Camping near Medford, New York offers options on both the North and South shores of Long Island, each with distinct coastal environments. The region features a mix of county and state parks where elevation rarely exceeds 100 feet above sea level, creating accessible camping terrain for all experience levels. Seasonal variations affect campsite availability, with most locations fully operational from April through October.
What to do
Beach activities and water access: At Smith Point County Park, campers can enjoy both ocean and bay environments within walking distance. "I love this campground! A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," reports one camper. The beach areas provide swimming, fishing, and shoreline exploration opportunities.
Hiking trails: The North Shore offers different terrain than oceanfront locations. At Wildwood State Park Campground, visitors can explore mixed forest trails. "There are hiking trails and 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 one reviewer. The trails range from 0.5 to 3 miles in length, with varying difficulty levels.
Wildlife viewing: Local parks provide opportunities to observe native deer and birds. "The North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound... lots of deer, pretty good birding," notes a camper about Wildwood State Park. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife viewing times, particularly near water sources.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Bayside sites at Smith Point provide scenic water vistas. "Stayed on the bayside (site 30), which had a fantastic direct bay view. Although most sites have views of the bay, some are blocked by seagrass," explains one visitor. Sites numbered 10-30 generally offer the best unobstructed bay views.
Clean facilities: Indian Island County Park maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. "The bathrooms were mostly clean, and the shower was hot," reports a camper. Another notes, "Park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site." Most campgrounds in the area clean facilities daily.
Seasonal activities: Many parks organize events during peak season. "They had activities for the kids on weekends and holidays," mentions a visitor at Riverdale Farm Campsites. "We did bingo and it was a blast... I spent 2 dollars for 10 long rounds of bingo with 4 cards." Activity schedules are typically posted at campground offices and change seasonally.
What you should know
Site spacing and privacy: Many campgrounds in the area feature closely positioned sites. At Indian Island County Park, "All the camping spots are pretty much right next to each one with hardly any space, packed like Sardines." Similarly, Smith Point has "Close sites with no privacy. Short walk to beach."
Fire pit policies: Not all campgrounds provide fire pits or rings. At Indian Island, "The campsites don't come with a fire ring. Not sure if this is because of maintenance, but it just wasn't super apparent until we got there." Some locations require rental or bringing your own approved fire container.
Beach conditions: The North Shore beaches differ from South Shore beaches. At Mountain Lakes Park, "When we were there it was right after a rain storm and everything was a bit muddy and slippery." Wildwood State Park features "a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play areas for children. Indian Island County Park features "an open field with a playground for kids," making it suitable for families with young children. Access may be restricted during off-hours or in off-season periods.
Noise considerations: Family-friendly atmosphere varies by location and timing. One Smith Point camper notes, "This is not a quiet campground, campers stay up late drinking by the fire. Kids of all ages are generally running and playing day and night in the loud and unreserved way they do."
Activity planning: Branchbrook Campground and other area campgrounds offer different seasonal programming. Campers should check individual park calendars for scheduled events. Wildwood State Park is located near additional attractions: "There are lots of stores nearby as well as orchards to pick your own fruits. I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RVs, some campgrounds offer dedicated sections with appropriate hookups. At Wildwood State Park, "There is a separate area for RVs vs tents," providing more suitable parking and access. Corner sites typically offer more space for larger vehicles.
Hookup details: Most glamping near Medford, New York includes various utility connections, but specifications vary. At Smith Point, sites include "Electric and water is nice for pop up," while Indian Island has "Shore power was without any problems and park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site." Not all sites offer full hookups.
Seasonal considerations: Weather and maintenance schedules affect RV camping conditions. Riverdale Farm Campsites operates from April 1 to November 1, with varying hook-up availability. "For the first two months the mens showers were not cleaned," reported one long-term RV camper, suggesting that early season stays may encounter maintenance transitions.
