Dog-Friendly Camping near Islandia, NY

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    Blydenburgh County Park's dog-friendly camping area offers grassy sites with lovely trees for shade. Pets are permitted throughout the park with proper leash control, and several pet owners mention the clean camping areas. The park maintains designated hiking trails accessible to leashed dogs, creating a family-friendly environment where pets are welcomed across all accommodation types. Tent camping and RV sites with electric hookups provide options for campers traveling with their furry companions. Heckscher State Park Campground, Wildwood State Park, and Watch Hill Fire Island Campground also accommodate pets with varying amenities. The dog run at Blydenburgh gives fur babies plenty of space to play off-leash while maintaining the natural camping environment. Sites are generally spacious enough for pet owners to set up comfortable areas for both human and canine campers.

    The seven-mile loop trail around Blydenburgh Lake welcomes dogs and their owners for exercise and exploration. Trail surfaces are generally well-maintained with many dogs and horses sharing the paths. Campers should come prepared with appropriate pet supplies as the nearest pet stores are located in surrounding communities. Summer months bring increased mosquito activity, making pet-safe insect repellent essential, particularly at Watch Hill where reviews note mosquitoes are "vicious." Wildlife sightings including deer, rabbits, and turtles add to the natural experience but require keeping pets under control. Most campgrounds enforce standard quiet hours, helping prevent excessive barking disturbances. Clean bathrooms throughout these Suffolk County parks make extended stays with pets more comfortable, though sites vary in privacy levels and ground conditions.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Islandia (26)

      1. Blydenburgh County Park

      4.1(11)3mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents

      "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."

      "Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms"

      2. Heckscher State Park Campground

      3.6(9)6mi from Islandia82 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "* 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."

      from $20 - $285 / night

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      3. Wildwood State Park Campground

      4.2(24)21mi from Islandia324 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $20 - $225 / night

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      4. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

      4.0(7)13mi from Islandia28 sitesTents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $35 - $197 / night

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      5. Southaven County Park

      4.0(7)15mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $33 / night

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      6. Smith Point County Park

      4.4(9)17mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      7. Cathedral Pines County Park

      3.8(4)13mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents

      8. Smith's Point

      4.0(5)17mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents

      9. Nickerson Beach Park Campground

      3.6(9)27mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything."

      10. Indian Island County Park

      4.2(10)30mi from IslandiaRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."

      "There are dog friendly which was very nice. It is a lil tight from each site but you have the beach and a little hiking trails that makes it worth it."

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Islandia, NY

    264 Reviews of 26 Islandia Campgrounds


    • Mackenzie B.
      Aug. 4, 2018

      Nickerson Beach Park Campground

      surfers dream

      I grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! 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.

      benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer

    • Nadia V.
      Aug. 24, 2016

      Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

      Definitely a place to visit!

      Camp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.

    • LThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 10, 2026

      Nickerson Beach Park Campground

      Great place

      Very nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.

    • EThe Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 29, 2025

      Liberty 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!

    • Christy C.
      Jun. 10, 2017

      Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

      "Camping" in Brooklyn

      We tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.

      The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.

      The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.

    • Carrie J.
      Sep. 30, 2016

      Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

      Weird One

      This place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.

    • s
      Sep. 21, 2018

      Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area

      Sandy Hook is a plesant campground with great rangers working there

      Very reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City.

    • Karla S.
      Aug. 31, 2018

      Liberty Harbor RV Park

      New York City View

      There is only a small place for tents. Mostly people go there with campers. Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly.

    • Tara N.
      Jul. 17, 2021

      Totoket Valley RV Park

      Perfect for a stop over

      Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table. There is a wonderful little frozen custard shop down the road called roses farm stand. It’s a perfect campground for seeing the local area or even catching the train to New York City.


    Guide to Islandia

    Suffolk County offers numerous pet-friendly camping options near Islandia, New York. Located on Long Island's central region, the area features a mix of pine barrens and coastal environments with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons provide more comfortable 60-70°F temperatures with reduced insect activity.

    What to do

    Explore local trails: Cathedral Pines County Park maintains several wooded hiking paths ideal for dog walks. "Wooded sites are lovely. RV sites in large field," notes reviewer Karen R., highlighting the natural setting that differs from more open campgrounds.

    Visit nearby attractions: Nickerson Beach Park Campground provides access to regional activities. "There's a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around," mentions Mackenzie B., making it convenient for day trips with pets.

    Beach access with pets: Indian Island County Park offers water recreation options for campers with dogs. "You are a short walk from beach access and kayak launch. There is a playground for kids and clean facilities," reports Michael G., describing the accessible waterfront.

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: At Cathedral Pines County Park, campers appreciate the layout. "Usually every site has a decent fire pit/grill. Usually quiet, occasional deer," mentions Connor M., describing the peaceful environment.

    Waterfront views: Smith Point County Park offers scenic coastal camping. "Our 36ft motorhome backed up to a raised balcony overlooking the bay. Less than 100 feet from the front of our site was the beach and the Atlantic Ocean view," shares Patrick C., describing the premium waterfront placement.

    Beach proximity: Many campers value how close sites are to shorelines. "A short walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection. Take a quick walk down to the beach," notes Jill F. about Watch Hill Fire Island Campground's convenient layout.

    What you should know

    Site differences: Tent and RV areas often have distinct characteristics. "There is a separate area for RVs vs tents. There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day," explains Giselle P. about Wildwood State Park Campground.

    Fire ring policies: Some parks require campers bring their own fire containers. "Lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own," mentions Ossama B. regarding Wildwood's fire policies.

    Seasonal considerations: Late spring through early fall offers optimal camping weather. "We stayed during a full on thunderstorm and watched as the trees swayed in the wind," reports Giselle P., indicating the need to prepare for varying conditions.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground access: Heckscher State Park Campground offers family-friendly features. "There is a playground just for the campground... Bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach," notes Giselle P., describing activities beyond standard camping.

    Beach safety: Smith Point provides suitable environments for children. "Close sites with no privacy. Short walk to beach," explains Karen R., indicating the campground's focus on accessibility rather than seclusion.

    Wildlife education: Several parks feature nature programs. "Park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids," mentions Inocencia O. about Watch Hill's educational opportunities, which engage younger campers.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Indian Island County Park offers essential services. "Shore power was without any problems and park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site," shares Frank P., detailing the reliable infrastructure.

    Site selection strategy: Choose locations based on specific needs. "Sites are great overlooking the bay. Bathroom lights are bright. 10 would be better. I also like the corner sites as they are bigger," advises Stephen P. about Smith Point's layout considerations.

    Access limitations: Some parks have vehicle restrictions. "Height restrictions on the parkways so RVs and semis cannot travel on them without a high risk of crashing into the bridges," warns Matt S. about routes to Nickerson Beach, suggesting alternative approach routes for larger vehicles.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Islandia, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Islandia, NY is Blydenburgh County Park with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Islandia, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 26 dog-friendly camping locations near Islandia, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.