Fire Island National Seashore Campgrounds

The cozy campsites at the Watch Hill Campground are only a short walk from the ferry and the beach.

Watch Hill Campground

Open
May 11 - October 20, 2013

Phone
631-567-6664 (campground message)
On-line Reservations

The Watch Hill Campground has 26 tent sites and one group campsite. Most sites have a sandy base, so you'll need appropriately long tent stakes. There is one universally accessible site on a raised platform.

Accessible by private boat or ferry, Watch Hill is located directly across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, and the campground is a 1/4-mile walk from the ferry dock. Campground is within walking distance of visitor center, marina, general store, ocean beach (lifeguarded during summer months), showers and bathhouse, nature trails, and Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness.

A fee is charged. The sites can be reserved for $25 per night with a 2 night minimum on Fridays and Saturdays.

Each site can accommodate as many as 8 people, but no more than 5 may be adults. (At least one person at the site must be 21.) Two small tents may be accommodated on most sites.

The Watch Hill Campground is usually open from mid-May through mid-October. You may make reservations on-line at the link below.

For more complete information and a detailed campground map, visit Fire Island Concessions' web site at www.watchhillfi.com.

The Watch Hill Group Campground may be reserved by bona fide organized groups only.

Watch Hill Group Campsite

Open
May 11 through October 20, 2013
Phone
631-567-6664 (campground message)

At Watch Hill there is one group campsite which can accommodate up to 40 individuals in a bona fide not-for-profit organized group. On the sandy soil at this location, you'll need appropriately long tent stakes.

Accessible by private boat or ferry, Watch Hill is located directly across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, and the campground is a 1/4-mile walk from the ferry dock. Campground is within walking distance of visitor center, marina, general store, ocean beach (lifeguarded during summer months), showers and bathhouse, nature trails, and Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness.

A fee is charged. The sites can be reserved for $35 per night with a 2 night minimum.

The Watch Hill Campground is usually open from mid-May through mid-October. You may print out a Campsite Request Form and get more information at the link below. (Abode Acrobat required.)

For more complete information and a detailed campground map, visit Fire Island Concessions' web site at www.watchhillfi.com.

 

You must obtain a permit before camping within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness area.

Wilderness Area Camping

Closed following Hurricane Sandy
Reopens May 25, 2013, then Open All Year
Check-in at Watch Hill Visitor Center only

A new reservation system for wilderness camping permits begins on May 15 for overnight stays starting May 25, 2013.

Effective May 15, 2013, reservations must be obtained online at Recreation.gov for overnight stays starting May 25, 2013. A cost-recovery fee will be charged for each reservation.

Wilderness camping (backpacking) permits have previously been available year-round only on a first-come, first-served basis in the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness area. As long as the breach at Old Inlet is open, check-in for all wilderness/backcountry overnight permits will be required at the Watch Hill Visitor Center.

Access to both east and west wilderness/backcountry camping zones will be through Watch HIll, since the breach at Old Inlet doesn't allow access to camping areas from the east. See Watch Hill Visitor Center hours (631-597-6455; mid-May to mid-October). Call 631-687-4780 for more information.

You must be prepared for ticks, mosquitoes and heat if you intend to camp during the summer.

For more information, see Wilderness Camping.

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Additional camping opportunities are available at Smith Point County Park. Learn more about Camping on Fire Island.