Fire Island National Seashore - Wilderness Camping (U.S. National Park Service)

Wilderness Area Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping (backpacking) is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness area, but you must be prepared for ticks, mosquitoes and heat if you intend to camp during the summer. Late fall through early spring are the best times to camp to avoid these conditions.

A required permit can be obtained from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Watch Hill Visitor Center (631-597-6455; staffed on weekends mid-May to mid-October and daily during the summer) or Wilderness Visitor Center (631-281-3010; Wednesday through Sunday, year-round) when staffed.

Four backpackers hike down long stretch of beach.

You may prefer to hike down the beach to reach the required distance into the designated wilderness for camping. However, there are only a few appropriate cross-over sites to get behind the primary dune.

There is currently no fee for a backcountry permit, but only a limited number of permits can be issued at any one time.

Camping is restricted to no more than 12 people at a time in the eastern section (with a maximum group size of 4 campers/site) and no more than 24 people the western section (with a maximum group size of 8 campers/site).

At least one member of each camping party must be 21 years of age or older in order to obtain a backcountry camping permit.

There is a 3-night limit of stay for wilderness camping.

Campers must hike at least 1½ miles into the wilderness from the Wilderness Visitor Center at Smith Point or 1 mile from the Watch Hill Ranger Station.

Bring drinking water & all necessary supplies, and carry out all garbage. Open fires are prohibited; use a backcountry stove for cooking.

Choose your campsite carefully to avoid damaging fragile dune vegetation.

Campsites should be north of the primary dune, not on the beach face, in a sandy area with no vegetation, and at least one mile inside the wilderness boundary.

There are limited dune crossings from the wilderness to the beach. Dogs and other pets are not allowed during plover nesting season: March 15 - Labor Day; at other times they are permitted but must be on a 6' leash at all times.

Take safety precautions for ticks and mosquitoes. Plan for quickly changing weather conditions.

Bury human waste in a hole 300 feet from water and 6" from land surface; no trenches allowed.

Leave no trace of your campsite: "Take only pictures, leave only footprints."