Campgrounds on Long Island: Sleep under the stars
Members of Zoeller family, of North Babylon, set up their campsite at Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
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 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: 74 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 Season: April-Veterans Day. Campsites: 50 tent and trailer sites. 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: Year-round for self-contained campers. 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 Season: April-Veterans Day. Campsites: 222 tent and trailer sites. Features: 608 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, shuttle bus. Fees: $85 a night with 30 amp or $95 a night with 50 amp. Includes water, electric and sewer hookups. $350 a night safari tents, $450 a night yurts, $450 a night cabin suites. Weekly trailer/tent sites: Daily rate with seventh night free. Holiday rate: $10 a night extra, Fri. and Sat. nights must be combined. More info: 631-477-0022, elikampground.com
Heckscher State Park Campground Heckscher Parkway, Field 1, East Islip Season: May 29-Sept. 5. 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 Season: April 14-Nov. 18. Campsites: 189 tent and trailer (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. 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: $50 a day, $300 a week. Tents: $35 a day, $210 a week. More info: 631-477-0043 or 631-477-2200, villageofgreenport.org
Sears Bellows County Park Campground Bellows Pond Road, Hampton Bays 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 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: 631-854-1414 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) 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 18-June 15, Sept. 5-Oct. 9; $35 a night and $175 weekly June 16-Sept. 4. Group camping: $75 a night, $300 weekly May 18-June 15, Sept. 5-Oct. 9; $75 a night and $375 weekly June 16-Sept. 4. 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: Year-round. 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 Season: April 21-Oct. 21. 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
HOW TO GET RESERVATIONS
Early reservations are recommended, especially at beaches. For state park reservations, visit newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com or call 800-456-2267. For Watch Hill at Fire Island National Seashore through mid-October, visit nps.gov/fiis/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm.
Backcountry or wilderness camping within the 1,380-acre Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness is accessible via Davis Park and points west until September and available year-round. Call 631-281-3010 or email FIIS_Information@nps.gov. For reservations and permits, go to recreation.gov.
Reservations for Suffolk County campgrounds require a Green Key card and open April 1. Several Suffolk County parks offer outer beach access to off-road vehicles. A recreational vehicle use permit is required. Outer beach camping is permitted with a self-contained camper only. Reservations may be booked for Cupsogue Beach (Westhampton), Montauk, and Shinnecock East (Southampton). Outer beach camping is available at Smith Point (Shirley and Fire Island). For Suffolk County camping fees, check suffolkcountyny.gov/parks or call 631-854-4949.
