Operating Hours
Open year-round; Sailors Haven, Watch Hill units open May 15-Oct.15.
Visitation
Highest May through September.
Permits
Backcountry camping permit required in Otis Pike Wilderness Area; obtain at the Wilderness Area Visitor Center or the Watch Hill Ranger Station. Permits also required for driving, hunting, sports fishing, and camping in family or group campsites at Watch Hill campground. Call (631) 289-4810 for information.
Visitors Center and Programs
Visitor Center: Of the 3 visitor centers, one is open year-round. Fire Island Wilderness Visitor Center (at Smith Point) is open Wed.-Sun., year-round, providing visitor information, driving and fishing permits, a 4/5-mile nature trail, and ocean beach. It is the only car-accessible visitor center. Sailors Haven Visitor center provides interpretive programs and temporary exhibits (summer only); the Watch Hill Visitor Center is staffed seasonally for interpretive programs.
Programs: All visitor centers offer interpretive programs seasonally. Call (631) 281-3010 for current schedule.
Food Supplies and Concessions
Food/Supplies: The Watch Hill area, open seasonally, provides a restaurant, general store, and snack bar concession. The Sailors Haven area, also open seasonally, provides a snack bar concession
Concessions: There are bookstores at each visitor center and at the William Floyd Estate. Watch Hill and Sailors Haven provide Marina concessions.
Visitor Impact
Services are limited on the island. Heed ferry and train schedules carefully. Be wary of potential contact with deer ticks (which can cause Lyme disease) and dress/behave appropriately to prevent contact. Poison ivy, mosquitoes, and sunburn are other potential hazards.
Bicycles, rollerskates or blades, skateboards and metal detectors are prohibited in the park. Pets are allowed but must be leashed or physically restrained at all times, to protect the endangered Piping Plovers. Pets are not allowed in the wilderness area, nor near posted endangered species nesting areas.
Additional Information
