No on-site camping
- Season
- Islands are day-use only and close at night.
- Sites
- None. Stay in Lower Manhattan or Jersey City and ferry over.
- Lodging is in the city, not on the islands.
National Park Service · New York
Statue of Liberty National Monument
Liberty Island and Ellis Island, reached only by the official Statue City Cruises ferry. The whole trip hinges on booking the right ferry tier, and Crown tickets sell out months ahead.
Field briefing
Statue of Liberty National Monument starts with access, not mileage.
Before you go
There is no entrance fee for the islands, but you cannot reach them without a ferry ticket, and Statue City Cruises is the only authorized provider.
The ticket tier you buy is the whole decision: a Reserve ticket covers the grounds and Ellis Island, Pedestal access adds the statue's base, and Crown access adds the 162-step climb to the top. Crown tickets are extremely limited and often sell out months in advance, so book those first. Plan for airport-style security screening before boarding, which is the real time cost of the trip.
- Best window
- April to June and September to October for mild weather, with summer the most crowded
- Signature routes
- Crown climb, Pedestal and statue grounds
- Pack focus
- Water, layers
Statue of Liberty in photos
The landmarks worth the trip. Tap any photo to enlarge.
Location
New York
Established
1924
Size
58 acres
Best time
April to June and September to October for mild weather, with summer the most crowded
Entrance
No island entrance fee, but you must buy a ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises. Reserve tickets run about $25 for adults, with Pedestal and Crown access adding a small surcharge.
Nearest airport
Newark (EWR) about 30 minutes; LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK about 45 minutes
When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
High crowds
Mild and breezy on the harbor, with cool mornings and pleasant island walking.
Pack A wind layer for the open ferry deck and comfortable shoes for the security line and stairs.
Summer
Peak crowds
Hot and humid, with strong sun on the exposed islands and the longest lines.
Pack Sun protection, water, and the earliest ferry slot you can book.
Fall
High crowds
Crisp and clear, often the best harbor weather of the year.
Pack Layers for cool wind on the water and warm afternoons on the islands.
Winter
Low crowds
Cold and windy on the harbor, with the shortest lines and reduced daylight.
Pack Insulation, a windproof layer, and a plan for limited winter ferry hours.
Top things to do
Crown climb
The 162-step climb inside the statue to the crown. Tickets are limited, sell out months ahead, and carry height and stair requirements.
Pedestal and statue grounds
The Pedestal level gives close-up views and museum access without the full crown climb, and the grounds give the classic photo.
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
Included with every ferry ticket. Most visitors underestimate how much time the immigration museum deserves.
How long to spend
Make Crown climb the timed anchor
Put the timed or highest-demand stop first, then keep the rest of the day close and low-friction. For one day in Statue of Liberty National Monument, time Crown climb first, then keep Pedestal and statue grounds and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration close enough that the visit still feels relaxed.
- 1Start with Crown climb: The 162-step climb inside the statue to the crown. Tickets are limited, sell out months ahead, and carry height and stair requirements.
- 2Add Pedestal and statue grounds: The Pedestal level gives close-up views and museum access without the full crown climb, and the grounds give the classic photo.
- 3Use Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration as the slower finish before leaving the area.
Plan your trip
Turn Statue of Liberty's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around access
Plan the transfer before the trail list.
Plan your trip
2 quick tools, already seeded for Statue of Liberty National Monument. Tune the route, pack weight, weather margin, and overnight setup after the access plan is real.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Statue of Liberty National Monument packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Statue of Liberty National Monument asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, Electrolyte mix, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, 4 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Insulated jacket, Traction devices for ice
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
Gear for Statue of Liberty
The buying guides that match what Statue of Liberty asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
There is no lodging or camping on the islands, which are day-use only. Most visitors stay in Lower Manhattan or Jersey City and take the ferry from either Battery Park in Manhattan or Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Ferries from Liberty State Park visit Ellis Island first, the reverse of the Battery Park route. Choose your departure point based on where you are staying and which line tends to be shorter.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
There is no camping here. The booking that matters is your Statue City Cruises ferry.
Liberty Island and Ellis Island are day-use only with no lodging or camping. The reservation that makes or breaks the trip is the ferry ticket, especially the limited Crown tier.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Statue City Cruises sells Reserve, Pedestal, and Crown tickets online. Crown tickets are extremely limited and often sell out months ahead, so book them as early as possible.
- Statue City Cruises is the only NPS-authorized ferry; book through it, not third-party resellers.
- Crown access requires advance reservation, a height minimum, and the ability to climb 162 steps independently.
- All visitors pass airport-style security screening before boarding, so arrive early.
Where to book or verify
Statue City Cruises ferry and tickets
The only authorized ferry provider for Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Book Reserve, Pedestal, and Crown tickets here.
Statue of Liberty crown information
Official National Park Service page on crown access, requirements, and booking.
Search Recreation.gov
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Getting there and practical info
Make the transfer plan before the trail plan.
Weather windows, boat schedules, flight buffers, and backup days shape what is realistic.
Getting there
Get to Statue of Liberty National Monument by solving the transfer first.
- Nearest airport
- Newark (EWR) about 30 minutes; LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK about 45 minutes
- Access rhythm
- Transfer time matters
- Region
- New York
Transfer plan
The monument is reachable only by the official Statue City Cruises ferry, which departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan or Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
Access note
Both points connect to public transit, so most visitors arrive by subway, PATH train, or bus rather than driving.
Local movement
Whichever point you choose, allow extra time for the security screening before boarding.
Pair this with lodging: the best base is the one that protects the departure window, pickup point, or weather buffer.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a reservation to visit the Statue of Liberty?
Yes, in effect. There is no island entrance fee, but the only way to reach Liberty Island and Ellis Island is the Statue City Cruises ferry, which requires a ticket. Crown tickets in particular must be reserved well in advance.
How far ahead should you book Crown tickets?
Crown tickets are extremely limited and often sell out months in advance, especially for summer dates. Book as early as you can. Crown access requires a height minimum and the ability to climb 162 steps independently.
What is the difference between Reserve, Pedestal, and Crown tickets?
A Reserve ticket covers the island grounds and Ellis Island. Pedestal access adds the statue's base and museum. Crown access adds the climb to the top of the statue. Each higher tier adds a small surcharge and tighter availability.
Where does the Statue of Liberty ferry leave from?
Statue City Cruises departs from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Liberty State Park ferries reach Ellis Island first, the reverse of the Battery Park order.