Camp Hero State Park

Camp Hero State Park is a protected area on the eastern tip of Long Island near Montauk in New York State. The site covers more than 750 acres of coastal forest, sandy bluffs, and several trails leading to the ocean.

The site opened in 1942 as an Army coastal defense post and remained in military use through the 1980s. After that, the area was abandoned and later released to the public as a park.

The name comes from the site's military past, and visitors today notice concrete bunkers and gun emplacements scattered among the trees along coastal trails. The old structures now blend into the landscape, attracting hikers who enjoy combining nature with traces of the past.

Trails run through forests and along bluffs, with some sections that may be sandy or uneven. Visitors in summer should bring water, as shade is limited and the sun near the ocean can feel intense.

The large radar antenna from the Cold War era still rises above the trees, and its shape reminds many visitors of science fiction films from the 1950s. Few know that this system was once part of a nationwide early warning network and remains visible to the public today.

Location: New York

Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/camphero/details.aspx

GPS coordinates: 41.06667,-71.86778

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22