Fire Island National Seashore Permits

Fire Island National Seashore

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.

Permit & Season Information

This permit allows the holder to camp within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune 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. Access to the Eastern Zone is on foot from Watch Hill, a 4 to 5.5 mile walk. 

Western Zone: Maximum number of campers is 24 per night with a maximum number of eight campers allowed in each site. Access to the Western Zone is on foot from Watch Hill, a one to three mile walk. 

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:  

 

Help ensure a safe visit to Fire Island National Seashore

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

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