Fire Island National Seashore - Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness

Distance: 6.5 - 7 miles Elevation Gain: 0-10 feet   Hike Time: 3.5 hours point to point; various out and back   Difficulty: Moderate  Trail Condition: Sand 

Hike Type: Point to point or out and back

How to Get There: Long Island Expressway to Exit 68 S, take William Floyd Parkway 15 miles to end of parkway.  Parking fees during spring and summer season.  From the parking lot walk 1/4-mile walk to the Wilderness Visitor Center.

General Description: The 1,363-acre High Dune Wilderness contains a variety of barrier island ecosystems in a relatively natural condition. It is the only federally designated wilderness area in the State of New York.  Year-round access is from the Fire Island Wilderness Visitors Center at Smith Point County Park.  The wilderness is accessible from a sand track that follows the middle of the wilderness to the Watch Hill station.  This track is also known as "Burma Road".  The character of the wilderness area is typical of Atlantic barrier islands that grade from a primary dune along the ocean to salt marsh along the bay. The dominant vegetation includes pitch pine , beach grass , wax myrtle, bayberry , shadbush , and common greenbrier. Hiking can be scheduled year-round at the  Fire Island Wilderness.  Planning hikes during the late fall through early spring will reduce exposure to ticks and mosquitoes that share this habitat.   Poison ivy is also part of the habitat, so pay attention to where you walk.  The wilderness area and the adjacent ocean beaches are designated as carry in and carry out areas. Use Leave No Trace practices for hiking and camping.

Wilderness camping is permitted by permit only on a first-come, first-serve basis in limited-size groups.  Click here for more information.