Fire Island National Seashore

    Park Overview:

    The National Seashore offers visitors a variety of unique features in one easy-to-reach location including dune-lands, an ancient forest and beautiful beaches.
    Trail Uses:Hiking, Handicapped
    Dogs:Contact park
    Trail Miles:7 miles
    Park Acreage:
    City/County/
    State:    		/Suffolk/NY
    Buy Book:Hiking Long Island - Guide Book
    Park Description:

    Within this ever-changing elongated land mass is New York's only designated Federal Wilderness area. One can hike over its 20 miles of beach bordering the Atlantic, explore life in the dune-lands and see an ancient forest. There is even a primitive camping area for those willing to brave poison ivy and ticks. A permit is required for camping. Call (631) 281-3010 to obtain one. Autumn is perhaps the best time to hike the area, when it is still warm but the extreme summer sun is gone. A particularly unique point of interest for walkers is the Sunken Forest, located at Sailors Haven to the west (Hiking Long Island guidebook).
    Trails Overview:

    A good place to start a hike is from Smith Point Park at the southern base of the William Floyd Parkway. The real way to see the National Seashore in its splendor is to walk the beach heading west or continue on the boardwalk for a while and pick up the beach on the south side on a boardwalk path that leads to it. It should also be noted that one can hike westward from the Smith Point parking lot about five miles through Smith Point County Park to the rough water of Moriches Inlet. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are likely to be encountered here.
    Directions:

    From the LIE take exit 68 to William Floyd Parkway (County Route 46) south to its end at Smith Point County Park. 
    Contact Information:National Parks Service
    631-687-4750
    Region:Long Island
    Fees:Some times and places; check with park