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Best Campgrounds near Cold Spring Harbor, NY

303 Reviews

Campgrounds near Cold Spring Harbor, New York range from state parks to county facilities with diverse accommodations for tent and RV camping. Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown and Battle Row Campground in Old Bethpage offer year-round camping options within accessible driving distance. Both locations feature tent and RV sites with varying amenities. Slightly farther east, Heckscher State Park Campground in East Islip and Wildwood State Park Campground in Wading River provide more developed facilities with cabins available at both locations. These mixed-use campgrounds cater to different camping preferences with picnic tables, fire rings, and bathroom facilities available at most locations.

Seasonal operation varies significantly among Long Island camping areas, with some facilities like Heckscher State Park only open from late May through early September, while others like Blydenburgh County Park remain accessible year-round. Most campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited. The region experiences typical northeastern seasonal patterns with humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall popular for comfortable camping temperatures. Facilities closer to the coast often experience stronger winds and maritime weather patterns. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, though may vary at more remote sites. One camper shared their experience at Blydenburgh: "This is my favorite all around park in Suffolk County. Camp on grass! Lovely trees. Everyone is nice. Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms."

Many of the camping areas near Cold Spring Harbor provide family-friendly environments with moderate privacy between sites. Several visitors mentioned clean facilities as a highlight, though site spacing varies considerably between locations. Blydenburgh County Park receives positive reviews for its hiking trails and lake access, while Battle Row earns praise for its quiet atmosphere and well-maintained grounds. Heckscher State Park's tent camping area features more open layouts with less defined boundaries between sites. A recent review noted: "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 have lots of sun." Proximity to beaches and water features represents a common attraction for campers in this region, with beach access available at several of the coastal state park campgrounds.

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Best Camping Sites Near Cold Spring Harbor, New York (46)

    1. Blydenburgh County Park

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

    "just a great place to get away from home"

    "The group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over, (about 20 minutes from home.)"

    2. Battle Row Campground

    4 Reviews
    Old Bethpage, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 572-8690

    $5 - $60 / night

    "You can take bike rides , and relax outside with a nice amount of space to yourself ."

    3. Heckscher State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Great River, NY
    18 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."

    4. Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Long Beach, NY
    20 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. Wildwood State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $250 / 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."

    6. Battle Row Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Old Bethpage, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 572-8690

    7. Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park

    41 Reviews
    Pomona, NY
    41 miles
    Website
    +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."

    8. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    Cross River, NY
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (914) 864-7317

    $45 - $55 / night

    "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."

    "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience. The staff is friendly as well"

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

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

    $25 - $159 / 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."

    10. Liberty Harbor RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Jersey City, NJ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (201) 516-7500

    $145 - $180 / night

    "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."

    "Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly."

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Recent Camping Photos near Cold Spring Harbor, NY

159 Photos of 46 Cold Spring Harbor Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cold Spring Harbor, NY

303 Reviews of 46 Cold Spring Harbor Campgrounds

  • 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!

  • Mindie C.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    West Point

    No frills but beautiful. Bath houses are absolutely spotless. Fire pits, electric and water hook ups only. Will return! Staff is friendly and helpful. Military families should check it out!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • Paul K.
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Croton Point Park

    Not the Best Place to Go in the Northeast By a Longshot

    Croton Point Campground is a modest little campground, located along the Hudson River within Croton Point Park in NY. In addition to camping, the park itself offers many of its own attractions, including swimming, hiking, kayaking, cabin rentals, and a host of other family-oriented activities just along the Hudson. 

    The park, which is honestly probably the largest attraction here, is located just an hour and a half outside of the city. This proximity is both its perk and its downfall, as the park itself, but particularly the campground, has become laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions only a New York State-run bureaucracy could ever make sense of, let alone hope to justify. 

    This includes all manner of restrictions on how you can camp, where you can camp, what equipment can be used, and use in relation to what particular site you may have been lucky enough to reserve. Much of this you can understand while imagining what may have taken place here to bring them to such measures, but it doesn't make it any easier to contend with. 

    In terms of the actual camping conditions Both the tenting section and RV sites are each very clustered together, and quite crowded, with regular patrols🚓(actual patrols) being made day and night, by both the Park Rangers and what appears to be general park staff members, all looking to see if you or your family might be doing something that they might consider outside of the guidelines or not in compliance with the many restrictions. 

    This is not to say you can't possibly have a good time here. It just might mean being a bit more diligent toward reviewing the potential legitimacy of your normal camping routine to ensure it meets with many restrictions and guidelines imposed, while also making yourself comfortable with some fairly regular surveillance during your stay here. These all being things we hoped to get away from while camping ourselves It just turned out to be a bit much for our particular liking.

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Nice campground with lots of sites

    I've been going to this campground every summer for at least 5 years. Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles. I usually host group camping trips and the single vehicle rule makes that very difficult.

    That aside, this is a very nice campground with various kinds of sites. 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. There is a separate area for RVs vs tents. There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day.

    There are hiking trails and you can walk to the beach. Note - it is a downhill walk to the beach. The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk.

    There are lots of stores nearby as well as orchards to pick your own fruits. I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby. I've been there during a full on thunderstorm and watched as the trees swayed in the wind.

    Lovely campground with lots of activities to entertain you.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    My favorite place for group camping

    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. I've been going here every summer since 2019 after it re-opened. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Water is also available near the sites.

    You can come here in tents as well as RVs and the staff is very nice. They toilets are cleaned constantly, though they are not immaculate. There is a shop at the entrance to get supplies if you need it and you can rent firepits and buy firewood. The ice cream trucks comes by as well. There is a playground just for the campground.

    Bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach. There is a pool, but it has not been open for many years. There are also hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak.

    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.

    Park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground and are diligent about cleaning up.

  • M
    May. 3, 2025

    Blydenburgh County Park

    Great stay

    If your going to be on Long Island ,Suffolk county is really only RV friendly place.Worth buying green key card for resident access.200 but you’d spend that 4 nights regardless.Very clean campgrounds lots of space.Not much to do inside the grounds.

  • Jacey H.
    Apr. 13, 2025

    West Point FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area

    Beautiful Military Campgrounds

    The campground is beautiful and the staff was wonderful! We started our camping season off right with a quick weekend stay at Round Pound. We were very impressed with the playground on site! Unfortunately, due to our early start in the camping season the weather did not allow us to enjoy fishing or the beach or water hook ups, however all areas looked well maintained. We are looking forward to stopping by Round Pond again in the near future.

    Just a note to other campers with T-Moblie, we did not have any service on the campsite, however just a hop in the car or a quick walk down the mountain for 5G service near the entrance off the main road. There is also free wifi at the commissary/exchange, which is about 2 miles away.

Guide to Cold Spring Harbor

Camping near Cold Spring Harbor, New York, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Going for a hike here in the morning before heading out" as a highlight of their stay.
  • Beach Access: Enjoy the sandy shores at Hammonasset State Park Campground. A visitor noted, "The beach was popular," making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Fishing and Snorkeling: At Wildwood State Park Campground, you can fish or snorkel. One camper shared, "Did some snorkeling & fishing!" which shows the variety of water activities available.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms at Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms are very old and very clean," highlighting the upkeep.
  • Secluded Sites: Many enjoy the privacy at Mahlon Dickerson Reservation. One visitor mentioned, "Our site is easily the nicest—only one neighbor," which adds to the peaceful experience.
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Hammonasset State Park Campground is noted for its lively environment. A camper remarked, "There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards," making it a fun place for families.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Be aware that some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. One reviewer at Beaver Pond Campground warned, "I DO NOT recommend going on holiday weekends or peak summer seasons."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. For example, Liberty Harbor RV Park is described as "basically a parking lot," so plan accordingly.
  • Pet Policies: If you're traveling with pets, check the rules. Wildwood State Park Campground does not allow pets, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that offer some privacy. A family at Clarence Fahnestock State Park enjoyed the "secluded, wooded sites nestled amongst big boulders."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Hammonasset State Park Campground mentioned, "There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in," which is great for keeping kids entertained.
  • Pack Essentials: Bring everything you need, especially if you're at a campground with limited amenities. A visitor at Liberty Harbor RV Park advised, "Bring everything you need."

Tips from RVers:

  • Maneuvering Space: Be cautious when driving into campgrounds. One RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park noted, "Getting in and out is not for someone in a brand new 45' travel trailer."
  • Check for Hookups: Make sure to verify if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A camper at Cheesequake State Park Campground mentioned, "There are no electric hookups despite what some pages may state."
  • Security: Many RV parks have security measures in place. One visitor at Liberty Harbor RV Park felt safe due to "24-hour security," which can be reassuring for families.

Camping near Cold Spring Harbor, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or relaxation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cold Spring Harbor, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cold Spring Harbor, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 46 campgrounds and RV parks near Cold Spring Harbor, NY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Cold Spring Harbor, NY?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cold Spring Harbor, NY?

What parks are near Cold Spring Harbor, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Cold Spring Harbor, NY that allow camping, notably Fire Island National Seashore and Gateway National Recreation Area.

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