Rachel L.
Scout
ScoutLiberty Harbor RV Park
Liberty Harbor RV Park
I love this location. Close to public transportation, great staff, and site security.
Best Campgrounds near Fort Salonga, NY
Long Island's north shore near Fort Salonga, New York features a variety of camping options within a 30-minute drive. Blydenburgh County Park in nearby Smithtown provides year-round camping with both tent and RV accommodations, complete with electric hookups and shower facilities. Wildwood State Park Campground in Wading River, approximately 15 miles east, offers a more extensive camping experience with tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping options from April through October. Cathedral Pines County Park and Southaven County Park provide additional year-round camping alternatives with varying levels of amenities and natural settings. Most campgrounds in this coastal region balance accessibility with natural surroundings.
Reservations are essential during summer months when beach-adjacent campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends. Many Suffolk County parks require permits obtained in advance, with different fee structures for county residents versus non-residents. RV travelers should note that parkway restrictions on Long Island can complicate travel routes, as one camper reported: "There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs cannot travel on them without risk of crashing into bridges. Google Maps doesn't have an option for large vehicles so I made my way manually and the trip took an extra hour." Weather conditions remain mild through most of the camping season, though coastal storms can affect fall camping plans.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the region. Fire Island National Seashore's Watch Hill Campground provides a distinctive coastal camping experience, with one visitor noting: "Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean." Heckscher State Park in East Islip offers both basic tent camping and premium beachside cottages. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with some featuring well-defined, spacious sites while others have minimal separation between camping areas. Wildlife encounters include deer, rabbits, and various shorebirds, though campers should be aware that some areas have significant tick populations, particularly in grassy coastal areas.
Best Camping Sites Near Fort Salonga, New York (46)
1. Blydenburgh County Park
11 ReviewsHauppauge, NY6 milesWebsite+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 ReviewsGreat River, NY15 milesWebsite+1 (631) 581-2100$24 - $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 ReviewsOld Bethpage, NY13 milesWebsite+1 (516) 572-8690$5 - $60 / night
"You can take bike rides , and relax outside with a nice amount of space to yourself ."
4. Wildwood State Park Campground
24 ReviewsWading River, NY25 milesWebsite+1 (631) 929-4314$24 - $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."
5. Cathedral Pines County Park
4 ReviewsMiddle Island, NY18 milesWebsite+1 (631) 852-55026. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore
7 ReviewsBayport, NY22 miles+1 (631) 597-6074"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."
7. Southaven County Park
7 ReviewsShirley, NY22 milesWebsite+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."
8. Smith Point County Park
9 ReviewsMastic Beach, NY26 milesWebsite+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."
9. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
10 ReviewsCross River, NY29 milesWebsite+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"
10. Nickerson Beach Park Campground
8 ReviewsLong Beach, NY27 milesWebsite+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."
Recent Camping Photos near Fort Salonga, NY
112 Photos of 46 Fort Salonga Campgrounds
Karen N.
Blydenburgh County Park
Ellen C.
Heckscher State Park Campground
Connor M.
Cathedral Pines County Park
Rosie R.
Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore
Giselle P.
Wildwood State Park Campground
Karen R.
Smith's Point
Paul R.
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Daniel F.
Indian Island County Park
Karen C.
Branchbrook campground
Taylor C.
Kettletown State Park Campground
Anil S.
Croton Point Park
Marcia K.
Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
Recent Reviews near Fort Salonga, NY
349 Reviews of 46 Fort Salonga Campgrounds
- RRuth M.
TravelerNew York City North/Newburgh KOA
Great place for a relaxing weekend
Going back for Memorial Day weekend my 3rd time going and always had a great time nice place ,clean Bathroom & Shower with hot water 👍🏽convenient location easy access to campground and lake
- MMisty V.Scout
Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
Secluded sites
Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to.
- AAmy P.
GuideSkyline RV Camp - Waterfront
Waterfront Skyline Views, Clean Bathrooms
A little intimidating driving in to a nondescript gate at the end of a narrow street but the overall experience exceeded expectation. It’s essentially a spacious parking lot with electrical pedestals but the view of the skyline across the water is spectacular and there’s a metro station within a 10-minute walk. The area feels safe and is pedestrian friendly, even at night (we were there Halloween night and we took our kids out trick-or-treating just outside the gate). During the day, I saw another RV patron walking to do their laundry just outside the complex on the next street over (I didn’t ask where exactly). On-site bathrooms were warm and clean. There were portable showers available but beware the broken shower head holders and lack of shelving/hooks for towels & clothing. This was a minor issue considering the convenience of RV accommodations so easily accessible within the NYC region, would definitely recommend. I couldn’t find a map prior to my booking but would suggest requesting the highest number site available for best direct views.
- EEmily L.
RangerLiberty 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!
- EErc L.Scout
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.ScoutCroton 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.
- JJames O.Scout
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)
- HH. M.Scout
Hammonasset State Park Campground
Worst Camp Hosts
Absolute 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.
Guide to Fort Salonga
Suffolk County offers a variety of camping spots near Fort Salonga, New York, with options extending from coastal sites to inland forest settings. The region features predominantly sandy soil with pine barrens dominating inland areas and tidal marshes along shorelines. Weather remains temperate from April through October with average summer highs in the mid-80s and overnight lows rarely dropping below 60°F during peak camping season.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Southaven County Park provides year-round access to freshwater fishing on its lake. "I rented a rowboat, and used that for a large part of the morning. They also have some kayaks available to rent as well," notes one visitor. The park maintains several well-maintained walking, hiking and biking trails nearby.
Beach activities: At Smith Point County Park, campsites sit between bay and ocean waters. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," reports one camper. The oceanfront beach area provides swimming access during summer months when lifeguards are present.
Stargazing: Beach locations offer excellent night sky viewing. "Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean," notes a visitor to Watch Hill Fire Island Campground. Permits are required for beach access after sunset at some locations.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Cathedral Pines County Park offers secluded camping in a pine forest setting. "Wooded sites are lovely. RV sites in large field," notes one camper. The park maintains separate camping areas for tents versus RVs to accommodate different camping styles.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks feature resident wildlife populations. "Wildlife: deer, rabbits, turtles" reports a camper at Heckscher State Park. At Smith Point County Park, many visitors mention deer encounters: "You get visits from the nearby deer. It is paradise."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain regular bathroom cleaning schedules. At Wildwood State Park Campground, "Bathrooms and showers were clean, campsites were generously spaced, water spouts at almost every site," according to one visitor. Most parks feature multiple comfort stations throughout camping areas.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Suffolk County parks require Green Key cards for resident discounts. "Worth buying green key card for resident access. $200 but you'd spend that 4 nights regardless," notes a visitor to Blydenburgh County Park. Non-residents pay higher fees at most county parks.
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be particularly problematic in coastal areas. "Come with deet repellent as mosquitos are vicious," advises a Watch Hill Fire Island camper. Ticks are also common throughout the region, particularly in wooded areas and tall grass.
Fire restrictions: Fire rings are not standard at all campgrounds. "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," reports a visitor to Heckscher State Park. Some locations require rental of fire rings or prohibit ground fires.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Heckscher State Park Campground features dedicated play areas. "There is a playground just for the campground," notes one reviewer. Smith Point also receives praise from families: "Perfect place to take the little ones has a beautiful lake and a really nice playground."
Entertainment options: Some parks provide scheduled activities. "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," reports an Heckscher State Park visitor. Rangers at Watch Hill offer programs specifically designed for children.
Security considerations: Most parks maintain regular security patrols. "Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe," according to one Heckscher State Park visitor. Quiet hours are typically enforced but intensity varies by location and season.
Tips from RVers
Parkway restrictions: Navigation presents challenges for larger vehicles. "There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs cannot travel on them without risk of crashing into bridges. Google Maps doesn't have an option for large vehicles so I made my way manually and the trip took an extra hour," cautions a visitor to Nickerson Beach Park Campground. Use commercial GPS or mapping apps with RV mode enabled.
Utility connections: Wildwood State Park provides full-service sites. "There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site," notes one RVer. Many parks offer both partial and full hookup options with varying amperage availability.
Campsite spacing: Site sizes and privacy vary considerably between parks. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig," reports a Wildwood State Park visitor, while others note some locations have "narrow campsites" requiring careful positioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Fort Salonga, NY?
What camping is available near Fort Salonga, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fort Salonga, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 46 campgrounds and RV parks near Fort Salonga, NY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Salonga, NY?
Which is the most popular campground near Fort Salonga, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fort Salonga, NY is Blydenburgh County Park with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Salonga, NY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fort Salonga, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Fort Salonga, NY.
What parks are near Fort Salonga, NY?
What parks are near Fort Salonga, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Fort Salonga, NY that allow camping, notably Fire Island National Seashore and Gateway National Recreation Area.
Keep Exploring