Eastern Long Island offers a blend of oceanfront and wooded camping experiences with temperatures ranging from 40°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Cell reception varies significantly by location at RV sites near Hampton Bays, New York, with stronger signals generally available at waterfront campgrounds. Campground layouts typically feature a mix of waterfront and standard sites with varying tree cover depending on proximity to beaches.
What to do
Beach activities: Walk to beaches from Hither Hills State Park Campground for swimming and sunbathing without moving your vehicle. "The beach is just over the dunes. Village Pizza is remarkably good," notes one camper.
Boating opportunities: Launch kayaks at Rocky Neck State Park, 25 miles west of Hampton Bays. "Anyone with kayaks can't easily get to boat launch. It's 4-5 miles by car at 4 mile river boat launch," advises a visitor to Rocky Neck.
Local exploration: Visit Mystic Seaport Museum from North Fork Cottages & RV Resort in Greenport. "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water," shares a camper.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Hot shower access at Smith Point County Park receives consistent praise. "A stones throw away was one of several shower and rest room buildings. Clean and well lit," reports a camper who stayed in a 36-foot motorhome.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at Smith Point. "At nite an ice cream truck comes by, you get visits from the nearby deer. It is paradise," notes one reviewer, highlighting the unexpected wildlife encounters.
Spacious campsites: Level sites at Aces High RV Park provide comfortable setup areas. "Well organized campground with both water front back in sites as well as large pull throughs. Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors," reports a camper.
What you should know
Off-season availability: Winter camping options are limited mostly to Smith Point County Park, which operates year-round, unlike most area campgrounds that close between October and May.
Site privacy concerns: Expect close quarters at many campgrounds, especially at Rocky Neck State Park Campground. "Sites are close to each other with little to no privacy but everyone in our area was nice. There's a ton of family's with kids," warns a camper.
Reservation timing: Book 6-12 months in advance for summer weekend stays, especially for waterfront locations. "Must reserve early in the year for summer spots," notes a Hither Hills visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Utilize recreation areas at Aces High RV Park, located about 55 miles from Hampton Bays. "It has a clean playground and well maintained pool as well as some walking paths, large grassy areas, pavilion and volleyball court," shares a camper.
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with water features for hot summer days. "The appearance was that it was well cared for and was a very popular attraction for families. The main office is like a fancy clubhouse and check-in was super smooth and quick," notes a visitor at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Pet-friendly options: Bring dogs to most campgrounds in the region. "There is also a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!" reports an Aces High RV Park guest.
Tips from RVers
Propane availability: Access fill service at select locations. "Propane is available at the store," notes a camper at Aces High RV Park, providing essential information for long-term stays.
Hookup quality: Inspect connections before setting up, especially at recently renovated parks. "Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)," shares a reviewer from Aces High.
Site selection strategy: Request spots away from main roads at Crocker's Boatyard for quieter stays. "Site can be a bit loud but calms down during the evening. Bathrooms were clean and the pool was amazing," reports a recent visitor to this marina-based RV location.
