Watch Hill

Long Island


A tidy camping area in a wooded patch on the east end of Fire Island, with a marina, a snack bar and a store all on-site. Take the ferry from Patchogue.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Long Island attractions

1. Fire Island National Seashore

5.39 MILES

Federally protected, this island offers sand dunes, forests, clean beaches, camping (wilderness permits $25 obtained throughwww.recreation.gov), hiking…

2. Sunken Forest

7.24 MILES

This 300-year-old forest, a surprisingly dense stretch of trees behind the dunes, is easily accessible via a 1.5-mile boardwalk trail looping through it…

3. Fire Island Lighthouse

12.88 MILES

Built in 1858, the lighthouse stands near the west end of Fire Island. It's part of the designated national seashore, but accessible by car from Robert…

4. Robert Moses State Park

14.32 MILES

Robert Moses State Park, one small part of Fire Island accessible by car, lies at the westernmost end and features wide, soft-sand beaches with mellower…

5. Big Duck

24.22 MILES

Yep, that was a 20ft cement bird you just passed on the highway, crafted in 1931 as a fitting tribute to the island's long-gone waterfowl-breeding…

6. Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium

24.88 MILES

See how shipping magnate 'Commodore' Cornelius Vanderbilt lived in his Eagle's Nest 19th-century mansion, or take in a planetarium show (Friday and…

7. Jamesport Farm Brewery

28.42 MILES

Wine isn't the only thing flowing in the North Fork – this farm-to-pint brewery grows its own hops (used in 90% of its brews) on its 43-acre property,…

8. Jones Beach State Park

29.76 MILES

Jones Beach is 6.5 miles of clean sand covered with bodies. Its character differs depending on which ‘field’ you choose – for example, 2 is for the…