Tent camping sites near Islip, New York range from secluded beachfront spots to wooded retreats within an hour's drive. Most coastal camping areas maintain seasonal operations from March through October, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Many locations require advance reservations, particularly for weekend dates during summer when availability becomes limited due to proximity to New York City.
What to do
Hiking the trails: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers over 40 miles of trails through diverse terrain. As one camper noted, "This is a great place for camping. The shelters are great for people who want to camp and not have to worry about unplanned weather. The best part of this campsite are the endless trails in the area." The reservation maintains year-round access for hikers of all skill levels.
Beach activities: Sandy Hook provides oceanfront recreation with lifeguarded swimming areas. "Ocean is close with lifeguards. Good fishing and pleasant people. Boat from New York City," reports a visitor. The beach areas open at 5:00 AM with no entry fee for those arriving by bicycle.
Urban exploration: Staten Island's Gateway National Recreation Area combines camping with historical sites. "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building. This place is great if you live in New York city and don't want to drive really far from the city to go camping," explains one reviewer who visited early to secure a site.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Battle Row Campground offers secluded tent sites away from common areas. A local camper shares, "I have lived 6 miles from this campground for the last 20 years and never knew they had tent sites. Each site is set back off a common area so there is plenty of privacy. It's great if your local easy in and out." The campground maintains this layout year-round.
Beach stargazing: The night sky views from oceanfront campgrounds provide urban campers with a rare treat. At Sandy Hook, campers enjoy "views from the campsite looking out to the sea, the skyline of NYC on the left & NJ on the right, it was awe inspiring and, the sunset was a real treat!!" Most coastal sites have unobstructed western views for sunset watching.
Natural sounds: Mountain Lakes Park delivers a quieter woodland camping experience. The park features "lakes, a lookout and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it." This setting allows campers to enjoy natural surroundings without ocean waves or urban sounds.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Coastal sites require serious insect protection. At Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, a camper warns, "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." Multiple reviews recommend bringing canopies with mosquito netting.
Transportation logistics: Many beachfront campgrounds require ferry access and gear hauling. One camper explains, "Only about 20 min drive and 30 min ferry trip for us we got to watch hill. It's a bit of a walk to camp site but all on board walk (we took to carts full of stuff)." Planning for extra travel time and appropriate gear transport is essential.
Fire restrictions: Many sites have specific fire rules. At Staten Island Gateway, fires are prohibited entirely, while other campgrounds require contained fires. Battle Row Campground has unique requirements: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Croton Point Park features kid-friendly facilities near campsites. A family camper shared, "Peaceful and gorgeous campsite, with plenty of space between sites. Great view of the Hudson, and playground within sight of our camper." The playground is centrally located and visible from many campsites.
Nature programs: Watch Hill offers educational opportunities for children. A visitor mentions, "There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids." These ranger-led activities typically run on weekends during summer months and provide structured learning experiences.
Lean-to options: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation provides shelter structures ideal for families new to camping. "The shelter sites are large and private with access to hiking trails and make for a unique experience," reports one camper. Another adds, "All of the shelters have fire pits and some have interior fireplaces," making them practical for families with young children or those concerned about weather changes.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup locations: RV sites with full hookups are scarce near Islip. At Croton Point Park, visitors report, "A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites." The campground requires phone reservations rather than online booking.
Space considerations: Most RV sites near Islip accommodate smaller rigs. Battle Row Campground isn't designated as big-rig friendly, and many coastal campgrounds have limited access. One camper at Croton Point noted, "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together."
Site selection strategy: Due to varied site quality, in-person selection helps secure better locations. A Croton Point Park camper advises, "Because it was on a point on the Hudson, I had hoped for views from the campground but there were too many trees to see the water." Some campgrounds allow advance visits to select specific sites for future reservations.
