Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Centerport, NY

Blydenburgh County Park's pet-friendly camping area welcomes dogs throughout the year, offering spacious sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Tent and RV campers can bring their pets to this Smithtown location, where dogs must remain on leash while exploring the 7-mile loop trail around the lake. Wildwood State Park Campground in Wading River similarly accommodates pets at its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites from April through October. Both parks provide drinking water access and clean restroom facilities, though neither offers dedicated dog parks or off-leash areas. Staff at Blydenburgh County Park maintain a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for campers with dogs, and the park's hiking trails are particularly popular with dog owners.

Cathedral Pines County Park and Southaven County Park also permit pets at their year-round campgrounds, with both locations featuring electric hookups and fire rings. Campers report the dense woods at some locations create mosquito-heavy environments during summer months, requiring appropriate protection for both humans and pets. Wildlife encounters, particularly with deer and raccoons, necessitate proper food storage and pet supervision. The parks enforce quiet hours, though enforcement varies by location and season. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times while exploring trails, and waste must be properly disposed of in designated trash receptacles. Nickerson Beach Park Campground allows dogs at campsites but prohibits them on the beach, offering a separate dog park area for exercise.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Centerport, New York (30)

    1. Blydenburgh County Park

    11 Reviews
    Hauppauge, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 854-3713

    "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."

    "Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms"

    2. Heckscher State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Great River, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 581-2100

    $20 - $285 / night

    "* cottages far enough away from each other

    • fire ring with Adirondack chairs
    • dumpster and recycling within walking distance
    • lots of bone dry firewood around for campfire
    • walkable beach"

    "Overall my experience was positive. Camping Sites

    Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill."

    3. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $225 / night

    "The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."

    "However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."

    4. Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Long Beach, NY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 571-7700

    "It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around."

    "Very close to everything."

    5. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

    7 Reviews
    Bayport, NY
    25 miles
    +1 (631) 597-6074

    $35 - $197 / night

    "Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean. Not ready for full on camp-life? No problem!"

    "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. Take a quick walk down to the beach."

    6. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    10 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."

    "Close to the city and civilization, yet large enough to have nice trails and creeks to feel away from it all. The camping sites are very different so it’s useful to go in person and select the area."

    7. Cathedral Pines County Park

    4 Reviews
    Middle Island, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-5502

    8. Southaven County Park

    7 Reviews
    Shirley, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-1391

    $33 / night

    "Recently went camping in our pull behind, met some old friends and had a great time. Rangers have a hardon for people screwing up tho. Think they're all that and then some..."

    "Great Location Clean Park."

    9. New York City North/Newburgh KOA

    40 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    43 miles
    +1 (845) 947-2792

    $17 - $20 / night

    "15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!!"

    "Drive-in tent campgrounds. Adequate restroom facilities sprinkled amongst tent sites. Some campsites have raised platforms. All sites have picnic tables and fire ring with flip-top grill."

    10. Smith Point County Park

    9 Reviews
    Mastic Beach, NY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-1315

    "Literally steps to the beach."

    "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite. No shade so be prepared to wake early if you’re in a sweltering tent. Staff has been great, no complaints."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Centerport, NY

356 Reviews of 30 Centerport Campgrounds


  • Mackenzie B.
    Aug. 4, 2018

    Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    surfers dream

    I grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.

    benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer

  • Nadia V.
    Aug. 24, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Definitely a place to visit!

    Camp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • Christy C.
    Jun. 10, 2017

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    "Camping" in Brooklyn

    We tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.

    The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.

    The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.

  • Carrie J.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Weird One

    This place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.

  • s
    Sep. 21, 2018

    Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Sandy Hook is a plesant campground with great rangers working there

    Very reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City.

  • Karla S.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    New York City View

    There is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.

  • Tara N.
    Jul. 17, 2021

    Totoket Valley RV Park

    Perfect for a stop over

    Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table. There is a wonderful little frozen custard shop down the road called roses farm stand. It’s a perfect campground for seeing the local area or even catching the train to New York City.

  • K
    Aug. 9, 2019

    New York City North/Newburgh KOA

    Super lindo y el Personal muy amable

    Super lindo todo!! $15 dolares la noche para los que viven en el Estado de New York o New York city .. si es fuera del estado son $5 dolares mas!! Lo mejor es reservar online y escojer el espacio pero no es obligatorio.. si quieres acampar en un area lejos y solo pues escojan la seccion W... no todas las secciones tienen una plataforma de madera para poner tu caseta de campaña.. algunas secciones son las casetas ensima de la grama.. lo mejor es buscar una seccion que esten los bańos y las duchas cerca en caso también de que se te antoje ir de madrugada ... para el mes de Agosto no habia nada de mosquitos ni moscas .. El personal muy amable .. no habia mucha vigilancia.. lo que si es llevar mucho gas y carbon y palos de madera para la fogata y estar preparado si llueve.. hay una tienda que venden palos para la fogata $12.. venden Cafe $1 . Hielo $5 ..$10  .. venden frisas .. leche y muchas cosas mas!!! Hay un lago estilo playa..bueno lo unico que los que no están acostumbrados a ver o escuchar animales salvajes es un poco miedoso en la noche!! Nunca tener comida ni nada de olor dentro de las casetas por que los osos viene por la comida .. dejar todo dentro del carro .. y en fin todo muy lindo.. los bańos y bańera muy limpios y ademas puedes cargar en el bańo el celular


Guide to Centerport

Suffolk County campgrounds near Centerport offer varied settings from dense pine forest to shoreline sites on both the Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, though several remain open year-round. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while fall camping brings cooler nights around 45-55°F and less crowded conditions.

What to do

Beach access for dogs: While Wildwood State Park Campground prohibits dogs on the beach, it provides trails where leashed pets can explore. "Short distance from the NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal," notes Zorina N.

Hiking with views: The 40+ miles of trails at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation range from easy to challenging. "This is a really great place to camp. The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well," says Jeremy S.

Fishing opportunities: Blydenburgh County Park offers a 7-mile loop trail around a lake with decent fishing. Erik R. mentions, "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."

What campers like

Beach camping experience: Smith Point County Park provides sites close to both bay and ocean. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite. No shade so be prepared to wake early if you're in a sweltering tent," advises Ali O.

Accessible nature near NYC: Beaver Pond Campground offers a quick escape from urban areas. "Great location and quick to get to from NYC. 45 minute drive and location has a lot of amenities. Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite," shares Kelvin.

Secluded forest sites: Cathedral Pines County Park features wooded camping areas that provide more privacy. Connor M. notes, "Usually every site (I think $14 a night for green key members) has a decent fire pit / grill. Usually quiet, occasional deer."

What you should know

Fire pit restrictions: Several parks require campers to bring their own fire pits or rent them on site. At Heckscher State Park Campground, "No fire pits on any of the sites, although I learned afterwards that they do allow you to bring your own metal fire pit as long as it is elevated off the ground," according to Ellen C.

Resident discounts: Many Suffolk County parks offer significant discounts for county residents with a Green Key card. One visitor to Southaven County Park mentioned, "You need a Green Key card membership for reservation which at least got me a 50% ($9) discount on beach parking."

Insect preparation: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground requires serious bug protection. Rosie R. warns, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Platform tent sites: Harriman State Park offers raised platforms that keep tents dry during wet conditions. "The biggest positive about Beaver Pond is how spread out it was. You definitely feel like you have your own space... Many of the camping options were on platforms which is especially nice if it recently rained," explains Ethan K.

Playground access: Several dog friendly campgrounds near Centerport include dedicated play areas. "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... There is a playground just for the campground," notes Giselle P.

Beach safety: Nickerson Beach Park Campground offers lifeguarded swimming areas during summer. "I grew up in Long Beach. If you're looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It's basically a parking lot, but it's steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast," says Mackenzie B.

Tips from RVers

Hookup options: Smith Point County Park offers full hookups at RV sites with prime views. "Our 36ft motorhome backed up to a raised balcony overlooking the bay. Less than 100 feet from the front of our site was the beach and the Atlantic Ocean view," reports Patrick C.

Site spacing considerations: Wildwood State Park separates tent and RV camping areas. Michael G. notes, "Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs. Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."

Off-season advantages: Many campgrounds offer better availability and quieter conditions during spring and fall. "Ranger said that during summer weekends the grounds fill up and can be quite noisy, but mid-week during the off-season it was great," Rebecca S. observed at Beaver Pond Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Centerport, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Centerport, NY is Blydenburgh County Park with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Centerport, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 30 dog-friendly camping locations near Centerport, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.