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Established Camping

Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Three new furnished safari tent glamps will be offered this season in addition to our 4 safari tent glamp sites, . If there is no availability for your dates, check back periodically for the new safari tent updates.

If you have any questions - or need more information - please visit www.loveFINS.com or email us. Thanks!

Description

Come enjoy Fire Island National Seashore at its finest. Your camping adventure begins the minute you board the ferry at the Watch Hill ferry terminal (free parking) in Patchogue located diagonally across the street from the west end of the LIRR station. Our campgrounds and glamping platform tents are in a protected area behind the majestic primary dunes and just a short walk to the ocean beach. The setting is one of spectacular barrier island ecology with pristine high dunes intact, something not seen in the other national seashore communities due to their development. The campground borders on its eastern edge 7 miles of the only federally designated wilderness in NYS, the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. Whether you wish to enjoy the beach or the outdoors and the abundant wildlife - including Humpback Whale sightings off the beach - Watch Hill is an unique and rare camping experience that feels like the national park it is. It is great for all ages and a perfect family destination, spring, summer and fall. The facilities include running water, picnic tables, grills, showers, bathrooms and a GFI outlet to charge cell phones. There is a National Park Service ranger station that has a Junior Ranger program, hands on interpretive wildlife displays, guided nature walks on the vast boardwalk trails, and a guided canoe tour through the marshes on the bay side. The campground contains 26 sand sites, a universally accessible site with wood decking and one group campsite for up to 40 campers.

By reserving, you are agreeing to the campground rules, Hold Harmless Clause, Visitor's Acknowledgement of Risks, fees and cancellation policy.https://www.reserveamerica.com/article.do?assetGuid=968a0aac-8786-4efa-96ce-717badd81854

  • After check-in at general store, visitors may arrive at campsite at 11 AM and 3 PM for Glamping sites (later than camping because need to clean & change bedding) or earlier if available.
  • Campsites allow for either one family unit or five adults with either two 2-person tents or one 5-person tent.
  • Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days.
  • Campers reserve a specific campsite and cannot change sites without checking with the General Store first for reassignment if availability. Camping in a site without the appropriate permits is illegal. Only marked sites may be used and tents may not be pitched in vegetation. Trenching, digging, or leveling sites is prohibited.
  • Check-in at the General Store between 10AM - 4PM. You will be issued a camping permit and it must be secured to your post at your site. If you do not check in by 4PM your reservation may be forfeited unless you call. If you are going to be late and are still coming, you must contact the General Store at 631-597-6074.
  • Check-out by 11AM on the last day of your reservation. To extend your stay, please check with the General Store. Campers who do not remove all gear by 11AM will be charged for another day.
  • The campsite permit holder must be 21 years of age to rent a campsite and must be present at all times.
  • Open ground fires are prohibited. Use only charcoal in grills provided, or you may bring a camp stove. Dispose of coals in proper receptacles.
  • No flammables, including cooking fuels are allowed on the ferry. Cooking fuels may be purchased at the concession. Check with the Davis Park Ferry for more details at 631-475-1665 and you can call the General Store for availability of fuels at 631-597-6074.
  • Pets must be leashed and must not disturb other campers. Pets may not allowed on ocean beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day (check with the Watch Hill Visitor Center 631-597-6455). Pets are not permitted in any sanitary facilities including showers. Pets are not to be left unattended at campsites. It is the owners responsibility to remove and dispose of pet's waste. Two pets allowed per campsite.
  • Restrictions: Skateboards, bicycles, and scooters are not allowed in the park.
  • Sanitation: Dispose of all trash & recyclables in appropriate receptacles, wash dishes only at sink stand, and leave your site clean.
  • Generators and other power equipment are prohibited.
  • Quiet hours are between 10PM - 6AM. Loud noise and audio devices are not permitted during quiet hours.
  • Group Campsite may be reserved online by bona fide not-for-profit organizations only. Given the unique demand for the group site we reserve the right to limit the number and duration of reservations from any particular group in trying to serve as many groups as possible.
  • Please read the safety bulletin and what to bring for further information that will help your stay with us be more enjoyable.
  • Please read the Laws & Policies advisory of the National Park Service and the Fire Island National Seashore here https://www.nps.gov/fiis/learn/management/lawsandpolicies.htm
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Location

Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore is located in New York

Detail location of campground

Directions

Parking is free at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal in Patchogue. The MTA offers very reasonable "Beach Getaway" packages that include all round trip NYC subway, LIRR and ferry fares. The 2018 prices for the round trip packages were $32.75 from NYC and Brooklyn, $26.25 from Jamaica, $17.00 Children (5-11). Campers check-in at the General Store to the right as you exit the ferry. There can be limited ferry service but it can be supplemented by extensive ferry service at Davis Park a mile walk along a boardwalk to the west of Watch Hill. BY TRAIN: Take the LIRR train to Patchogue Station. Walk to the Watch Hill Ferry from west end of the Patchogue Station. Ferry is located at 160 West Avenue (behind Bowing Alley across the street diagonally). Get a great deal with the MTA Beach Getaway Package. 2018 round trip same day packages for subway, LIRR and ferry voucher were $32.75 from NYC and Brooklyn, $26.25 from Jamaica, and $17.00 Children (5-11). BY CAR: Eastbound I-495 - exit 61, right on Patchogue-Holbrook Rd, continue onto Waverly Ave, 2nd exit roundabout onto Holbrook Rd, continue onto West Ave, terminal on Right. Eastbound Southern State and Sunrise Hwy (27) - Southern State Pkwy to NY-27 E exit 52, make right onto Waverly Ave from service road pick-up above. Westbound Sunrise - Exit 52, turn left on Waverly Ave, pick up above. Westbound I-495 - Exit 63, turn left onto N. Ocean Ave, turn right on W. Main St, turn left on West Ave. Parking is free at the Watch Hill Ferry Terminal.

Address

PO Box 594
Patchogue, NY 11772

Coordinates

40.6913 N
72.9856 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Poor
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Electric Hookups
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 8, 2023

Alone with nature.

Favorite place ever. You can get there by ferry. Very quiet and comfortable. Birdsong in the morning and the sound of the waves. There are showers, toilets and a café. For those who want to be at one with nature. Lots of mosquitoes, be prepared.

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Igor K., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Igor K., August 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Igor K., August 8, 2023
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2020

Backcountry Beach Camping

You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it. After that you can choose where you want to set up camp. There are many spots along the dunes and allows to really space out from other campers. It felt like we had the entire beach to ourselves because there was no one else even close to around us, we went the weekend after labor day.

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Emily S., September 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Emily S., September 20, 2020
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Emily S., September 20, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2019

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

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Pedro R., August 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Pedro R., August 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Pedro R., August 17, 2019
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2018

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.

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Jill F., August 31, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2018

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.

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Rosie R., August 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Rosie R., August 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Rosie R., August 29, 2018
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

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.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Inocencia O., August 14, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2016

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!

  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • Review photo of Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore by Megan B., July 31, 2016
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore?

Camping at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore can cost between $35.00 and $299.00 depending on the site.

Does Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore?

There are 28 campsites at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts