Islip Terrace camping options provide easy access to both the Great South Bay and Atlantic Ocean shores. The area sits at sea level with a typical coastal climate featuring warm, humid summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, though several Suffolk County parks offer year-round camping opportunities with varying levels of amenities depending on the season.
What to do
Hiking trails: Blydenburgh County Park features a 7-mile loop around the lake with opportunities for wildlife viewing. "The hiking trails were quiet, natural and clean. The trails I exposed were well marked," notes one visitor to Blydenburgh County Park.
Fishing access: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities, particularly in freshwater lakes and ponds. "The lake is great and only a short walk, but no swimming. The row boat for fishing was great," reports a camper at Blydenburgh County Park.
Biking routes: Cathedral Pines County Park provides spacious grounds ideal for cycling. "Bring a bicycle or scooter and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach," explains a camper at Heckscher State Park Campground.
Beach activities: The Atlantic Ocean and bay beaches offer swimming during summer months. "The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk," mentions a visitor to Wildwood State Park Campground.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Tent campsites at some parks offer woodland seclusion. "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," shares a camper at Blydenburgh County Park.
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common at many campgrounds. "Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. You can come here and watch as the deer eat lettuce out of your hand," reports a visitor to Smith Point County Park.
Proximity to attractions: The campgrounds provide access to regional activities. "It's right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound," explains a camper at Wildwood State Park Campground.
Seasonal events: Some parks host special 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," notes a visitor to Heckscher State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Suffolk County parks have specific residency requirements. "Worth buying green key card for resident access. $200 but you'd spend that 4 nights regardless," advises a visitor to Blydenburgh County Park.
Campsite configurations: Site layouts vary significantly between parks. "The sites at the rear seemed to be less-densely packed, even though every site was occupied," shares a camper at Heckscher State Park.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathroom building itself is in decent shape and has a large amount of toilet stalls and about five showers, the condition can vary significantly between visits," notes a visitor at Heckscher State Park Campground.
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially near water. "Take the good stuff. The mosquitoes are extremely potent and plentiful," warns a camper at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a playground just for the campground. There is also a new playground within the campground beginning this Fall," mentions a visitor to Heckscher State Park.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on proximity to facilities with children. "The fox 9 site was a long enough walk I needed to plan my trips to the bathroom. Other sites were spaced enough to allow a true feeling of escaping into the woods," advises a camper at Blydenburgh County Park.
Safety considerations: Campgrounds maintain regular security. "Park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground and are diligent about cleaning up. Everyone was nice and we had a great time," reports a visitor to Smith Point County Park.
Seasonal programming: Check for special weekend events. "It also happened to be Trick or Treat weekend on the campground which really fun to see," shares a Smith Point County Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RV sites vary significantly between parks. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," notes a camper at Wildwood State Park.
Hookup availability: Check electrical capacity before booking. "There are not very many electric sites. Sites are great overlooking the bay. Electric and water is nice for pop up," advises a visitor to Smith Point County Park.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary between campgrounds. "Very clean campgrounds lots of space. The side with electricity was ok," reports a camper at Southaven County Park.
Seasonal restrictions: Some parks have limited RV access during winter months. "If your going to be on Long Island, Suffolk county is really only RV friendly place," advises a visitor to Blydenburgh County Park.
