At Fire Island’s westernmost end is the 1,000-acre Robert Moses State Park (off Robert Moses Causeway, 631/669-0449, dawn–dusk, $6–8 parking), one of only two sections of the island that you can drive to. A public beach since 1898, the park feels like a smaller, less crowded version of Jones Beach. Run by the National Seashore, it’s equipped with bathhouses, shops, and snack bars.

At the park’s western end is the black-and-white-striped Fire Island Lighthouse (631/661-4876, www.fireislandlighthouse.com; 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Apr.–June; 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. daily July 1–Labor Day; 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (or 4 p.m. after daylights savings) daily Labor Day–mid-Dec; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri. and noon–4 p.m. Sat.–Sun. mid-Dec.–Mar.), first built in 1827 to help put an end to the many shipwrecks that had occurred here.

The current lighthouse dates back to 1858, and at its base is a visitors center (631/661-4876, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. daily July–Sept.). Tower tours (adults $6, seniors and children $4) should be reserved in advance.

Getting to Robert Moses State Park

To reach Robert Moses State Park, take the Robert Moses Causeway off the Sunrise Highway (Route 27) or the Southern State Parkway.