Camping near Massapequa, New York primarily occurs in established facilities within a 20-mile radius of suburban Nassau County. This coastal Long Island region has an elevation near sea level with humid summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F from June through August. Campgrounds typically maintain relatively open sites with limited natural separation due to the area's predominantly flat topography.
What to do
Beach exploration: 10-minute walks to shoreline access at Nickerson Beach Park Campground provide proximity to water activities. "Nickerson Beach only offers camping for RVs. I do not have an RV so I was unable to spend the night. The beach itself is a great place to spend a summer day and I have gone several times. They recently installed a path that goes all the way down to the beach area so you don't have to walk on the sand for so long," notes one visitor.
Hiking: 7-mile loop trail around the lake at Blydenburgh County Park offers woodland walking opportunities. "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail," reports one camper who enjoyed the natural setting just north of Massapequa.
Day trips: 30-45 minute drives to surrounding attractions from camp bases. "I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby," mentions one visitor at Wildwood State Park. Many campers use Long Island campgrounds as bases for exploring nearby towns and attractions.
What campers like
Relative privacy: Secluded tent areas at Battle Row Campground provide better separation than most Long Island 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," notes one reviewer. This layout contrasts with many of the more open sites common to the region.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at several facilities. At Beaver Pond Campground, visitors report, "The wildlife do roam around your campsite so be mindful of putting food and garbage away before sleeping." Campers frequently mention unexpected wildlife encounters despite the urban proximity.
Waterfront access: Lake and ocean options vary by location. "Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing," notes a Blydenburgh visitor. Beach-oriented campers appreciate Nickerson Beach where one visitor reports, "Right on the beach! Great spot to camp at if the waves are pumping at Lido Beach on Long Island."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: April-November window for most facilities. A few locations like Battle Row and Blydenburgh operate year-round, but most follow seasonal patterns. "I've been going here every summer since 2019 after it re-opened," notes a visitor to Heckscher State Park Campground.
Limited separation between sites: Most Long Island campgrounds feature open layouts. "The campsites are very close together without any defining borders so everybody just walks across each other site's to get to a different one, a path, the bathroom, etc. No solitude, lots of families with kids," reports an Heckscher visitor.
Fire pit policies: Not universal at all campgrounds. "There are NO fire pits on any of the sites, although I learned afterwards that they do allow you to bring your own metal fire pit as long as it is elevated off the ground," explains one camper at Heckscher. Several facilities require campers to bring their own portable fire containers.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Central play areas provide activity options for children. At Blydenburgh, "The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids," making it suitable for family camping excursions from Massapequa.
Platform tent sites: Elevated camping areas at Wildwood State Park Campground offer benefits for family comfort. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds solely because there are platform sites so I can place my tent on a concrete or wooden platform," reports one visitor, noting this feature helps keep family camping more comfortable in wet conditions.
Beach proximity: Walking distances vary between camp areas and water. "You can walk to the beach. Note - it is a downhill walk to the beach. The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk," explains a Wildwood State Park visitor. Families should plan for walking times when selecting sites.
Tips from RVers
Roadway height restrictions: Parkway limitations affect route planning to Long Island camps. "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," explains one RVer who visited Watch Hill Fire Island Campground.
Site configurations: Pull-through options exist at select locations. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig," reports a visitor to Wildwood State Park. Site dimensions and arrangements vary significantly between facilities.
Hookup availability: Limited electric/water connections at most parks near Massapequa. "There is water, electric and sewer hookups at each site, but this was an expensive place to 'camp'," notes one Wildwood visitor, reflecting the premium placed on full-service sites in the region.
