'Stranger Things' Fans Could Soon Pitch Tents At Camp Hero

MONTAUK, NY — Good news for "Strange Things" fans: You might soon be able to pitch a tent at Camp Hero State Park, the site of the former military base that reportedly inspired the hit series.

On Thursday, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced a request for proposals from potential private sector partners to develop and operate a camping concession at Camp Hero State Park in Montauk.

Development opportunities to be considered include: tents and platforms, including traditional tents, yurts, hardened tents and “glamping;" recreational vehicle sites, with or without utilities hook-up; portable or trailered camping units, including “tiny houses” and other prefabricated or self-contained units; and traditional cabins and cottages including modular and stick-built units, a release said.

Proposals are due by 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, a release said. For more information or to receive a copy of the RFP’s contact State Parks’ Concessions Management Bureau at concessions@parks.ny.gov or 518.486.2932.

The 415-acre park, the site of a former military base, features coastal bluffs rising as high as 80' above sea level, "offering a breathtaking panorama that includes views of the Atlantic Ocean, Montauk Point, and the nearby Montauk Lighthouse," the release said.

Hiking, beach-combing, surfing, fishing, sightseeing, birdwatching, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are currently enjoyed by visitors at the park.

But the mystery surrounding Camp Herohas captivated many.

The park was originally used as a military base during World War II and the Cold War; the base was decommissioned in the 1980s and is now owned by the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Camp Hero State Park officially opened to the public on Sept. 18, 2002.

Camp Hero, with a large radar tower, has caused rumors to swirl about "mind control" and "time travel" theories; stories run rampant about people allegedly engaged in secret training underground, with secret doorways to testing facilities.

More commonly known as The Montauk Project, some believe that the United States government has engaged in a series of secret experiments there. The intrigue surrounding the site is said to be the inspiration for the Netflix "Stranger Things" series — originally titled "Montauk" — according to multiple reports, including a post by BusinessInsider.com.

Patch photo by Patch Poster Ashley Milito.