Camping near Fire Island National Seashore offers both oceanfront and woodland experiences. The area features a unique coastal environment where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Great South Bay, creating diverse habitats for wildlife. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with fewer crowds at campgrounds.
What to do
Beach activities: Shinnecock East County Park provides direct beach access for fishing, swimming, and relaxing. "The ocean is beautiful and we catch stripe bass. The bay is peaceful and we go crabbing," shares Anthony M. who visits at least once annually.
Boating opportunities: At Sears Bellows County Park, visitors can rent rowboats to explore Bellows Pond. "The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap," notes Nadia V. who stayed at the park.
Trail exploration: The wooded areas offer hiking and biking trails for nature enthusiasts. "The trails were beautiful, and the flowers were in bloom. There were people who were also biking on these trails, which looked like so much fun!" reports a visitor to Sears Bellows County Park.
What campers like
Oceanfront camping: The ability to camp directly on the beach stands out as a rare experience. "Camping directly on the beach at one of the nicest beaches in the world. You cannot find another place like this!!" exclaims Kayla G. about Shinnecock East County Park.
Peaceful atmosphere: The natural setting provides a quiet retreat from urban environments. "My grandkids love camping here, it is so peaceful and great biking and hiking," shares Vivian T. about her experience at Sears Bellows County Park.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room to spread out at the woodland campgrounds. "Tucked away in the woods is a beatiful well kept & maintained campground with spacious sites, a lake with kayaking access, and trails for bike riding and hiking," describes a frequent visitor to Sears Bellows.
What you should know
Limited electrical access: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal or no electrical hookups. According to one camper at Sears Bellows County Park, "the only down fall no electricity," which might affect planning for those requiring power.
4x4 requirements: For beach camping areas, appropriate vehicles are mandatory. "[A] 4x4 a must, air down a must," advises Lisa M. regarding access to Shinnecock East County Park, adding that there are options to camp "on the bay or ocean side" plus "a hill top section."
Horse campground limitations: Despite searches for horse campgrounds near Fire Island National Seashore, dedicated equestrian facilities are scarce. Local campgrounds don't offer horse corrals or designated equestrian camping areas, requiring horse owners to seek alternatives further inland.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Children will find recreational facilities at some campgrounds. "The playground is really nice and big has a lot of slides," mentions Gino D. about Sears Bellows, also noting the campground is "more woodsy" and "good for dogs."
Fish for dinner: Family fishing can provide both activity and meals. One visitor observed fellow campers at Sears Bellows "cooking up some type of fish for their dinner that they caught that day," suggesting fishing can become a memorable family experience.
Off-grid experience: Consider how your family handles primitive camping conditions. One regular visitor describes Sears Bellows as "perfect for anyone who wants to camp off the grid" and "perfect for a peaceful and quiet weekend/week stay."
Tips from RVers
Beach RV restrictions: At Shinnecock East County Park, there are accommodation limitations to note. "Dry camping in an RV no tents," explains a reviewer, emphasizing that tent campers should look elsewhere for beach camping options.
Water hookup availability: While electrical hookups are limited, some campgrounds provide water access. "Each camp site spot has a provided water hook up," mentions a regular camper at Sears Bellows, which helps with basic RV needs despite the lack of electrical connections.
Generator options: Some campgrounds that lack electrical hookups may allow alternatives. At Sears Bellows, according to visitor reports, "This campground does not have an electric hook up but generators are allowed!" which can be crucial information for RV campers requiring some power.
