CAMP HERO STATE PARK, A military base, with Space Aliens, Time Travel, UFO's and more!!
Written: Jun 16 '03 (Updated Nov 24 '09)
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Pros: Very interesting and certainly a different kind of state park
Cons: Still being worked on without any definitive plans
The Bottom Line: This place is like no other state park I have ever visited. It's worth a look!
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Camp Hero State Park |
Camp Hero State Park is out as east as you can travel on Long Island's South fork. Just before making the last bend to the Montauk Lighthouse a small sign notes the park's entrance.
A Place of Mystery
My wife and I like to adventure and explore areas new to us. When out at Montauk we were always looking for that little known road that would take us to a secluded beach.
Many times while doing that in a certain area of Montauk Point, more specifically on the south of it, we would run into ROAD CLOSED, RESTRICTED, and NO ENTRY signs. To add a bit more mystery I know of a web site that does nothing but ask questions about the area. They test it for unusual outgoing and incoming frequencies etc, and state some interesting UFO sitings. It's kind of the Area 51 of Long Island. So it seems I wasn't the only one wondering what the secrets of the area were.
I have since found out that there are numerous books and sites dedicated to the mystery of this base. Through these sites I have found out that it was used as, or had something to to with:
Space aliens, UFO's, mind control, quantum physics, time travel, stealth technology, and much more!.
Interested in more of this intrigue? Look up The Montauk Project. You will find out more than you really may want to know. Believe It or Not.
All I ever knew was that the area was some kind of military site that has been closed for years.
SOME HISTORY
Being on the far eastern end of Long Island, and holding a prominent spot looking out on shipping lanes of the Atlantic coming into and out of New York Harbor, this was thought of as a primary defensive spot.
During the revolutionary war it was used as an area to practice firing cannon.
Much more recently, in 1942 and the following years of WWII it was set up as a coastal defensive installation that had over 600 enlisted men.
The place was named Camp Hero after a former Commander of the US Coastal Artillery, Major General Andrew Hero. He had retired in 1930 but died the year the new defensive bunkers were being built.
Just a note. His father was an officer in the Confederate Army and was involved in the Battle at Gettysburg.
During WWII the US, fearing German invasion from the sea toward New York City, decided to install three battery installations.
Now the very interesting part of this facility is that to keep it hidden the area was built to look like a small fishing village. The guns were built underground and were well camouflaged. Some of the supporting structures were constructed like two story Cape Cod-style homes. The real kicker, to me at least, is that the soldiers gymnasium was designed to look like a church, steeple and all! The cool part is that it's still there. More about that later.
Fortunately, the artillery never had to be used against the enemy and in 1947 Camp Hero was put on inactive status.
In the next few years more thought was put into the Eastern Defense System and some radar was put in. Just after that, in 1949, Camp Hero was no longer needed as a base and some buildings were demolished. In 1951 the Air Force took it over and renamed it Montauk Air Force Station. Those guys sure are original in their names. They started using it for anti-aircraft training.
1958 brought the station into the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment air defense network. This was called SAGE. Now this nationwide system was designed to use a new technology of a digital computer to help locate Soviet Bombers with atomic bombs and then guide our aircraft to them, taking out the incoming threat. This was the first use of a real computer in defense and it was right here at Camp Hero. I suppose this may have been part of all the secrecy of the area.
In 1960 a huge radar tower was erected. It too was cutting edge technology in what it could detect. Though now closed, it still stands there at 120' wide. That's even wider than the Montauk Point Lighthouse is high. This is the only radar of that era still in existence and hopefully it will continue to stand and the base of it will one day house a museum dedicated to its use and the history of the Cold War.
This radar closed in 1981 after a newer more advanced one was put up further west on Long Island. In 1984 the base was transferred to the state and it took them many years to decide how to use the land, how to preserve it, how to present it, and what its future will be.
ENTERING
As I stated earlier the entrance to Camp Hero is in the loop going into Montauk State Park.
As you turn in from the Montauk Point Park you quickly see the difference in care given the area. No well trimmed and manicured lawns and gardens here. The mystery of the place starts immediately. There is a $6.00 vehicle use fee for entering. Do know that the one day only fee also gets you into Montauk Point State Park and Hither Hills State Park the same day. They don't post this, tell you about it, or ask when entering. It is something you have to know or ask about. Just save the ticket they issue you at one park and you are good to go to the others.
Now you will start driving down old asphalt roads. There are a few signs directing you about. You will pass up the battery 113 that is all boarded up. There are many buildings in the same condition. It's kind of like a military base ghost town. There are a couple of well marked parking lots. Nothing fancy here. There are two outhouse like restrooms. One for the gals and one for the guys. I didn't check them out but for the fussy, you may use the ones in very nearby Montauk Point State Park at the concession stands.
No food sold here either. This is a bare bones, desolate, barely maintained except for roads and trails, 415 acre park. There are hiking and biking trails. If you have one, you can bring in and ride your own horse here. The map and trail guide is given at the fee use station as you enter.
There are a couple of neatly kept picnic areas that kind of look out of place.
I had the feeling of snooping around a place where I wasn't supposed to be. It was a bit eerie being there by myself. I did see a few other people from time to time. I am sure it is much more crowded on weekends and in the summer and will only get more so as people discover this place.
D A N G E R !!!
Upon entering I was also given a pamphlet issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers. When was the last time you got one of those? Well, in studying this thing they tell me that some places need to be checked out further because there may still be (UXO) there. That means Ordnance that is live, in other words BOMBS THAT CAN EXPLODE!!. They were very nice about it in that they list the area that still must be checked out and have the removal action completed. The pamphlet lists all the do's and don'ts if you happen upon a (UXO). The US corps state that everything should be alright as long as you stay on the trails. Oh and try not to use any radio frequencies like a walkie talkies and the like. Uh oh! Does this mean cell phones too. Hello, who's calling? BOOM!!
Ok, I'm getting a bit dramatic here, enough already, and back to the park. The park is a huge area. It's great for a hike in the woods and happening upon some old gun batteries and other structures. This park also includes the shore of the southern tip of Long Island as it meets the Atlantic ocean. This is all high bluffs. I suppose about thirty to sixty feet high. Some of the views are dramatic but DANGER. Here I go again.
The bluffs at many points are undermined by the ocean. You can be walking toward the edge on a grassy, solid looking surface only to look down and find out there isn't anything holding it up!! Be careful around these areas but by all means go. Use common sense and stay back a bit. There are some paths and trails that take you somewhat safely to the rocky shore below. The place is very interesting and the rugged beauty is awesome.
FISHING
This is also where fisherman can come and stay overnight with special fishing permits. The tip of Long Island is noted as one of the best surf fishing areas in the world.
You don't need a permit to fish during the day but there are special parking areas near the shore for permit holders.
The park is open to non permit holders sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
HIKING
I mentioned the hiking and biking earlier. I did want to say that this area can be covered by walking from the Montauk Point State Park area. These two parks abut each other. There are a few places in Camp Hero that are still restricted. Signs are up. None of the military buildings are open yet. Plans have them doing so in the future as funds are allotted.
This park has a mixed environment of the military base and beautiful, untouched maritime forests. Wildlife includes deer, raccoon, fox, turtle, squirrel, and many, many different kinds of land and sea birds.
SUMMING IT ALL UP
First of all I was surprised that this park was even opened. The mystery that I had about it has started to open up to me. I enjoyed investigating the area and hope to do more with my wife. That old gym built to look like a church is there as are other buildings. The gun batteries reminded me of the excavations I saw in Mexico, particularly a site called Coba. The gun batteries, much like the pyramids and other ancient buildings of long lost people, were ready to once again be discovered and seen again.
This park is a mix of walking through a ghost town, looking through a fence at an old junk yard, discovering ancient ruins, and quietly enjoying the views of pristine forests and rocky seashore.
For something a bit different, check it out. Just watch out for space aliens looking to abduct you!
Other detailed reviews by popsrocks of places on, and around Long Island
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse Great History, Great Fishing, Great Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Sagamore HillTeddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Wyndham Watch, LI Fine hotel, poor service
Marriott Hotel LI Great Location
Sheraton Hotel,LI Recommended
New York City and so much more
New York State It's got so much to offer
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview
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