The campsites near Hampton Bays, New York range from beachfront campgrounds to wooded inland retreats, most sitting at elevations below 50 feet above sea level. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate with warm summers averaging 80°F and mild winters, making it ideal for extended camping seasons from April through October. Most cabin accommodations in this region require advance booking due to limited availability, especially for waterfront units.
What to do
Beach activities along Long Island Sound: At Wildwood State Park Campground, campers enjoy a unique coastline experience. "It's a fun campground, has a great beach & great bathroom facilities. It doesn't have that much of the camping feel, though, as there's not many trees in the campsite area," explains Courtney K. The beach offers swimming and scenic views across to Connecticut.
Hiking trails with coastal views: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers trail systems that connect directly to beach areas. "My family has camped at Rocky Neck every year since i was a child. Every site had a central bathhouse and they have a variety of tree covering options for each campers preferences. The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails," shares Mauricio R.
Ferry excursions to Fire Island: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground offers a unique camping experience accessible only by ferry. "Fire Island is a great spot in the summer, but can be busy. 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," notes Jill F. The campground provides a more secluded beach experience about 30 minutes by ferry from mainland Long Island.
Backcountry beach camping: For experienced campers seeking solitude, Watch Hill offers special permit options. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it. After that you can choose where you want to set up camp," explains Emily S.
What campers like
Proximity to wine country: Wildwood State Park Campground offers easy access to Long Island wineries. "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," says James O. Most wineries open at 11 AM and are within 15-30 minutes of the campground.
Amenities for extended stays: North Fork Cottages & RV Resort provides cabin accommodations with full facilities. "The staff was extremely nice and helpful. The sites were exactly what we needed. Grassy and flat for our tent. Easy access to water and electric," reports Corey M., making it suitable for longer visits to explore the Hamptons region.
Beach access and shuttles: Niantic KOA offers transportation to nearby beaches. "They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT," notes Snooz H. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring multiple beach areas without moving your camp setup.
Nature programs and wildlife viewing: Hammonasset State Park Campground features educational opportunities. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," shares Tiffany T.
What you should know
Insect preparation is critical: At Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, bugs can be problematic. "It was absolutely gorgeous, don't get me wrong. However, it was nearly impossible to enjoy ourselves because we were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend. Even with the bug spray, the relief didn't last long," warns Rosie R. Bring mosquito netting and shelter options.
Fire pit availability varies: Many campgrounds require special arrangements for campfires. "Nice size camp site, bathrooms are descent, lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own," mentions Ossama B. about Wildwood State Park. Confirm fire policies before arrival and reserve pits if needed.
Ferry-dependent access: Fire Island campgrounds require planning for transportation logistics. "Only about 20 min drive and 30 min ferry trip for us we got to watch hill. Awesome place close to home easy check in and very friendly ppl. It's a bit of a walk to camp site but all on board walk (we took to carts full of stuff)," explains Pedro R. The ferry runs on a scheduled timetable that varies seasonally.
Cabin booking windows: Most cabin rental facilities in the area open reservations 9 months in advance. Peak season cabins often book completely within weeks of reservation windows opening, particularly for weekend dates from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips for camping with families
Group-friendly sites: Heckscher State Park Campground offers spacious areas ideal for family gatherings. "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," explains Giselle P. The open layout makes it easy to monitor children across multiple sites.
Campground activities: Riverdale Farm Campsites offers structured entertainment for children. "Great Value and Nice Family owned business. The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice. They did a show on the beach one night that was fun too. We did bingo too," shares Nick H.
Beach camping with amenities: Hammonasset State Park Campground combines beach access with facilities. "We've read some reviews, but we surprised how nice this place is, large sights, mostly families, not loud, descent bathrooms, warm showers, nice beaches, great hiking and bird watching," reports Ossama B. The campground provides multiple bathroom facilities throughout the camping areas.
Kid-friendly transportation: Many campgrounds feature internal shuttle systems. "There is a security gate at the entrance," notes Joel R. about Riverdale Farm Campsites, adding to the family-friendly atmosphere where children can move about safely.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Wolf's Den Family Campground accommodates various RV sizes but with limitations. "Really long or tall RV will need to stay close to the front of the campground, as typical older campground is not designed for 40 foot long or 10 foot high campers," advises Kevin J. Book early for premium spots if traveling with larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: Rocky Neck State Park Campground offers limited services for RVs. "No water or electric hookup. Wi-fi not available at this campground. Fire wood is sold at camp office. There is no store in park - no ice either," reports Nita D. Plan accordingly for boondocking or limited hookup camping.
Laundry access considerations: Riverdale Farm Campsites has restricted hours for services. "Laundry was only accessible during business hours," notes Thomas. Pack sufficient clothing or plan laundry days around facility hours.
Pull-through availability: Wildwood State Park provides convenient RV sites. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares Lori R. First-time RVers particularly appreciate the easy access design of these sites.
