Camping near Malverne, New York offers seasonal alternatives in the outlying Tri-State region across terrains ranging from coastal beaches to inland wooded areas. The camping season generally runs April through October, with temperatures averaging 60-80°F during peak summer months. Most sites within 30 miles require advance planning, especially for holiday weekends when availability becomes extremely limited.
What to do
Beach activities at Sandy Hook: Located within Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook offers Atlantic Ocean swimming with lifeguard supervision from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "Very reasonable rates to pitch a tent. You get a private space with a fire pit. Ocean is close with lifeguards," notes one visitor at Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area.
Paddling opportunities: Several campgrounds provide water access for kayakers. At Blydenburgh County Park, the 7-mile loop trail around the lake offers scenic paddling opportunities. "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail," reports a camper at Blydenburgh County Park.
Urban exploration: Staten Island's Gateway camping area provides access to abandoned buildings with ranger-led exploration tours. "There is abandoned buildings here and you can do urban exploring. There are rangers taking you on a trek and exploring the abandoned building," explains a visitor about Staten Island's unique camping options.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Deer sightings are common at several campgrounds in the region. "This was my first time camping here and I was amazed at how clean the sites were & quiet the campground was," shares a visitor at Battle Row Campground, noting the peaceful natural setting just 20 minutes from Malverne.
Affordable rates: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the value offered at public parks. "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," says one camper about the accessible pricing structure at Gateway campsites.
Transit connections: The accessibility to city transit remains a key feature for campers visiting the NYC area. "Not your typical campground. Very easy to hop on transit to get to New York City. People were friendly," notes a camper at Liberty Harbor RV Park, highlighting the urban camping experience that allows visitors to explore metropolitan attractions.
What you should know
Site spacing considerations: Many campgrounds near Malverne feature open layouts without clear site boundaries. "The campsites are a bit close to one another but if you have a big group you can book several sites near each other and have a great time with family and friends," explains a visitor at Beaver Pond Campground — Harriman State Park.
Fire container requirements: Some parks require campers to bring their own elevated fire containers. "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," advises a camper about Battle Row's fire policies.
Vehicle height restrictions: RV travelers should plan routes carefully due to parkway constraints. "I drove down from Connecticut to Long Island to find the main routes to the campsite all went through New York's parkways. There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs and semis cannot travel on them without a high risk of crashing into the bridges," warns a Nickerson Beach visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Blydenburgh County Park, "Camp on grass! Lovely trees. Everyone is nice. Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms," reports a family-oriented camper who appreciated the kid-friendly environment.
Beach camping with kids: Nickerson Beach offers oceanfront camping with family-friendly amenities. "Campsite allows dogs, however, the beach does not. They have a small dog run on the other side of the large beach parking lot. Very clean, friendly employees," explains a visitor about the pet policies at Nickerson Beach Park Campground.
Family cottages: For families seeking more comfort, heated cabins provide an alternative to tent camping. "Modern facility with full kitchen accessories, clean interior, clean campground, modern cottage with propane fireplace, WiFi access, bathroom with shower," describes a visitor at Heckscher State Park Campground, noting the family-friendly cottages located along Great South Bay.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "Water and electric, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. The bath house was above average and heated," advises an RVer at Liberty Harbor RV Park.
Parking challenges: RV campers should prepare for tight quarters at urban campgrounds. "The 'campground' is nothing special. Literally a parking lot with water & electric hookups. Larger rigs will barely have a yard," notes an RVer about the space limitations at some waterfront locations.
Seasonal considerations: Most RV campgrounds near Malverne operate seasonally. "We spent 2 weeks here while in assignment this spring. Clean, quiet. Very close to everything," shares a visitor who stayed at Nickerson Beach during the April-November operational season.
