Fire Island National Seashore backcountry · Backcountry in Fire Island National Seashore
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Backcountry in Fire Island National Seashore
Backcountry in Fire Island National Seashore
Camping in summer can be challenging due to higher temperatures, ticks and mosquitoes.
Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness area. Backcountry camping (backpacking) is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Permit is required and can be obtained from 9AM-4PM at the Watch Hill Visitor Center, Phone: 631-597-6455 (Mid-May to mid-October); or Wilderness Visitor Center, Phone: 631-281-3010; (mid-May through December) when staffed. Camping is limited to no more than three groups of 4 in the eastern section and six groups of 4 in the western section. 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.
Regulations
- Open fires are prohibited -- use a backcountry stove for cooking.
- Campsites must be north of the primary dune, not in sight of the beach, in a sandy area with no vegetation, and at least one mile inside the wilderness boundary.
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed during plover nesting season: March 1 - Labor Day; at other times they are permitted but must be on a 6' leash at all times.
- Bury human waste in a hole 300 feet from water and 6" from land surface; no trenches allowed.
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Leave-no-trace camping applies.
- Take safety precautions for ticks and mosquitoes. Plan for quickly changing weather conditions.
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Fire Island National Seashore Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.