Fire Island National Seashore
Watch Hill, NY

You can swim or surf, or play volleyball on the beach. East of the campgrounds, is a natural area: no towns, no buildings, no roads, no boardwalk. Just sand, sea shells and the plants and animals that thrive here.

You'll find deer, rabbits, foxes, birds, horseshoe crabs and many other forms of wildlife. Mosquitoes are plentiful in the Summer (you may not like them, but to the birds, they're dinner).

Also during the Summer, the Park Service runs canoe trips in the bay and brings in guest speakers.

There are about 25 individual campsites, and one group site. Because demand is high, reservations are taken by lottery. Send a SASE to the address below for an application. (Only tax-exempt organizations can reserve the group site.)

Caution: Wherever on Fire Island you go, take care to avoid the ticks that carry Lyme disease.

Tepid showers and flush toilets.

Driving directions: Take the Long Island Expressway to exit 61S and get on Route 19 South. One mile past Sunrise Highway, bear left. After crossing Main St., this becomes West Ave. One block after the Long Island Railroad tracks and 1 block further is parking for the ferry.

Train directions: Take the Long Island Railroad to Patchogue and walk one block south on West Ave. to the ferry terminal.

For the ferry schedule, call 631-475-1665.

Address: 120 Laurel St., Patchogue NY 11772

Phones: 631-289-4810 (Headquarters), 631-597-6633 (Ranger Station), 631-597-6455 (Visitor Center)

National Park Service's page on Fire Island National Seashore