Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness
Encyclopedia
National Wilderness Preservation System
The National Wilderness Preservation System of the United States protects federally managed land areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. It was established by the Wilderness Act upon the signature of President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964...
composed of barrier islands off the south shore of Long Island, New York.
The wilderness area, named for former New York congressman Otis G. Pike
Otis G. Pike
Otis Grey Pike is a retired Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.-Early life:...
, is the only federally designated wilderness area in New York State. At 1363 acre (5.5 km²; 2.1 sq mi), it is also one of the smallest wilderness areas managed by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
.
Access to the Fire Island Wilderness can be obtained either from Watch Hill (which is accessible seasonally by ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
or private boat), or Smith Point County Park
Smith Point County Park
Smith Point County Park is a park located fronting on the Atlantic Ocean on the east end of Fire Island, New York, United States, in central Long Island by Shirley. It is the largest park owned by Suffolk County, New York....
, accessible year round by car or bus). The Wilderness Visitor Center (located adjacent to Privately-owned Bellport Beach splits the wilderness
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildland is a natural environment on Earth that has not been significantly modified by human activity. It may also be defined as: "The most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet—those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with...
into two zones east and west of these protected areas.
The island is about 31 miles (49.9 km) long and 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) wide at the widest point.
The Otis G. Pike Wilderness area is 7 miles (11.3 km) of National Park Service wilderness located on the eastern side of Fire Island.
It is the only National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
wilderness in New York State. The wilderness area is named for former New York Congressman Otis G. Pike
Otis G. Pike
Otis Grey Pike is a retired Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.-Early life:...
, who co-sponsored the bill which created the Fire Island National Seashore and worked hard to secure public support and the legislation's passage through Congress to establish the new national park.
Miles of undeveloped beach, some 40 feet (12.2 m) high dunes, are covered in wildflowers, deer trails, Old bones, and many natural seaside artifacts. The Wilderness is only 50 miles (80.5 km) east of New York City.
The United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
designated the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness Area in 1980 and it now has a total of 1363 acre (5.5 km²; 2.1 sq mi).
All of the wilderness is in New York and is managed by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
.