Is there an entrance fee for Ellis Island?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee. A ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises is still required to visit the islands.

How do you get to Ellis Island?

NPS says access is by Statue City Cruises ferry only. Use that company's site for departure times and tickets.

Are dogs allowed on Ellis Island?

NPS marks pets as permitted on 1 of 5 listed things to do, Spend a Day on the Island. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on public transportation, with service animals excepted.

What is the weather like at Ellis Island?

NPS says the harbor tends to be colder and windier than other parts of the city. Winters are cold and damp, and summers are warm to hot and humid.

All parks › Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument

Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Visitor centers: 1^[2]

Ellis Island is part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, a National Park System unit in New Jersey and New York^[3]. NPS lists no entrance fee, but a Statue City Cruises ferry ticket is required to reach the islands^[1]^[4].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

NPS says the islands are reached only by Statue City Cruises ferry, so check that company's site for departure times and tickets^[5]. NPS lists the last entrance into the statue as 3:30 PM^[5]. The listed closures are Thanksgiving Day on 2026-11-26 and Christmas Day on 2026-12-25^[5]. NPS says the harbor tends to be colder and windier than other parts of the city^[6]. Winters are cold and damp, and summers are warm to hot and humid^[6]. NPS says spring and fall run from chilly to warm^[6].

Pets and dogs

The national rule says that where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet at most^[7]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on public transportation, with service animals excepted^[7]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 1 of its 5 listed things to do here, Spend a Day on the Island^[8]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so ask before you bring one^[7].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee, but the ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises is required^[1]^[4].
NPS says reservations are required for 3 of the 5 things to do it lists^[8].
NPS lists one visitor center, the Ellis Island Information Desk^[2].
Hours and fees change, so confirm on the official NPS page before you go^[5].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee for Ellis Island?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee^[1]. A ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises is still required to visit the islands^[4].
How do you get to Ellis Island?: NPS says access is by Statue City Cruises ferry only^[5]. Use that company's site for departure times and tickets^[5].
Are dogs allowed on Ellis Island?: NPS marks pets as permitted on 1 of 5 listed things to do, Spend a Day on the Island^[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on public transportation, with service animals excepted^[7].
What is the weather like at Ellis Island?: NPS says the harbor tends to be colder and windier than other parts of the city^[6]. Winters are cold and damp, and summers are warm to hot and humid^[6].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Ellis Island Information Desk). National Park Service
Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument) in New Jersey and New York. National Park Service
Parking or transportation fee note from NPS: The National Park Service does not charge an entrance fee to visit the museums on Liberty Island and Ellis Island, but a ticket for ferry transportation by Statue City Cruises is required to visit the islands. National Park Service
Operating hours, Park Hours: Access to Liberty and Ellis Islands is by Statue City Cruises ferry only. For ferry departure times and ticketing information, visit http://www.statuecitycruises.com or call 1-877-LADY-TIX. The last entrance into the statue is... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument. National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
NPS lists 5 things to do at Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument: The Baggage Room, Tour the Hospital Complex, Spend a Day on the Island, Research Family Immigration History, Self-guided Audio Tour. Pets permitted on 1 of them (Spend a... National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.