Camping opportunities near Sag Harbor, New York range from oceanfront sites to wooded retreats across Suffolk County. The eastern end of Long Island features diverse terrain with sandy beaches, salt marshes, and forested areas at elevations near sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer cooler temperatures between 50-70°F with less crowded conditions.
What to do
Beach activities: Montauk Beach can be accessed directly from Hither Hills State Park Campground. "Great view and nice beach. Nice place to run and also ride a road bike in the mornings. Few stores close by so you don't really need to bring raw food," notes a camper who gave the site 5 stars.
Kayaking: Four Mile River Launch is accessible for boaters staying at Niantic KOA. "My only regret is we didn't have a car. Some sites were a bit too far or too dangerous to bicycle so we spent money on Uber/Lyft to visit a few local sites for example to rent kayaks to explore the inlet and river," explains one visitor.
Hiking: Cedar Point Lighthouse Trail connects to camping areas at Cedar Point County Park. "Really great and surprisingly long hike to the old lighthouse with lots of area for playing games and swimming," according to one camper who visited during Labor Day weekend.
What campers like
Quick beach access: Many campers appreciate the proximity to beaches. At Shinnecock East County Park, you'll find "camping directly on the beach at one of the nicest beaches in the world. You cannot find another place like this!!" A 4x4 vehicle is required for beach camping with "beautiful views on the bay or ocean side."
Fishing opportunities: Fishing is popular at multiple locations around Sag Harbor. At Rocky Neck State Park, "hiking trails along the coast line" provide access to fishing spots. Campers at Sears Bellows County Park report, "we saw some people fishing in the pond - and it seemed like most people were catching. The people who stayed in the campsite next to us were cooking up some type of fish for their dinner that they caught that day."
Off-season tranquility: Many campgrounds offer a different experience outside peak season. "Spent Columbus Day weekend at Cedar Point. We pretty much had the entire park to ourselves. Arrived on Friday afternoon and enjoyed a quiet peaceful weekend with cool weather and no bugs," writes one visitor who appreciated the fall camping conditions.
What you should know
Reservations essential: Book early, especially for summer stays. For Hither Hills, one camper noted, "great place to camp, need to reserve about 1 year in advance when I went to reserve it." Similarly, another mentioned, "I booked it last year a month in advance out of pure luck and it still is one of the best camping trips I've had!"
Site privacy varies: Many campgrounds have limited separation between sites. At Hammonasset State Park Campground, "campground was a bit crowded and not much shade but the short walk to the beach made it worth it." Another noted, "sites are clean and spacious but very open."
Generator restrictions: For those without electric hookups, be aware of generator policies. At Hither Hills State Park, "generator hours are limited. There are spigots located down the middle of the rows. Go on google maps to find a spot near a spigot."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play facilities for children. At Sears Bellows County Park, "the playground is really nice and big has a lot of slides." The park also offers family-friendly rowing opportunities as "the first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap."
Organized activities: Some campgrounds provide scheduled events for children. At Niantic KOA, campers appreciate "many activities for kids and family. Well maintained facilities. Kind and helpful staff." Another visitor mentioned, "In season, there are many activities to occupy families including daily firetruck rides and complimentary shuttle into the town of Niantic."
Beach proximity: Families value easy beach access for kids. A Hither Hills visitor noted, "We really enjoyed this campground. The beach is great and the staff was very friendly. The camp sites are close to each other with little to no privacy but everyone in our area was nice. There's a ton of family's with kids."
Tips from RVers
Off-season RV camping: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for RVs. Indian Island County Park offers options where "sites include one paved parking spot, a fire pit and a picnic table. No water or electric hookup." Early spring visitors should note, "water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving and had to drive to fill the fresh water tank."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. North Fork Cottages & RV Resort provides "easy access to water and electric" even at tent sites. At Rocky Neck, note that there are "no sewer sites that I could tell," requiring use of the dump station.
Cell service considerations: Reception can be unreliable for remote work needs. At Hither Hills, "cell signal varies wildly by spot. B17 no problem at all. G14 spotty. F20 total dead zone," according to a camper who tested multiple locations.
