Fire Island National Seashore is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Fire Island National Seashore camping trip.
"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."
$25 - $159 / night
"Fire Island National Seashore! Take the ferry over across the bay to this quiet little gem on Long Island. Amazing, your own ocean and beach!"
"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!"
$20 - $285 / night
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- 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."
$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."
$20 - $250 / night
"Close to the Hampton's and Fire Island National Seashore. A great family campsite right on the Long Island Sound."
"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."
"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.)"
"Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."
"The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family. The bathrooms were mostly clean, and the shower was hot."
ScoutMy 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)
ScoutAbsolute worst Camp Hosts. They cancel every event they schedule while receiving free beach camping all summer. They’re an embarassment and a constant disappointment for young children. Shame on you and shame on Hammonasset.
GuideI'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.
GuideThis 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.
ScoutIf 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.
ScoutStayed 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)
GuideThe campsites are very close together without any defining borders so everybody just walks across each other site’s to get to a different one, a path, the bathroom, etc. No solitude, lots of families with kids, lots of music, I mean it’s basically a party. I didn’t realize this when I made my reservations. The place is great for families who want a safe space to camp and it’s a typical Long Island campground. Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe. I had a pick up truck w/ tinted windows follow me in the park for quite a while which was rather creepy and I couldn’t shake them. When I biked into the campground itself, the pick up truck couldn’t get past the check in area. Everyone I met was friendly and there’s a little shop in the front of the campgrounds that sells various items. I personally wouldn’t stay here again unless I was meeting up with friends or something and wasn’t trying to have more solitude. This is no fault of the park itself though, I’m just more of a woods girl.
LegendI had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground. They divide the loops with names. I unfortunately chose Pequot. This loop has THE WORST bathrooms/showers on the South side of the campground. Looks like they were built in 1950s with rotten wood siding. Dirty. The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses.
My first impression of this campground is it's loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road. I actually liked it! This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards,roller blades. Watch your speed! They don't always watch out for your car.
I found out most people stay through Sunday & leave on Monday. There were still lots of campers left. Lots of tent campers.
I chose site 14 on the Pequot Loop because I thought I would have a view of one of the ponds. There was tall vegetation, so that was out.
The sites on the other side of the loop were right by the main beach road. Noisy during the day, but quiet at night.
There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny.
There's no electricity at most of the sites. Our site was full sun(yay for the solar panel!). On Beach Road in the campground there's 2 rows of full hookup sites, but they go FAST! I tried.
NO PETS! Including dogs.
No WiFi, but there's cell service. At least 5 dump stations.
The beach was popular.
There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in.
They have a beautiful Nature Center. A couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves.
This was a good base camp for the area. Gillette Castle & other state parks are within driving distance. Connecticut is a beautiful state!!
GuideTruly great spot. Amazing sites with plenty of room, though they are close together. But was worth it for the amenities and fantastic views. Stayed on the bayside (site 30), which had a fantastic direct bay view. Although most sites have views of the bay, some are blocked by seagrass (for example site 28 - huge corner spot but the flat spot to park has an obstructed view). Literally steps to the beach.
Camping near Fire Island National Seashore, New York, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor fun. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the beach, hiking, and family activities.
Camping near Fire Island National Seashore, New York, provides a great mix of outdoor activities and family fun. Whether you're looking for a beach getaway or a peaceful retreat in nature, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the designated camping areas at Fire Island National Seashore?
The primary designated camping area at Fire Island National Seashore is Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore, which is accessible via ferry across the bay. This quiet gem offers beach access and ocean views. Another option near Fire Island is Smith Point County Park, which provides boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access with reservable sites. For those seeking a camping experience on Fire Island, these locations offer the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the seashore while having access to necessary facilities.
What amenities are available at Watch Hill campground on Fire Island?
Watch Hill campground on Fire Island offers several convenient amenities while still providing a genuine outdoor experience. The campground features showers and running water, making it comfortable for multi-day stays. While you'll enjoy the natural setting, you're not completely roughing it. The campground's main attraction is direct access to the ocean and beach, allowing campers to enjoy waterfront activities. For comparison, Wildwood State Park Campground on Long Island offers spacious bathrooms but sometimes has issues with shower temperature. Reservations are highly recommended for Watch Hill due to its popularity and limited space.
Can I have campfires and where can I get firewood on Fire Island?
Campfire regulations at Fire Island National Seashore are strictly enforced to protect the sensitive coastal environment. At designated campgrounds, fires are typically only permitted in provided fire rings or grills. For firewood, it's important to note that transporting wood from other areas is often prohibited to prevent the spread of invasive species. Similar to Sears Bellows County Park, which offers outdoor activities for families, firewood may be available for purchase at camp stores or from approved vendors near ferry landings. Always check current fire restrictions before your visit, as seasonal bans may be in place during dry periods or high fire danger.
Are permits required for camping at Fire Island National Seashore?
Yes, permits are required for camping at Fire Island National Seashore. The Watch Hill campground operates on a reservation system, and securing your spot in advance is highly recommended due to limited availability. Similar to other Long Island camping destinations like Heckscher State Park Campground, which has 69 tent/trailer sites, proper registration is necessary before setting up camp. For the most current permit information and to make reservations for Fire Island National Seashore camping, visit the official National Park Service website or contact the park directly. Remember that permits help manage visitor numbers and protect the natural resources of this unique coastal environment.
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