Hero and the Montauk Project
Camp Hero is widely known in popular culture because of The Montauk Project, a set of conspiracy claims alleging that secret experiments involving mind control, time travel, teleportation, and other unusual subjects took place at the former military site.
The stories have appeared in books, documentaries, podcasts, and online discussions, helping make the radar tower and former base famous far beyond Montauk. However, the Montauk Project is generally treated as conspiracy folklore rather than verified history.
Wildlife and Conservation
Camp Hero protects coastal habitats that support birds, mammals, marine life, and native plants. The park’s mix of woods, grasslands, shoreline, and bluff habitat makes it valuable for wildlife observation, especially during migration seasons.
Visitors may see osprey, hawks, shorebirds, songbirds, deer, foxes, and other wildlife. The park also contributes to the larger protected landscape of eastern Suffolk County, near other important natural areas such as Hither Hills State Park, Montauk Downs State Park, and Montauk Point Lighthouse.
Vicinity of the Park
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Montauk, New York |
| County | Suffolk County |
| Park Type | New York State Park |
| Size | Approximately 754 acres |
| Opened as State Park | 2002 |
| Original Use | World War II coastal defense installation |
| Cold War Use | Montauk Air Force Station |
| Famous Landmark | AN/FPS-35 Radar Tower |
| Waterfront | Atlantic Ocean |
| Nearby Waterways | Block Island Sound and Long Island Sound |
| Popular Activities | Hiking, biking, photography, birdwatching, sightseeing, and surf fishing |
| Related Topic | The Montauk Project |
Camp Hero State Park is one of the most memorable destinations in Montauk, offering a rare combination of natural beauty, military history, oceanfront scenery, and cultural mystery. Whether visitors come for the trails, the radar tower, the Atlantic bluffs, surf fishing, or the enduring legend of The Montauk Project, the park remains one of the most distinctive places on Long Island.
