There’s an abandoned military base on Long Island that’s packed with creepy conspiracy theories—from secret government experiments to mind control and even time travel.
It was so eerie, it actually inspired the TV show ‘Stranger Things’.
Now, it’s a state park, and you can still see the old radar tower, hidden bunkers, and sealed-off tunnels for yourself.
Want to know where it is?
Keep reading. 👀
Where Is It?
Camp Hero State Park is located in Montauk, at the eastern tip of Long Island in New York.
It’s about 120 miles from New York City, which translates to a roughly 2.5-hour drive, depending on traffic.
If you’re taking public transportation, you can hop on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Penn Station to Montauk, which takes around three hours as well.
From the Montauk train station, it’s just a short taxi or bike ride to the park.
About
Camp Hero State Park is a former military base turned state park, and it still has an eerie, abandoned feel that makes it one of the most unique places on Long Island.
Originally built as a coastal defense station during World War II, the base was designed to look like a fishing village from above to disguise it from enemy aircraft.
It later became part of the Montauk Air Force Station during the Cold War, equipped with a massive radar tower that still looms over the landscape today.
After the base was decommissioned in the 1980s, it was turned into a state park, but many of the old military buildings remain, making the area look like a ghost-town.
Now, Camp Hero is a great place to explore both history and nature, with crumbling bunkers hidden amongst its hiking trails and oceanfront cliffs.
Why It Inspired Stranger Things
If the whole place already sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi thriller, that’s because it kind of is.
Camp Hero is at the center of one of Long Island’s wildest conspiracy theories—the so-called Montauk Project.
According to the legend, secret government experiments took place here during the Cold War, supposedly involving mind control, time travel, and even contact with extraterrestrials.
People claim that the government kidnapped children for these experiments and then wiped their memories afterward.
Sound familiar?
That’s because this story directly inspired Stranger Things.
In fact, the show was originally titled Montauk, and the first script was set in Long Island before the Duffer Brothers moved the setting to Hawkins, Indiana.
The Montauk Project conspiracy has been floating around for decades, largely fueled by a man named Preston Nichols, who wrote a book in the 1990s claiming he had recovered memories of being involved in the experiments.
While there’s no official evidence that any of this actually happened, the mix of Cold War history, abandoned military buildings, and bizarre urban legends make Camp Hero feel like the kind of place where something strange could have gone down.
Things To Do
Camp Hero isn’t just about creepy conspiracy theories—it’s also a massive state park with plenty to explore.
If you’re into hiking, there are several trails that wind through the woods, past old military ruins, and along the cliffs with incredible ocean views.
The bluffside trails lead to some of the best vantage points in Montauk, where you can look out over the Atlantic and even spot seals in the colder months.
Fishing is a big deal here too.
The rocky shoreline is a prime spot for surfcasting, and it’s known for striped bass, especially in the fall.
Just make sure you have a permit if you’re planning to fish.
If you’re into history then you can walk right up to the giant radar tower—the most recognizable remnant of the old military base.
While you can’t go inside, standing beneath it gives you a real sense of how massive this Cold War-era structure is.
Throughout the park, you’ll also find old bunkers and crumbling barracks, some of which are hidden in the overgrown landscape.
Keep an eye out for the cement towers and sealed-off tunnels—just don’t expect to sneak in, as most of them are locked up.
If you want to do something a bit more relaxing then bring along a picnic and find a quiet spot near the cliffs.
There are picnic tables in the park, but the best spots are the ones where you can sit on the rocks and listen to the waves crash below.
Know Before You Go
Camp Hero State Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, so you can explore during daylight hours but not after dark—probably for the best if you don’t want to stumble into any “government experiments.”
There’s a $8 vehicle entrance fee, but if you have an Empire Pass, you can get in for free.
The vehicle entrance fee is only collected from April till November.
Parking is available near the main entrance, and from there, you can walk or bike through the park.
If you’re taking the train, the Montauk LIRR station is about three miles away, so you’ll need a bike or a taxi to get to the entrance.
There are no official guided tours, but there are plenty of informational signs throughout the park if you want to learn more about the history of the area.
While you can check out the abandoned buildings from the outside, they’re all closed to the public, so don’t expect to explore any underground tunnels.
The hiking trails are mostly flat but can get muddy after rain, so wear good shoes if you plan on walking around.
Also, keep in mind that there are no concessions or food stands inside the park, so bring water and snacks.
Cell service can be spotty, and some areas don’t have reception at all, which just adds to the whole mysterious vibe of the place.
And if you’re planning to fish, you’ll need a permit, which you can get online.
Other than that, just bring a sense of adventure and maybe keep an eye out for anything strange.
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