Campers seeking overnight stays near Hempstead, New York have options within a 60-minute drive radius. Located on the western portion of Long Island in Nassau County, the area sits at elevations generally below 100 feet above sea level with warm, humid summers and cold winters. Heavy summer precipitation creates damp ground conditions at many campgrounds, particularly at locations like Battle Row where tent platforms provide protection from soggy terrain.
What to do
Beach access: 5-minute drive at Nickerson Beach Park Campground, where one camper noted, "Campsite allows dogs, however, the beach does not. They have a small dog run on the other side of the large beach parking lot."
Outdoor play: Centralized playground at Battle Row Campground, which offers "a playground just for the campground" according to Michael M., who found the park "clean" with "the bathrooms well maintained."
Water activities: Swimming and fishing at Beaver Pond Campground, located about 40 minutes north of NYC. "The grounds are just steps away from Welch Lake, offering a lifeguard monitored sandy beach which is open during the summer season for swimming, fishing, and small boat craft further out," writes Steve W.
Biking opportunities: Rails-to-trails access at Allaire State Park, where Dan X. experienced "a really nice bike ride to Ocean Grove and other beach towns" during a weekend trip, making this location suitable for bikepacking enthusiasts.
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Beaver Pond Campground offers economical sites at $15, with Adaly noting, "This is an off-grid camping experience. You can use your generator at certain hours. They have a beach. Their staff is friendly."
Tent platforms: Battle Row provides raised camping surfaces, which Katrina M. found beneficial: "There are 5-7 tent sites. Ours was #59, well shaded and spacious." She also mentioned that "all sites have a table and raised BBQ 'pit' for cooking only."
Heated cottages: Heckscher State Park offers waterfront accommodations with amenities. W.L. highlighted the "modern facility with full kitchen accessories" and "fire ring with Adirondack chairs" among the pros of staying in these cottages, which offer comfort for less rugged campers.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds feature active wildlife, with Steve W. noting bear awareness at Beaver Pond: "'Welcome to Bear Mountain' grumbles the park ranger as he sits in complete darkness! He is in his ranger hut, checking in the late evening arrivals to the campground."
What you should know
Challenging site boundaries: At Heckscher State Park, "the sites are designated by printing on the roads and do not have clear boundaries between them," reports Thorin J., adding that "there aren't clear paths to the restroom building so it's not uncommon for people to cut through the edges of sites to get there."
Noise concerns: Traffic noise impacts several campgrounds. Allaire State Park campers experience "highway traffic" according to Justin S., who found the campground "clean and cozy" but "noisy with highway traffic."
Fire pit requirements: Several campgrounds have specific fire rules. At Battle Row, "There are NO fire pits, you must bring your own. Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground," notes Katrina M.
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. NWS Earle RV Park operates "April 1 to November 15" while Military Park at NJ National Guard Training Center runs only from "Memorial Day to Labor Day."
Tips for camping with families
Spacious group setup: Heckscher State Park Campground offers accommodations for larger parties. Giselle P. calls it "the best around for group and family camping" where "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."
Kid-friendly amenities: Beaver Pond Campground receives high marks from families, with Zorina N. appreciating that it's a "short distance from NYC, very organized, clean pond, has a playground, showers, bathroom. Your phone will have signal."
Structured activities: Some parks offer organized events. Giselle P. mentions that "on one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers" at Heckscher State Park, providing entertainment options beyond self-directed activities.
Weather preparedness: Sites like Battle Row Campground provide shade coverage important for summer camping with children. Lexis N. found it "so clean and quiet" with sites that "have provided electric and water," essential amenities when camping with families.
Tips from RVers
Military discount options: For eligible campers, NWS Earle RV Park offers economical full-service sites. Jeffrey described it as "cheap, clean & quiet" with "level concrete with full hookups and attached concrete patio," though noted that "power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection."
Parking limitations: When evaluating rv parks near Hempstead, New York, note the limited parking capacity. At Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites, Jessica D. reported that "big rig spots are further back (around site 6-9 or so)" out of only 9 total sites.
Hookup quirks: Campground sewage connections can present challenges. At Military Park, Jessica D. found that "the sewer hookup is about 18 inches off the ground so you need to lift the hose when emptying the tanks to ensure it actually fully drains."
Beach proximity value: For RVers prioritizing ocean access, Nickerson Beach Park Campground provides nearby shore options. Mackenzie B. explains that while "it's basically a parking lot, 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."
