RV parks near Bellmore, New York occupy mostly coastal settings across Nassau County and nearby areas. Most campgrounds operate from April through November, with a few offering year-round access. Swimming beaches adjoin several of the camping facilities, though dogs aren't typically permitted on beach areas even when allowed at campsites.
What to do
Beach activities at Nickerson Beach Park: Located in Lido Beach, the campground provides direct access to Atlantic Ocean beaches. "Surf City, which was a unique and fun spot for end of day dinner & drinks," notes a visitor to the nearby Liberty Harbor RV Park. The beach area requires a 10-minute walk from the campground through concrete parking areas.
Hiking in Harriman State Park: About 50 miles northwest of Bellmore, Beaver Pond Campground offers access to numerous hiking trails. "The trails in the area are friendly to hikers, bikers, and the non arthritic kneers, as most are rated moderate to challenging," according to one camper. Several Appalachian Trail sections run through the area with connecting routes to Bear Mountain State Park.
NYC sightseeing from Jersey City: Staying at Liberty Harbor provides convenient access to Manhattan. "There is a ferry 100-yards away that takes you to Wall Street M-F. There is a great market about 1/4 of a mile away, and the path that can take you to WTC or 33rd Street area is only a mile away," explains one visitor. Many travelers use this location as a base for Statue of Liberty tours.
What campers like
Waterfront locations: Several campgrounds offer water views or beach access. At Heckscher State Park Campground, beachfront cottages provide premium accommodations. "Modern facility with full kitchen accessories, clean interior, clean campground, modern cottage with propane fireplace, WiFi access, bathroom with shower, large screened in porch with bar height table and 4 chairs," reports one guest.
Military installation camping: Active and retired military personnel can access dedicated facilities like NWS Earle RV Park in Colts Neck, NJ. "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio," notes one reviewer. These facilities typically offer better amenities at lower prices than civilian campgrounds.
Group camping options: Many families appreciate the layout at parks like Heckscher State Park. "This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun," mentions a regular visitor who has camped there since 2019.
What you should know
Off-season availability: Most campgrounds near Bellmore operate seasonally. Battle Row Campground in Old Bethpage remains open year-round but offers limited services in winter. One visitor noted: "We stayed here on a Thursday night in September prior to taking off backpacking. The campground was clean and quiet. RV hook-ups, tent platforms, and rustic tent sites were available."
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially during summer months. Military campgrounds may have different reservation systems than public facilities. Weekend availability becomes extremely limited from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Wildlife considerations: Some camping areas experience wildlife activity, requiring proper food storage. One camper at Beaver Pond noted: "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping." Bear activity has been reported at campgrounds in the Harriman State Park area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated playground areas. At Allaire State Park, facilities include "a playground for the kids and camp-sinks with access to water." Heckscher State Park offers a separate playground just for campground users.
Noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds tend to have higher noise levels. A visitor to Beaver Pond Campground described "a constant buzz in the air of conversation, music, laughter and shrieking toddlers. Quiet time at night is laughable as the enjoyment of being in nature rages on into the early morning."
Budget considerations: Local camping fees vary widely based on amenities. At Beaver Pond, one camper noted "camping for just $15" for basic sites, while cottage rentals at Heckscher run "$225-$285 per night during off peak seasons and $250-$320 per night during the peak seasons."
Tips from RVers
Low bridge warnings: When approaching campgrounds, avoid parkways with height restrictions. One RVer traveling to Nickerson Beach Park Campground shared: "I drove down from Connecticut to Long Island to find the main routes to the campsite all went through New York's parkways. There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs and semis cannot travel on them without a high risk of crashing into the bridges."
Site spacing considerations: RV parks vary greatly in site density. At Liberty Harbor, one camper observed: "If it's packed, your neighbor with be within inches of your rig. Pluses, minutes walk to the Statue of Liberty, liberty Science center."
Fire pit restrictions: Not all campgrounds provide fire rings or allow ground fires. At Battle Row, "There are NO fire pits, you must bring your own. Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground."