Fire Island National Seashore Permits
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.
Need to Know
Please note: Fire Island National Seashore does not accept walk-ins.
The following rules and regulations apply to Fire Island National Seashore Permits for backcountry camping:
- Check-in is required. Campers must check in upon arrival at the Visitor Center during hours of operation. A self check-in station is available at the Dune Station along the main dune crossing for after hours and off-season arrivals or you may email your permit number and check-in date to: fiis_camping_check-in@nps.gov
- Permittee is required to have one print or digital copy of their permit upon check-in. Permit is to be retained by the permittee at all times during camping.
- Permittee must be 21 years of age or older and carry valid, government issued photo ID.
- Camping permits only valid for the length of stay that they are issued for.
- No camping on the primary dunes or within 20 feet of the toe of the dunes.
- No open fires; camp stoves only.
- Bury human waste in cat-holes dug six to eight inches deep and at least 200 feet from water.
- Camp at least 300 feet away from other campers.
- No camping within 1,000 feet of Bellport Beach.
- No trenching around tent.
- No camping within 200 feet of piping plover exclosures or nesting threatened and endangered species. Learn more about piping plover monitoring and management on Fire Island.
- No camping within symbolic fencing.
- No permanent camping facilities will be built.
- No vehicle access permitted for camping.
- No camping permits will be issued to hunters.
- Carry in/carry out all trash and personal items.
- No pets permitted March 15 through Labor Day on the beach or in the wilderness.
Help ensure a safe visit to Fire Island National Seashore
- Protect yourself from the sun
- Watch out for poison ivy
- Use caution in & around the water
- Be aware of rip currents
- Avoid ticks and mosquitoes
- Never feed or touch wildlife
- Keep dogs leashed
- Be aware of NPS alcohol policy
Fee Policy
A $25.00 permit fee is assessed for each permit.
An additional fee may be necessary to purchase a passenger ferry ticket to Watch Hill or Davis Park.
Cancellation Policy
Change Policy:
Changes to your reservation cannot be made after printing your permit. Your permit may be printed up to seven days in advance of your arrival date.
Changes to your reservation are allowed as long as they are made at least one day in advance to your permit and prior to printing it.
Changes to the number of the campers upon arrival for your permit cannot be processed.
In order to make a change you will have to log-in to the website, www.recreation.gov, or call 1-877-444-6777. Changing the entry date or entry zone will require cancelling the original reservation (a $6 cancellation fee applies) and booking a new reservation.
Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel your reservation at least two days in advance of your reservation, you will receive a refund minus a $6.00 service fee. If you cancel less than two days in advance, there will be no refund.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
120 Laurel Street Patchogue NY 11772
For information contact: FIIS_Information@nps.gov
Phone Number
631-569-2100
