New York's Beloved National Seashore Offers Peaceful Island Camping To Escape City Crowds

New York's Long Island is comprised of the busy NYC boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, plus huge waterfront homes throughout the Hamptons, Montauk, and Amagansett further east. With 8 million people, Long Island is also the most populated island in the contiguous United States. Yet somehow this New York City adjacent part of the state still offers some quiet retreats into nature.

Toward the eastern end of Long Island, you'll find Fire Island. This long barrier island is home to Fire Island National Seashore, designated by the U.S. National Park Service. The 26 miles of federally protected land features sandy beaches and untouched maritime wilderness, making it one of the most breathtaking parks to visit in New York. Birdwatchers will love this place too, as it is home to sanderlings, herons, egrets, and more. What really makes Fire Island National Seashore worth a visit is the fact that you can go camping here despite being just one hour away from New York City.

The Watch Hill Campground toward the eastern end of Fire Island National Seashore makes for a memorable camping experience because you can stay in a tent right on the sand. To wake up on the beach with a little more luxury, perhaps plan your next glamping trip at Watch Hill Campground too. You'll feel like you're in a mini beachfront hotel with Watch Hill's safari style tents each complete with beds, mosquito nets, a covered porch, and an ice cooler all on a raised wooden floor. 

With a permit covering up to four people, you can go backcountry camping at Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. The two designated camping areas within the wilderness are just slightly further east of Watch Hill on Fire Island. Hike along the Burma trail to enjoy the beautiful mixture of sand and plant life, but keep your eyes on the skies too and try to spot some of the aforementioned birds who frequent Fire Island. The Burma Trail also winds through the backcountry camping areas. Choose the best campsite, pitch your tent, and keep the Fire Island adventures going all night long.

While the Robert Moses Causeway does lead to Fire Island National Seashore, visitors can also take the Watch Hill Ferry that departs from the city of Patchogue on Long Island. As the name suggests, the ferry drops passengers off right by the Watch Hill Campground. Go online to get dates and times for the ferries, which run throughout the summer. If the scheduled times won't work for your trip, check those for the ferry that goes to Davis Park just a mile away from Watch Hill.

The downside to camping anywhere within Fire Island National Seashore is its limited availability. It is a protected space and too many humans at once could defeat that purpose. There are only 20 tent sites and eight glamping sites at Watch Hill Campground. Between the two backcountry zones, only 36 people can camp per night. While backcountry camping is allowed at any time of year, Watch Hill is only open from around mid-May to mid-October. Be sure to make reservations far in advance and note that Watch Hill's sites in particular are operated by LoveFINS, an affiliate of the U.S. National Park Service.