Want a coastal camping trip without leaving New York? camping on Long Island offers sandy beaches, pine forests, and peaceful bays—perfect for a laid-back escape close to home.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Camping Ideas
1. Battle Row Campground
Located on 44 acres of dense woods in Nassau County, Long Island, New York Battle Row Campground has 64 campsites that range in length from 40 to 45 feet and accommodates both RVs and tents. There is a comfort station with restrooms and private showers. The campground is fun place for the whole family. It has kiddy park with swings, a sport field, a softball field, and rally field for group camping as well as for tent and overflow campsites. It is a great spot for all sorts of club activities, concerts, parties and family celebrations. The Recreational Vehicle pads come with power and water hookups.
Battle Row Campground, 1 Claremont Rd, Old Bethpage, NY 11804, Phone: 516-572-8690
2. Beaver Pond Campground
The Beaver Pond Campground is located next to the Lake Welch Recreation Area and is part of the Harriman State Park, about 25 miles north of the George Washington Bridge. It is part of the Palisades Region of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. The campground has tent and trailer sites, together with the accommodations for larger vehicles. Each campsite includes a picnic table and a fire ring. Comfort stations with showers, laundry facilities, and a dumping station are also part of the campground. There is a protected swimming beach that can be used during the season when lifeguards are on duty. Beaver Pond Campground offers facilities for a range of activities including swimming, hiking and picnicking.
Beaver Pond Campground, 700 Kanawauke Rd, Stony Point, NY 10980, Phone: 845-947-2792
3. Blydenburgh County Park
Blydenburgh County Park consists of about 600 acres of forests and meadows, stretching along the Nissequogue River. The park has 50 campsites suitable both for tents and trailers. There is a comfort station with shower and dump facilities and spacious picnic areas. Campers enjoy fishing and rowing on Stump Pond and exploring the historic mill district that includes the 1798 “New Mill”, the 1802 Miller’s House, the c.1860 Farm Cottage, and the c.1820 Blydenburgh Farmhouse. There is a playground for kids and an extensive hiking trail system that is connected to trails in neighboring Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Blydenburgh County Park , Veteran's Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11788, Phone: 631-854-3712
4. Camp Edey
Camp Edey is girls-only camp spread over 95 acres on the scenic Sans Souci Lakes in Bayport, New York. The camp has two pools, an archery range, a large network of hiking trails, and even a frog-filled pond. The camp offers four different programs: Pixie Day Camp for girls ages between three and five, Journey to Adventure for girls Grades 1 to 6 and Teen-Ventures for Grades 7 to 9). Camper's Choice days offer campers opportunity to pick exciting activities from a special menu that includes arts and crafts, canoeing, paddle boating, swimming, Ga-Ga and more. The camp belongs to the Girls Scouts of Suffolk County, New York.
Camp Edey, 1500 Lakeview Ave, Bayport, NY 11705, Phone: 631-472-1625
Romantic Camping Ideas
5. Camp Gateway
Located in the woodland habitat of Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York, within the Gateway National Recreation Area, Camp Gateway is a tree-covered campground open from May to October. It offers an outdoor escape for the city folks that includes hiking, biking, birding and historic tours of airports and forts. There is a series of Ranger-led programs available all summer. The Campground offers tent and RV camping. Generators are allowed for a limited number hours at RV sites only. The campground includes a dump station. Gateway National Recreation Area covers 26,000 acres and includes diverse habitats such as woodlands, grasslands, sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, ponds and forests. Campers can visit nearby Civil War-era forts, historic aircraft ad Nike missile sites, stroll along wooded paths, watch for birds and horseshoe crabs , ride horses, kayak and practice archery.
Camp Gateway, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY 11234, Phone: 718-338-3799
6. Cathedral Pines County Park
Spread over 320 acres along the headwaters of the Carmans River, Cathedral Pines County Park is right next to Prosser Pines Nature Preserve. The park offers facilities that include campsites for individual campers, youth groups, clubs and families. It also includes 10 sites with water and electric hookups, a playground and opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking. Next to the park is Prosser Pines Nature Preserve which features a unique stand of white pines planted in 1812 and a six miles long mountain bike trail. The park is dog-friendly but dogs have to be on leash.
Cathedral Pines County Park, 116 Yaphank Middle Island Rd, Middle Island, NY 11953, Phone: 631-852-5502
7. Cedar Point County Park
Cedar Point County Park is a 607-acre park in East Hampton, New York, on a peninsula just outside of historic Sag Harbor, with spectacular views of Gardiners Bay. The park is famous for its disused lighthouse. The shady, forested park offers camping for individuals and groups, boat rentals, picnic areas, surf fishing, nature trails, access to the mile-long beach and licensed hunting for waterfowl. It also has a freshwater lake, a playground, and walking trails. There is a general store with a snack bar that offer free Saturday-night family movies and recreational equipment. Scuba diving is possible at Northwest Harbor Beach, Gardiners Bay or near the lighthouse. The park is dog friendly, but they must be leashed.
Cedar Point County Park, 5 Cedar Point Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-852-7620
Family Camping Ideas
8. Eastern Long Island Kampground
Eastern Long Island Kampground is the largest privately owned, family operated campground on Long Island. It has 186 sites for tents and RVs, 101 with a full hook-up. The campground has picnic tables, grill, toilets, dump, laundry, RV Storage, firewood and internet. It is pet friendly but dogs have to be leashed. This beautiful family-friendly campground has a fully equipped kiddy playground and a swimming pool in season. It also offers a range of activities for kids such as fire truck rides; tractor hay rides, and tractor train rides. There is a DJ on Saturday nights. The campground is opened from May 3 to November 3.
Eastern Long Island Kampground, 690 Queen St, Greenport, NY 11944, Phone: 631-477-0022
9. Hayground Camp
Hayground Camp was founded in 1996 to be a fundraising arm for Hayground School, a small private school in Bridgehampton, New York. Hayground Camp can accommodate 350 campers with 150 counselors and a number of visitors such as chefs, musicians, coaches, chess masters, choreographers, studio artists and naturalists. They all get together for a summer of adventure, exploration and memorable experiences. Located on 13 acres of farmland in Bridgehampton, NY, Hayground summer camp includes a regulation size gymnasium, a state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center with a professional kitchen, five acres of athletic fields, two-acre playscape with sandbox, playground and discovery path, a pool, a chicken coop, three organic gardens and much more.
Hayground Camp, 151 Mitchell Ln, Bridgehampton, NY 11932, Phone: 631-537-5188
Our Favorite Campgrounds for Families on Long Island
- Wildwood State Park – Camp near the beach with hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas. Located in Wading River on Long Island’s North Shore.
- Hither Hills State Park – Enjoy oceanfront camping, nature trails, and a sandy beach perfect for kids. Situated in Montauk at the eastern tip of Long Island.
- Cupsogue Beach County Park – Set up along the dunes with access to lifeguarded beaches and fishing. Found in Westhampton Beach on the South Shore.
- Blydenburgh County Park – Camp lakeside and explore scenic trails, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. Located in Smithtown, offering a peaceful natural setting.
- Battle Row Campground – A great base with open sites, a playground, and proximity to local attractions. Located in Old Bethpage in central Long Island.
- Indian Island County Park – Enjoy wooded sites, playgrounds, and kayaking along the Peconic River. Situated in Riverhead, near the gateway to the North Fork.
- Cathedral Pines County Park – Family-friendly wooded camping with trails, a river, and peaceful surroundings. Located in Middle Island, close to nature preserves and hiking.
- Shinnecock East County Park – Camp bayside and enjoy fishing, shellfishing, and calm waters for kids. Located in Southampton along Shinnecock Bay.
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