Ocean Parkway runs about 16 miles along a barrier beach, from Jones Beach in Nassau County east to Captree State Park in Suffolk County. You’ll head east, eventually leaving Jones Beach and reaching the Robert Moses Causeway, where you’ll turn south and cross the bridge over Fire Island Inlet. That winds up at the traffic circle by the water tower in the park, and the beach is just beyond it.
Robert Moses is at the southern end of the Robert Moses Causeway, at the most western point of Fire Island. The park offers nearly five miles of ocean shoreline, and nearly 3.8 million people visit a year.
The speed limit posted on most of Ocean Parkway is 55 mph, with sudden reductions in speed to 35 mph, and State Police enforce them. The limit around the Jones Beach traffic circle is suggested at 20 mph. This is after only about a half-mile from the posted 55-mph stretch. There are times that the parkway will be empty, and it’s tempting to treat it as your private racetrack. Don’t. Near that circle, either slow down beforehand or be ready to brake hard.
Make the turn south on the Causeway and cross the two-lane Fire Island Inlet Bridge, built in 1964. The Causeway ends at the traffic circle by the park’s landmark Water Tower.
Fee Season
What you pay, and when you pay it, depends on when you go. During peak season, May 23 to September 11, it costs $10 a car. Hours for that fee are weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and holidays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It costs $8 per car on weekends and holidays from April 4 to May 17 and again from September 12 until November 1. No one collects from November until the Friday before the first weekend in April. Outside of the fee season parking is available at Fields 2 and 5, except during a weather emergency.
If you come to Robert Moses State Park often, it might be worth it to get an Empire Pass card, which costs $80. It offers unlimited day-use entry at most New York State Parks and State Department of Environmental Conservation facilities. Passes are sold at the Park Office.
The Only Question Is Which Field
Swim and boogie board from any of the four fields, which are lifeguard-staffed. All four fields offer concessions, restrooms and outdoor showers. Groups of any size can use the picnic areas with park grills and tables at Fields 2, 3 and 4.
Field 2 has an 18-hole pitch and putt course that’s open from early April until mid-November, and there’s room for 21 volleyball games. It sits just east of Democrat Point, where surfers and anglers drive four-wheel-drive vehicles on to the sand facing the ocean and the inlet.
Field 3 is the oldest part of the park. It’s closest to the water tower. There’s a large gazebo that’s available on a first come, first served basis. A tunnel under the road connects Field 3 to a boat basin for 80 personal watercraft. The Park Office is on this side, as are fishing and crabbing piers.
Field 5 is the gateway to Fire Island. A three-quarter mile nature walk gets you from the lot to the Fire Island Lighthouse. If you exit from the eastern lot, you can walk on to Kismet and Saltaire. There’s a big playground and a boardwalk the length of the parking area.
Drive on to the Beach
If you want to do four-wheeling, the rules depend on why you’re going out on to the sand. The fee to drive on to the beach is $80 with a NYS driver’s license and $125 if you’re from out of state. There’s also a version that allows you to surf at Democrat Point and Gilgo, from sunrise to sunset. Both are available on line only, as is a Night Sport Fishing permit for $35 with a NYS driver’s license, or $60 if you’re from out of state. The same numbers apply to a Star Gazing permit. You can pick up a Park & Surf permit for $25 beginning after Labor Day and running through New Year’s Eve.
Beach wheelchairs are available free, first come, first served, from any First Aid Office. In summer, there are mobility mats at Fields 2, 3 and 5.
Fishing, surfing and the big playground are open all year, but you need to go from the first to the last day of ocean swimming to get use of the showers. If you bring a group of 50 or more, you need a picnic permit.
