Best Campgrounds near Deer Park, NY

Campgrounds near Deer Park, New York concentrate along Long Island's coast, with established facilities like Blydenburgh County Park and Heckscher State Park accommodating a range of camping styles. The area features both tent and RV sites, with some campgrounds also offering cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms and showers. Several parks maintain year-round operations while others like Heckscher State Park operate seasonally from May through September.

Suffolk County manages multiple mixed-use campgrounds with varying levels of development and accessibility. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when demand peaks. "This is more of a drive-in picnicking park than anything else. They have some activities and areas for games, but I wouldn't really consider it somewhere to camp," noted one visitor about Heckscher State Park. Weather conditions remain mild throughout camping season, though coastal locations can experience strong winds. Most campgrounds feature relatively flat terrain suitable for both tent and RV camping, with electric hookups available at most established sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region.

Camping experiences vary significantly between the more developed sites near populated areas and the somewhat secluded waterfront locations. The campgrounds offering water access tend to receive higher ratings, with Smith Point County Park earning particularly positive reviews for its beach proximity. Several visitors mentioned the lack of privacy at some locations, with one camper noting "the campsites are very close together without any defining borders so everybody just walks across each other's sites." Families appear to appreciate the safety and amenities of established campgrounds like Heckscher State Park, while those seeking solitude might prefer sites in the more wooded areas of Blydenburgh or Cathedral Pines County Parks. Wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species, enhance the camping experience for many visitors despite the relatively developed nature of these Long Island campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Deer Park, New York (35)

    1. Blydenburgh County Park

    11 Reviews
    Hauppauge, NY
    7 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. Heckscher State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Great River, NY
    9 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. 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 ."

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

    7 Reviews
    Bayport, NY
    18 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."

    5. Nickerson Beach Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Long Beach, NY
    19 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."

    6. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    30 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."

    7. Smith Point County Park

    9 Reviews
    Mastic Beach, NY
    25 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."

    8. Southaven County Park

    7 Reviews
    Shirley, NY
    23 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. Cathedral Pines County Park

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

    10. Battle Row Campground

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

201 Reviews of 35 Deer Park Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Joe R.
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Worth it

    This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8.

    Staff is average, as this is not meant to be high end. They are nice but a bit rough. We had some issues with our converter and they wanted to extort a 20% commission to allow our repair man in. A bit of logical conversation put that idea to sleep. Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. The bath house was above average and heated. The laundry was helpful and was acceptable. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless.

    Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Croton Point Park

    Not too much to offer

    General: A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites near a capped dump! There is a lodge and cabins close to the end of the point, but they appeared to be part of a group camp experience. They all appeared to be closed for the season (or because no one was renting at the time; they reminded me of places I used to take youth groups for weekend camps). The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site.

    Site Quality: We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together. No one was in the tent sites, but they did have new picnic tables.

    Activities/Amenities: Other than a playground and a basketball court, there did not seem to be any activities to partake in. There used to be a pool but from the looks of it, it hasn’t been in use for many years. There are walking paths outside of the campground that are located within the park, but we did not have time to explore them. 

    Bath/Shower house: Clean but a bit dated. No shelves or hooks for toiletries. I was surprised the door was left open all night long. There was a sign warning that the toilets were slow flushing, but I think this may have been fixed because the flush was so powerful that the water splashed over the top of the seat! 

    Because it was on a point on the Hudson, I had hoped for views from the campground but there were too many trees to see the water. I was perplexed by the signs throughout saying no trespassing/fishing prohibited. I get the no fishing part but the trespassing? When we checked in, we had to write down our credit card number on a slip of paper before we were given a key that opened the gate to the campground. When we checked out, we asked for the paper or to watch it get shredded but were told they had to keep it on file which concerned us.

  • Prashant M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Indian Island County Park

    Very Busy! Close quarters! Can be loud and neighbors are ignorant of rules

    Stayed at this campground this past weekend and yes it was a long weekend so the campground was packed. All the camping spots are pretty much right next to each one with hardly any space, packed like Sardines. Neighbors are loud and some of them are ignorant of the park rules. Staying on the phones in the middle of the night while talking so loud that all camping neighbors can hear their whole story

    Its a pity that they take a nice park and remove the fun out of camping. 

    However the walk to the beach area was very serene, especially early morning before sunrise and didn't feel like we live in dense suburbia and sunrise from the beach was worth the trip

    Camp site itself was pretty flat, had a water station, bathrooms were well kept , no fire ring (BYOFP)

  • Jake R.
    Oct. 15, 2024

    Campgaw Mountain Reservation

    Busy but Lonely

    Campgaw doesn’t seem to offer much in terms of a camping experience. The sites themselves are fairly close to the road and there are super popular hiking trails that run right through all the camps. If you like being woken up by folks walking their dog at 7 AM, this is the spot for you.

    However, once the sun goes down, the campsite becomes a ghost town (except for the odd sheriff driving down the road). We went on a holiday weekend, and we were the only campsite that was occupied, so that is absolutely a plus. There was also plenty to do during the day, like joining the hikers on those trails, disc golf, and sitting by the water.

    All-in-all, it is not a terrible site, especially considering the cheap price.


Guide to Deer Park

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

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Harriman State Park - Beaver Pond Campground. One camper mentioned, "Going for a hike here in the morning before heading out" made their stay memorable.
  • 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: Try your luck at fishing in nearby lakes. One camper at Wildwood State Park Campground shared, "You can swim or fish there," highlighting the campground's proximity to water activities.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms at Kettletown State Park Campground. One review stated, "The facilities are in good shape, friendly staff."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Many families enjoy the activities at Riverdale Farm Campsites. A happy camper said, "They had great prizes for cheap cost" during bingo nights.
  • Secluded Sites: Campers at Clarence Fahnestock State Park love the privacy of certain spots. One reviewer mentioned, "Some sites are grouped in open areas. These lack privacy," but others found great secluded areas.

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Be aware that some campgrounds can get noisy, especially on weekends. A visitor at Hammonasset State Park Campground warned, "It was loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive amenities. For instance, Liberty Harbor RV Park is described as "just a parking lot," so plan accordingly.
  • Booking in Advance: Popular spots fill up quickly. One camper at Wildwood State Park Campground advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Riverdale Farm Campsites, where activities like bingo keep kids entertained. A parent shared, "They did a show on the beach one night that was fun too."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring along games and outdoor toys. One family enjoyed the playground at Riverdale Farm Campsites, saying, "The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Kettletown State Park Campground noted, "Noise was not a problem overnight."

Tips from RVers:

  • Know Your Rig: Maneuvering in tight spaces can be tricky. A reviewer at Liberty Harbor RV Park advised, "Getting in and out is not for someone in a brand new 45' travel trailer."
  • Check for Amenities: Some parks may lack full amenities. A visitor at Cheesequake State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathrooms could be cleaner but many other pros."
  • Stay Safe: Security is often a priority. One camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park felt safe due to "24-hour security," which is a plus in a busy area.

Camping around Deer Park, NY, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Deer Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Deer Park, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 35 campgrounds and RV parks near Deer Park, NY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Deer Park, NY?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Deer Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Deer Park, NY.

What parks are near Deer Park, NY?

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