The Radar Tower: Montauk's Most Visible Mystery
If you've driven out to Montauk Point, you've seen it—that enormous white radar dome sitting on the bluff like something from a Cold War film. It's real, it's still there, and it belongs to Camp Hero State Park. Built in the 1950s as part of the Air Force's coastal defense system, the tower is now decommissioned but remains the park's most recognizable landmark. You can't climb it or get close enough to touch it, but you can see it from most of the park's trails, and from certain angles on the eastern beaches, it frames the horizon like a monument to the Cold War era.
The tower sits within 733 acres of protected parkland, which means the real draw is what surrounds it, not the structure itself. Most visitors spend their time on the network of trails that wind through scrub oak, pitch pine, and beach plum. In spring, the poison ivy is dormant but present—learn to identify three leaves and stay alert. By mid-June, the trails become overgrown and buggy. October through March is when the park feels most itself: quiet, windswept, and genuinely worth the visit.
Trail Conditions and What to Expect
The main loop trails at Camp Hero are well-maintained but uneven. Wear proper footwear. The Shadmoor Trail and the Radar Station Trail are the most direct routes to views of the tower and the surrounding terrain. Neither is strenuous, but both can get muddy in wet weather, and the ground near the bluffs can be unstable. The park closes at sunset year-round, so plan your visit accordingly. Winter storms sometimes close access entirely—call ahead if you're making a trip in February or March.
From the trails, you'll see why the military chose this spot. The bluffs command views of the Atlantic and Block Island Sound, and on a clear day, you can see all the way east to Montauk Point Lighthouse. Birders come here regularly, especially in fall migration. Photographers appreciate the raw, unmanicured quality of the landscape.
Getting There and Planning Your Visit
Camp Hero is located at the northern edge of Montauk, before you reach Montauk Point itself. It's free to enter and open year-round. The parking area is small—arrive early if you're going on a weekend, or skip weekends entirely if you want solitude. There are no facilities, no food, no bathrooms. Bring water and dress in layers, especially from November through April when wind off the Atlantic is relentless.
If you're interested in Montauk's military history and infrastructure, Camp Hero pairs well with a visit to Montauk Point Lighthouse and a walk along the adjacent beaches. For a fuller day, check out nearby surfing spots if you're equipped for winter water.
Local tip: Visit in early winter, around November or December, when the trails are dry but the crowds have vanished and the light is sharp and low. Bring binoculars.
Find a place to stay in Montauk and make Camp Hero part of your itinerary.