Cabins near Babylon, New York offer access to Long Island's diverse coastal environments where the average summer temperature reaches 82°F, while winter temperatures typically drop to around 30°F. Most park rental cabins sit on terrain less than 200 feet above sea level, with proximity to both the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound shorelines creating distinct camping microclimates. Weather patterns shift dramatically from north to south shore locations despite the short distance between them.
What to do
Beach exploration at Fire Island National Seashore: Visit Watch Hill Fire Island Campground where backcountry camping options extend beyond the designated sites. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it. After that you can choose where you want to set up camp," advises a camper.
Cultural excursions near Staten Island: Staten Island campgrounds provide access to urban exploration with historical context. "There are abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring... There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," notes one visitor about the unique blend of nature and history.
Summer activities at state parks: Many state parks offer recreational programming during peak season. "On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground," reports a camper at Heckscher State Park, highlighting unexpected entertainment options.
What campers like
Boardwalk beach access: Wildwood State Park Campground features a small boardwalk leading to Long Island Sound. "The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk," mentions a regular visitor who notes that while the beach is somewhat rocky, the sunset views compensate for this minor inconvenience.
Campsite spacing and setup options: Some campgrounds offer varied site configurations. "You can find sites that are less wooded and better suited to group camping, as well as sites that are a little more secluded. This is one of my favorite campgrounds solely because there are platform sites so I can place my tent on a concrete or wooden platform," says a frequent Wildwood State Park visitor.
Ferry access to remote camping: "Fire Island is a great spot in the summer, but can be busy. Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection," explains a camper describing the unique transportation requirements for accessing these cabin and tent sites.
What you should know
Insect preparation required: Bring appropriate insect protection, particularly for waterfront locations. "It was absolutely gorgeous, don't get me wrong. However, it was nearly impossible to enjoy ourselves because we were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend. Even with the bug spray, the relief didn't last long," cautions a visitor at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground.
Site privacy varies significantly: Campground layouts differ dramatically across parks. "Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill. The sites are designated by printing on the roads and do not have clear boundaries between them," explains a camper at Heckscher State Park, noting that "there aren't clear paths to the restroom building so it's not uncommon for people to cut through the edges of sites."
Reservation timelines: Plan well in advance for cabins. "Sleepy hollow! We came in October to celebrate Halloween in sleepy hollow! This is a great campsite and reasonably priced," shares a visitor to Croton Point Park, highlighting seasonal demand spikes around popular events and holidays.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activity access: Croton Point Park provides family-friendly amenities. "It's a good park/camp for groups. They have cabins and RV sites... There is a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids," notes a camper, though they caution about overnight train noise from a nearby depot.
Safe swimming areas: Look for state parks with designated swimming zones. "Clean park with a place to swim but only within buoys and when a life guard is present," mentions a visitor to Croton Point Park, providing important safety information for families with children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many parks offer chances to observe local fauna. "Wildlife: deer, rabbits, turtles," lists a cabin visitor at Heckscher State Park, while another camper at Croton Point Park mentions, "there are lots of bunnies!" These wildlife sightings add educational value for children.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup information: Wildwood State Park Campground offers comprehensive hookups. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares a camper, though specific details about electrical amperage and water pressure are rarely mentioned in reviews.
Seasonal considerations: RV sites have different operating seasons than cabins at some locations. "Stayed here for 6 nights and it was great. Clean, friendly, safe and relaxing!" notes an RVer who visited during peak summer season, contrasting with cabin availability that sometimes extends into shoulder seasons or year-round.
Site configuration and separation: "There is a separate area for RVs vs tents," notes a Wildwood State Park visitor, indicating that motorized and non-motorized camping sections are separated, which may affect group dynamics for travelers using mixed accommodation types.
