Long Island State Parks Dashboard Permits for 2026 Season

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that the following dashboard permits will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, December 2, and through Tuesday, March 31, for the upcoming 2026 season: Fishing 4-Wheel Drive Access Permit, Surfing 4-Wheel Drive Access Permit, Stargazing, Night/Sport Fishing, Camp Hero Fishing, Nighttime Photography and Regional SCUBA-Diving.

Permits can be purchased online or by phone. There will be no in-person sales. All permits will be mailed to the applicant once processed.

Purchase online or by phone through New York State Parks Reserve America: Visit the New York State Parks Reserve America website or call the Reserve America Call Center at 1-800-456-2267 (Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to noon). A valid email and credit card is required for payment. Orders will be processed in the order received and permits will be mailed to the applicant once processed, within 10-14 business days.

Details on each permit is as follows:

FISHING 4-WHEEL DRIVE ACCESS PERMIT – available for purchase December 2 through March 31 and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31.

Fee: $80.00 in state, $125.00 - out of state

Requirements: Valid vehicle registration, driver’s license, and valid NYS DEC Recreational Saltwater/Marine Fishing ID #

Permit is only valid for fishing at:

• Hither Hills (year-round)

• Montauk Point (year-round)

• Napeague (year-round)

• Robert Moses (Democrat Point, Gilgo and Sore Thumb) — April 1 - December 31, hours vary. The permit also allows the permissions of the NIGHT/SPORT FISHING PERMIT.

SURFING/WINDSURFING 4-WHEEL DRIVE ACCESS PERMIT - available for purchase December 2 through March 31, and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31, 2026.

Fee: $80.00 in state, $125.00-out of state

Requirements: Valid vehicle registration and driver’s license. Must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Permit is only valid for daytime surfing and windsurfing at:

• Hither Hills and Napeague (year-round)

• Montauk Point (January 1 - March 31 only).

• Robert Moses (Democrat Point and Gilgo) – (January 1 - December 31, hours vary) (fields 3 and 4) – ( September 15 - December 31).

STARGAZING PERMIT - available for purchase December 2, through March 31, and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31.

Fee: $35.00 in state, $60.00 - out of state

Requirements: Valid vehicle registration and driver’s license

Permit allows after sunset parking for Stargazing only, valid January 1 - December 31 at:

• Hither Hills - Except July and August

• Jones Beach - West End 2 and Field 6

• Montauk Point - Upper Parking Lot

• Robert Moses - Field 2

• Sunken Meadow - Field 1 and Field 3

• Wildwood - Main Parking Lot

NIGHT/SPORT FISHING PERMIT – available for purchase December 2, 2025, through March 31, 2026, and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31, 2026.

Fee: $35.00 in state, $60.00 - out of state

Requirements: Valid vehicle registration, driver's license, NYS DEC Recreational Saltwater/Marine Fishing ID # Permit is valid only for fishing after sunset from April 1 - December 31, except where noted:

• Captree - Main field, Overlook, Launch Parking Field (September 15 to December 31 only) and Captree Drawbridge (north side only – 24 hour access)

• Hallock - Main Field, Main Beach, Sunset to 7 a.m. access

• Hither Hills - Except Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day

• Jones Beach - Fields 6, 10, West End 2, West End Boat Basin, West End Dock Area (24 hour access) and Green Island (24 hour access)

• Montauk Point - Lower Parking Lot only

• Orient Beach - Main Field

• Robert Moses - Field 2 April 1 to December 31 (24 hr. access), Field 3 September 15 to December 31 (24 hr. access), Field 4 April 1 to June 23 (7p.m. - 7 a.m.) and September 15 to December 31 (24 hr. access)

• Sunken Meadow - Field 1 and Field 3 (24 hr. access)

• Wildwood - Main Field

CAMP HERO FISHING PERMIT – available for purchase December 2, 2025, through March 31, 2026, and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31, 2026.

Fee: $40.00 in state, $75.00 - out of state

Requirements: Valid vehicle registration, driver’s license, NYS DEC Recreational Saltwater/Marine Fishing ID # Permit is ONLY valid for FISHING after sunset at:

• Camp Hero State Park, April 1 - December 31

NIGHTTIME PHOTOGRAPHY PERMIT – available for purchase December 2, 2025, through March 31, 2026, and the Tuesday after Labor Day through December 31, 2026.

Fees: $35.00 in state, $60.00 out of state

Requirements: Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License

Permit allows after sunset parking for the purpose of NIGHTTIME PHOTOGRAPHY ONLY, valid January 1 - December 31 at:

• Hither Hills - Except July & August

• Jones Beach - West End 2 and Field 6

• Montauk Point - Upper Parking Lot

• Robert Moses - Field 2

• Sunken Meadow - Field 1 & Field 3

• Wildwood - Main Parking Lot

REGIONAL SCUBA-DIVING PERMIT – Sold year-round. Permit is valid April 1 to December 31, 2026, hours vary.

Fee: $80.00 in state, $125.00 - out of state

Requirements: Vehicle Registration and Divers Certification card

Valid for SCUBA-DIVING only:

• Caumsett - Fisherman’s parking lot only, 24 hr. access

• Jones Beach - East End of Field 10 only, 24 hr. access

• Orient Beach - 8am to sunset

• Robert Moses - *Democrat Point (four-wheel drive needed to access this area; hours vary)

For more detailed information on Dashboard Permits, please review the Long Island Permit Guide.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518-474-0456. Connect via Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or the OPRHP Newsroom.