Under the stars, near the sound of the surf, waking to a chorus of song birds, camping on Fire Island within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness can be a memorable experience. This backcountry camping experience is available by permit only.
Two backcountry camping zones are available within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, the eastern and western zones.
Access is through the western gateway to wilderness, Watch Hill or campers may hike in from the Wilderness Visitor Center in the east, adjacent to Smith Point County Park.
Permit & Season Information
This permit allows the holder to camp within the Otis Pike Wilderness.
Two backcountry camping zones are available, the eastern and western zones. There is a three-night limit for backcountry camping.
Eastern Zone: Maximum number of campers is 12 per night with a maximum number of four campers allowed in each site. The nearest access to the Eastern Zone is on foot from the Wilderness Visitor Center, a 2 to 3 mile hike.
Western Zone: Maximum number of campers is 24 per night with a maximum number of eight campers allowed in each site. The nearest access to the Western Zone is on foot from Watch Hill, a 1 to 3 mile hike.
From March 15 to Labor Day, backcountry campsites may be selected on the beach in front of the eastern zone or western zone, in areas where there are no restrictions or closures. From early September through March 14, campers must select campsites behind the dunes in wilderness within either the eastern or western zone.
Permittee must be 21 years of age or older.
Important Dates
| Dates | Information |
|---|---|
| March 15 – Labor Day | Seasonal driving restrictions are in place and camping on beach in front of eastern and western zones is allowed. Leashed pets are not allowed on ocean beaches or in wilderness. |
| Day After Labor Day – March 15 | Seasonal driving restrictions are lifted and campsites must be selected in wilderness behind the dunes in the eastern or western zone. |
| Mid-May – Mid-October | Watch Hill Ferry, Marina, Visitor Center, Snack Bar, and Camp Store are operating on spring or summer schedule; check hours of operation. |
| Mid-October – Mid-May | Watch Hill facilities are closed for the season. Ferry schedules are limited. Access to wilderness may be via Davis Park only. Please use self check-in station located at Dune Station Complex. |
How Does the Quota Work for this Permit?
The maximum number of permitted campers in the eastern zone is 12 per night with a maximum of four campers in each site.
The maximum number of permitted campers in the western zone is 24 per night with a maximum of eight campers in each site.
