Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness

Fire Island Wilderness

The Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness Area, also known as the Otis G. Pike Wilderness Area, is a federally protected wilderness area 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, is the only federally designated wilderness area in New York State.^[1] At 1,363 acres (5.52 km²; 2.130 sq mi), it is also one of the smallest wilderness areas managed by the National Park Service.^[2]

Access to the Fire Island Wilderness can be obtained either from Watch Hill (which is accessible seasonally by ferry or private boat), or Smith Point County Park, accessible year round by car or bus). The Wilderness Visitor Center (located adjacent to Privately-owned Bellport Beach splits the wilderness into two zones east and west of these protected areas.^{[citation needed]}

The island is about 31 miles (50 km) long and 0.25 miles (0.40 km) wide at the widest point.^{[citation needed]} The Otis G. Pike Wilderness area is 7 miles (11 km) of National Park Service wilderness located on the eastern side of Fire Island. It is the only National Park Service wilderness in New York State.^{[citation needed]} The wilderness area is named for former New York Congressman Otis G. Pike, 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-foot (12 m) high dunes, are covered in wildflowers, deer trails, Old bones, and many natural seaside artifacts. The Wilderness is only 50 miles (80 km) east of New York City.

The United States Congress designated the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness Area in 1980 and it now has a total of 1,363 acres (5.52 km²; 2.130 sq mi). All of the wilderness is in New York and is managed by the National Park Service.

See also

• Smith Point County Park
• Outer Barrier

Photo gallery

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References

1. ^ Fire Island Wilderness (National Park Service)
2. ^ Fire Island Wilderness (National Park Service)

External links

• Wilderness.net
• Fire Island Wilderness - National Park Service
• Fire Island Pike Wilderness

Coordinates: 40°42′42″N 72°55′42″W / 40.71167°N 72.92833°W / 40.71167; -72.92833