Watch Hill is located on the western edge of the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, across the Great South Bay

Great South Bay

Great South Bay is a lagoon situated between Long Island and Fire Island, in the State of New York. It is approximately long. It's protected from the Atlantic Ocean by Fire Island, a barrier island, as well as the eastern end of Jones Beach Island and Captree Island.Robert Moses Causeway adjoins...

 from Patchogue, Long Island. It is accessible by Watch Hill Ferry, private boat, and foot only. The Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness contains a variety of barrier islands ecosystems in a relatively natural condition. It is the only federally designated wilderness area in the State of New York. At 1363 acres (5.5 km²), it is also one of the smallest wilderness areas managed by the National Park Service.

Watch Hill is accessible seasonally by ferry via The Fire Island National Park Headquarters in Patchogue NY or private boat.
Old Inlet is accessible by private boat only or by the Wilderness Visitor Center (located adjacent to 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).
Privately-owned Bellport Beach splits the wilderness into two zones.

The park offers a variety of outdoor experiences, ranging from ocean swimming to back country hiking to bird watching. Watch Hill contains a marina, visitor center, nature trail, and seasonally lifeguarded beaches. Campground facilities include running water, grills, showers and bathrooms. The campground contains 26 sand sites, including one that is universally accessible.
Lifeguarded beaches are provided at Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore

Fire Island National Seashore is a United States National Seashore that protects a section of Fire Island, an approximately long barrier island separated from Long Island by the Great South Bay....

during the summer at Watch Hill, New York.
Watch Hill Ferry Terminal is located at 160 West Avenue in Patchogue, New York, 11772.

External links

• http://www.watchhillfi.com/
• http://www.nps.gov/fiis/WatchHill.htm
• http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-fire-island-national-seashore-camping-new-york-city-sidwcmdev_068336.html