Long Island campgrounds: What to know
Larry Goldman and his dog, Duke, are full-time seasonal residents at McCann Campground in Greenport. Credit: Randee Daddona
Here are the best places to rough it in the wild on a fun-filled camping adventure.
NASSAU
Battle Row Campground
1 Claremont Rd., Old Bethpage
Karen and Gary Higgins of Greenlawn settle in with their camper for what they describe as "three day's of peace and quiet" at the Battle Row Campground in Bethpage. Credit: Daniel Goodrich
Season: Year-round. Campsites: 52 sites equipped with water and electric hookups, 12 tent sites (no water or electricity). Features: 44 acres, playground, showers, picnic areas, grills, dump station; must be 21 or older to reserve. More info: 516-572-8690, nassaucountyny.gov
Nickerson Beach Park Campground
Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach
Season: April-Nov. Campsites: 89 sites for RVs. Features: 121-acre park, picnic area, beach, skate park, sewer and electric hookups. More info: 516-571-7700, nassaucountyny.gov
SUFFOLK
For Suffolk County parks' camping fees, visit suffolkcountyny.gov/parks.
Blydenburgh County Park Campground
Veterans Memorial Highway, Smithtown
The campground entrance at Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown offers a variety of outdoor activities. Credit: Heather Walsh
Season: April-Veterans Day. Campsites: 50 tent and trailer sites, 1 group site. Features: 588 acres, restrooms and showers, rowboat rentals, freshwater fishing, 2 dog parks, hiking, bridle paths, historic homes. More info: 631-854-3712
Cathedral Pines County Park Campground
Yaphank-Middle Island Road, Middle Island
Season: Open Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Campsites: 142 sites, 10 with water and electric hookups, group and limited individual camping. Features: 322 acres, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking. More info: 631-852-5502.
Cedar Point County Park Campground
Stephen Hands Path, East Hampton
Zoeller family, of North Babylon, set up their campsite at Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Season: April-Veterans Day. Campsites: 184 tent and trailer sites, 4 group sites. Features: 607 acres, nature trail, saltwater fishing with outer beach vehicle permit, rowboat rentals, picnic area, biking. More info: 631-852-7620
Eastern Long Island Kampground
690 Queen St., Greenport
Season: April 1-Nov. 30. Campsites: Deluxe safari tents, yurts, cabin suites, 130 tent and trailer sites (water, electric and sewer hookups). Features: Store, laundry, playground, pool, kid’s activities, fire truck rides, music, dog walk area. Fees: Trailer sites: $95 a night with 30 amp or $105 a night with 50 amp. Includes water, electric and sewer hookups. Safari tents: $275-$350 a night weekends (Thur.-Sat.), $250-$300 a night weekdays (Sun.-Wed., excluding holiday weekends), Yurts: $325-$500 a night weekends (Thur.-Sat.), $300-$350 a night for weekdays Sun.-Wed., excluding holiday weekends) Cabin suites $400-$650 a night weekends (Thur.-Sat.), $375-$425 a night weekday (Sun.-Wed., excluding holiday weekends). RV trailer rental: $250-$450 a night weekends Thurs-Sat., $150-$350 a night weekdays Sun.-Wed., excluding holiday weekends. All weekend reservations are two-night minimum. Holiday weekends are three-night minimum. Holiday rate extra, check website for complete list of rates. More info: 631-477-0022, elikampground.com
Heckscher State Park Campground
Heckscher Parkway, Field 1, East Islip
Season: May 24-Sept. 1. Campsites: 69 tent/RV sites with platform. Features: 1,657-acre park, barbecue grill, picnic table, restroom, showers, dump station, playground, ballfield, access to bicycle path and nature trail. Each rented site must have an adult 21 and over registered; no pets. Fee: Tent/RV $18 a night Sun.-Thur., $22 a night Fri.-Sat.; $126-$154 a week. More info: 631-581-2100, newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Hither Hills State Park Campground
164 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk
Children play along the campground road at Hither Hills Beach State Park in Montauk. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Season: April 12-Nov. 23. Campsites: 189 tent and trailer sites (behind dunes); no hookups. Features: 1,755 acres, restrooms, showers, general store, playgrounds, dump station, swimming, sand-castle contests, fishing, hiking trails, environmental programs. Fee: $31 weekdays, $35 weekends. Out-of-state resident: $62 weekdays, $70 weekends and holidays. More info: 631-668-2554, newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Indian Island County Park Campground
Off Cross-River Drive, Riverhead
Season: Year-round for self-contained campers. Campsites: 137 tent and trailer sites, 4 group sites. Features: 275 acres, fishing, picnics, playground, restrooms, showers. More info: 631-852-3232
McCann Campground
Moore’s Lane, Greenport
Season: May-Nov. 1. Campsites: 45; water, electric and sewer hookups available. Features: More than 6 acres, restrooms, showers, dump station, Wi-Fi. Fee: Trailers: $63 a day, $400 a week. Tents: $46 a day, $240 a week. More info: 631-477-0043 or 631-477-0248, ext. 0, villageofgreenport.org
Sears Bellows County Park Campground
Bellows Pond Road, Hampton Bays
A group of friends gather at a picnic bench overlooking the lake at Sears Bellows County Park in Hampton Bays. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Season: April-Nov. 11. Campsites: 70 tent and trailer sites. Features: 964 acres, rowboats, showers, bridle path, hiking, dump station. More info: 631-852-8290
Smith Point County Park Campground
Off William Floyd Parkway, Shirley
Season: March 1-Oct. 31. Campsites: 79 full hookups, 39 tent and 102 electric trailer sites. Features: Bathrooms, showers, dump station, playground, grills, protected beach area. More info: 631-852-1313
Southaven County Park Campground
Victory Avenue, Brookhaven
Danny Hernandez of Ridge and Tiffani Russotto of Selden climb aboard a rowboat to take a trip along the Carmans River in Southaven County Park. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Season: April 1-Veterans Day. Campsites: 104 tent and trailer sites, 30 group sites, some with electricity. Features: 1,355 acres, picnic area, dump station, restrooms, showers, bridle paths, fishing, trails, rowboat rentals. More info: 631-852-1391 or 631-854-4949
Watch Hill Campground and Backcountry Camping at Fire Island National Seashore
Fire Island (accessible by passenger ferry from Patchogue or by private boat)
The campground at Watch Hill, part of the Fire Island National Seashore, offers safari-style platform tents to book. Credit: @loveFINS
Season: Mid-May to mid-Oct. Campsites: 26 family tent sites and one group site; backcountry camping permits available at recreation.gov. Features: Watch Hill marina, grills, restrooms, lifeguarded ocean beaches, park ranger programs, nature trail, snack bar, restaurant, marina store. Fees: Tent: $25 a night and $100 weekly May 17-June 20, Sept. 3-Oct. 14; $35 a night and $175 weekly June 21-Sept. 2. Group camping: $75 a night, $275 weekly May 17-June 20, Sept. 3-Oct. 14; $75 a night and $350 weekly June 21-Sept. 2. Two-night minimum Fri.-Sat.; four-day minimum Fri.-Mon. on holidays and limited to 14 consecutive days. More info: 631-597-6074, lovefins.com
West Hills County Park Campground
Sweet Hollow Road, Melville
Season: April-Nov. Campsites: 12 areas for youth groups only (scouts). Features: 854 acres, bridle paths, picnic area, dog park. More info: 631-854-4423
Wildwood State Park Campground
790 Hulse Landing Rd. off Sound Avenue, Wading River
Campers roast marshmallows at Wildwood State Park in Wading RIver. Credit: Johnny Milano
Season: Tent/RV April 19-Sept. 1, Cottages through Oct. 19. Campsites: 242 tent sites, 80 trailer sites, and 10 cottages. Pets not allowed. Four one-bedroom (four-person capacity) and two-bedroom (six-person capacity) cottages have cedar shingles, mahogany trim and metal roofs while the rustic-style interior is composed of unfinished natural wood. Each is equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom, screened-in porch, picnic table, electric heating/AC, queen-sized beds and outdoor fire pits with attached grills. Fee: Glamping starts from $175 a night, deposit required. Tents/RV: $18 a night Sun.-Thur., $22 a night Fri.-Sat., $126-$154 a week. More info: 800-456-2267, newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com