the dyrt
Cabins
Tent Cabin
Group
Tent Sites
Fires Unknown
Pets Allowed
Drinking Water
About Watch Hill Family Campground
Accessible by private boat or ferry, Watch Hill is located directly across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, and the campground is a 1/4-mile walk from the ferry dock.
When it comes to Fire Island Camping, the family-friendly campground is within walking distance of visitor center, marina, general store, ocean beach (lifeguarded during summer months), showers and bathhouse, nature trails, and Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness.
The Watch Hill campground has 26 tent sites and one group campsite. Most sites have a sandy base, so you'll need appropriately long tent stakes. There is one universally accessible site on a raised platform.
Operator
National Park Service
Access
Walk In
Hike In
Boat In
Features
ADA Accessible
Alcohol Allowed
Drinking Water
Market
Pets Allowed
Phone Service
Picnic Table
Reservable
Sanitary Dump
Showers
Toilets
Trash Available
Contact
Location
Watch Hill Family Campground is located in Fire Island National Seashore in New York
5 Reviews of Watch Hill Family Campground
Beach getaway
Only about 20 min drive and 30 min ferry trip for us we got to watch hill. Awesome place close to home easy check in and very friendly ppl. It’s a bit of a walk to camp site but all on board walk (we took to carts full of stuff) some sites are not private meaning some site will have your neighbor right behind you. We had site 2 which was a nice private site. Short walk to the beach. Only thing no hot showers as it was a beach bathroom shower. It was a little cooler so showering was not that great also showers are not covered no curtains. Also come with deet repellent as mosquitos are vicious. Over all great weekend
Beach camping (almost)
Fire Island is a great spot in the summer, but can be busy. Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection. Take a quick walk down to the beach.
Two-night minimum on weekends, and no fires. You can bring charcoal to cook on the grills provided or camp stoves, though.
Expect to be eaten alive
It was absolutely gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. However, it was nearly impossible to enjoy ourselves because we were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend. When we first arrived to the campground, we were immediately getting attacked so we doused ourselves in deet. Even with the bug spray, the relief didn’t last long. We couldn’t even enjoy our meals at camp because it was that bad. Def bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!!! We spent a lot of time inside our tent, needless to say. We tried spending more time up at the beach to get some relief, but the horseflies were out of control!! They have a cool bar down by the boat dock that was fun, but prob won’t make it back here.
Beach camping at its finest
Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean. Not ready for full on camp-life? No problem! There are shops, a restaurant and a bar a 10 minute walk away! One warning, however, the mosquitoes are extremely potent and plentiful. Take the good stuff. There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids.
On the sand, for real!
Fire Island National Seashore! Take the ferry over across the bay to this quiet little gem on Long Island. Amazing, your own ocean and beach! You are not quite roughing it as there are showers and running water at the Watchhill campground. Reservations highly recommended!
