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Best Tent Camping near Montauk, NY

424 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping options near Montauk, New York include several waterfront sites accessible by boat along the Connecticut River. Selden Neck State Park Campground offers a unique tent camping experience on an island with four designated campsites accessible only by kayak or boat. Gillette Castle State Park Campground provides tent-only camping with river views and multiple access options including boat-in and walk-in tent sites. Chapman Pond Preserve features primitive tent camping with platforms and basic facilities for those seeking a more rustic experience. These locations provide alternatives for tent campers looking to explore the broader Long Island Sound region.

Most tent campsites in the area require specific access methods and preparation. Selden Neck State Park requires a 20-minute paddle across the Connecticut River from Deep River Landing, where parking permits are required during summer months. Campers should secure gear in waterproof bags due to boat wake. Sites typically include fire pits and picnic tables, but limited amenities beyond that. Chapman Pond Preserve offers tent platforms but minimal facilities. Water access is limited at most locations, so tent campers should bring sufficient supplies. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly with morning fog on the river, which may delay departure times.

Tent-only camping experiences in this region center around water views and natural settings. According to reviews, Selden Neck provides "flat areas to pitch a tent, nice picnic tables and fire pits" with private outhouses at each site. Low tide reveals small beaches for exploration. Campers noted that Gillette Castle State Park offers "amazing views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset." Chapman Pond Preserve was described as a "middle of nowhere site" with "good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse" with river views. The relative isolation of these backcountry tent camping locations provides quieter experiences than more developed campgrounds, though occasional boat traffic noise may occur at waterfront sites. For tent campers seeking solitude, these locations offer primitive settings with basic amenities and natural surroundings.

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Best Tent Sites Near Montauk, New York (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Montauk, NY

424 Reviews of 10 Montauk Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Huge campground, not many level sites.

    I've never camped in Rhode Island, so I was curious to see what a state park campground had to offer. Rates are reasonable for state residents, but quite high if you are out-of-state, given the amenities. There are no hookups, but dump stations are available. Bathrooms have flush toilets and coin-operated showers. There's a small beach at the pond, a boat ramp, and proximity to wildlife refuges and the ocean. It's a HUGE campground, with 700 sites and 20 cabins. Canoes are available to rent.

    There's a nice playground, a camp store, and a naturalists cabin. Trails are available for hiking and biking. The beach is sandy and there's a small parking lot there, but I suspect most people walk to it. No alcohol allowed. 

    I didn't see more than a handful of level sites, with varying degrees of slope, but many are quite large. If you have an RV, plan to level; if you have a tent, be sure to bring good mattresses to protect you from the roots and rocks and orient your head to the uphill side. Most of the sites have some degree of visual separation from their neighbors, but there are places where it's hard to tell where one site ends and the next one starts. Site have fire rings and picnic tables, but if you plan to cook over the fire, bring your own grate or plan to use sticks and/or aluminum foil. 

    If you don't have a tent, consider reserving one of their rustic cabins. These offer two sets of bunks (no mattresses) and a small porch with a picnic table and fire ring outside. Some are located along the pond.

    3-4 bar cell phone coverage. No road traffic. East Beach is nearby, but parking fills early.

  • K
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Fort Getty Campground

    No shade no rule enforcement. Great place for a big group to party if that’s what you want.

    Loud campers in large groups.

    Rules regarding quiet hours, no generators, number of tents per site and late arrival and setups were not enforced.

    People next to us crammed 8 tents on 3 sites. I counted a group of at least 20.

    There is no privacy, people were constantly walking through our site and stepping over our tent guy lines.

    People partied until 2:00am and woke up at 5:30am shining headlights and idling cars.

    Bathrooms were dirty, sites boundaries not marked and crammed together. No shade.

    Beautiful location, rangers were nice.

    RV folks were surly, seemed like a lot of them stay there for the entire season. One said hi, the rest stared when we drove by.

    We booked and paid for two nights and left first thing after just one night.

  • John D.
    May. 3, 2015

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Great park in a great location

    I have been camping at Rocky Neck State Park for decades, both tent camping, and now In a 30' camper. Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads. If you can, stay away from the front gates during the typical peak arrival / departure times. Traffic jams occur, partly because you're also in-line with the car loads of beach goers. The beach and beach parking lots fill to capacity. Week ends are the worst.

    The campgrounds are located within internal loops. Most sites are quite level. Park-like settings surrounding a large lawn. Bathhouses are being rehabbed, deemed adequate; can be seedy towards the end of the season. Park is routinely patrolled by State Conservation Officers who will put you out if needed. CT State Police and local officers also patrol. Camp roads are paved, and lots and lots of kids spend time riding bikes, coloring with chalk, skateboarding, roller blading.

    No electrical hook-ups; potable water spigots located within the camping circles. Generators allowed, but there are quiet hours. Dump upon exit; its up top by the entrance booths.

    There is a "tent-only area" which is nice and abuts a paved road for campers to walk / bike to the beach. Use this. Stay off the main road to the beach if you can. The speed limit is enforced, but sporadically. The fines are very stiff (you receive a State traffic ticket from the Officer).

    This beach road leads you to a wonderful overlook where lots of people take their kids crabbing for Blueshells. There are size regulations so be careful. The regs are posted. Bring some raw chicken wings and kite string and have some fun. You can also follow the signs that will lead you to nature walks. Amazing.

    During inclement weather some campers leave the park. We always recommend taking a right out of the park onto east bound Route 156. Follow into downtown Niantic for restaurants, an Irish pub, or a movie. Nice village area, and pedestrian friendly.

    Rocky Neck is a very nice park, and if I had to list one complaint, it is that the State is in a financial tight-spot, and has been cutting services and personnel. Entrance booths go unmanned and that leads to traffic jams that extend out and onto the main road. Very , very messy. Life guard towers at the beach are empty at times. Bath houses can be filthy.

    All things considered, I would recommend this park..

  • Laura M.
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Nice campground

    Super large sites, store is adequately stocked, nice lake/pond. I came here because of the location. Super close to the beach. This is a state park, no alcohol is allowed, quiet time strictly enforced. Nice family campground. No hookups.

  • Ryan A.
    May. 21, 2024

    Devil's Hopyard State Park Campground

    Good Location for Hiking, Lots of Garbage, Not Recommended

    Camped here on a Friday night in Site 16, yet another campground recommended in“Best Tent Camping: New England.” Overall I was not impressed. The campsites are right next to each other and are marked with posts. The sites are so close that the posts are marked with the site number on both sides which tells me that there has been confusion in the past.

    The sites along the creek mostly have worn paths to walk to it but it’s nothing impressive and I wouldn’t want to eat fish that came out of it. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, some have the kind where the top flips over and others have the moveable grate that goes up and down. There is a large dumpster in the campground and several porta-potties. The old outhouses have been permanently closed and locked shut. My campsite had a lot of trash in it, old tent stakes, plastic bottle caps, plastic fork, broken glass, etc. Not good.

    Some of the people there were camping in a group and were blasting music. I didn’t see a single park ranger the entire night so I’m not sure how often they police it. Someone in a pickup truck came into the campground, did a u-turn, and sped out at 30 mph which was really annoying and unsafe.

    Across the street from the campground is a trail to Chapman Falls, which will take less than 10 minutes to hike to, but it’s a pretty waterfall despite all the foam and garbage around it.

    This is a pretty basic campground and is nothing special. Out of all the sites I think 22 looked the best, it is more isolated and you can hear the waterfalls from it, which would be relaxing. The downside is that it’s right next to the entrance and road so you’ll get car headlights at night.

    I woke in the morning to a gray sky and hundreds of birds singing– it was my favorite part of the trip. I delayed getting up to enjoy the moment. I also didn’t see any ticks but I’m sure there are plenty based on other reviews.

    I’ve always thought that if states were condiments Connecticut would be mayonnaise– relatively unremarkable and bland. This campground fits that description perfectly.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    HUGE state park

    General: HUGE state park with over 700 sites. It does not fully open for the season until May 1 and when we were there in mid-April, only two sections, Fish Camp and Mills Camp were open. The Ranger station is staffed 24 hours a day, with a ranger on site until 11 pm. You need to show your pass to get inside the gate leading to the campsites. There are no hookups in any site (as far as I could tell). Sites are designated for tents, small trailers, large trailers, and RVs. As with other RI state parks, non-residents pay double the price of residents which kind of ticks me off (I don't mind a nominal upcharge but double is excessive IMO).

    Site Quality: The site numbers throughout the park are painted on rocks but the sites themselves are not very clearly defined. There is no designated camping pad. Our site (114) had a water view but was not level. It was large enough for us to park horizontally and make it work for one night. Some sites had excessive roots and also were not level. Some picnic tables have been replaced with new ones, but others badly need it.

    Bath/Shower house: The one in Fish Camp was adequate and clean. There is hot water, but you need to run it for a while before you get any. There was no garbage receptacle, and the toilet paper is so thin, that you can see through it. Showers are $.75 to get it started for the first three minutes. After that, the amount per minute increases to $1, $1.25, $1.50, and so forth. Machines take up to 22 quarters. There is a change machine at the Ranger Station. I did not use the shower so I cannot comment on how well they work. 

    Activities/Amenities: There is a camp store that offers wood, ice, coffee, basic groceries, propane, and canoe rentals. It was open with limited hours during our stay. Fishing, boating, swimming - all in season. Even though the park was only about 10% occupied, there was a strong Ranger presence. He circled our small loop three times just before check-out time and wanted to make sure we were leaving not a minute past the designated time. 

    This was just an overnight stay for us in a convenient location but there is no way I would stay at the height of the season!

  • D
    Jun. 7, 2019

    Green Falls Campground

    Small but cozy

    Great off the beaten path place to camp. Sites are large but close together. Each contain a rock built fire ring. There are toilets but no showers. Good parking for camper but limited for guests. Reservations are required in advance. Stones throw to beach/pond area

  • Mayra D.
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Cedar Point County Park

    Perfect beach site

    We have gone there a few times. They don’t take reservations but there’s always some sites open. We have walked in and book a site. Twice though in June we had tons of ticks 😬 but overall is a good site! A couple of times we had loud neighbors and it seemed that the ranger was out for lunch so nobody was making sure that quiet hours were enforced.

  • Alex S.
    May. 13, 2020

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Best New England beach campground!

    The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way. There are several osprey nests too. Many families bring bikes. 

    There are several camping areas at Rocky Neck - I think Crane is the best because it is quiet and the bathrooms are updated. 

    The tent camping area is in a field without much privacy or shade. I recommend setting up your tent at a traditional site.

    The beach is great for relaxing and beach combing. The water is warm and shallow, very calm. No floats or toys are allowed in the water, not sure why. Don't bring your kite either as the Amtrak is next to the beach, it's interesting when it goes by!

    Sometimes generators are an issue, but there are limited hours at which they can run.

    Lots of dumpsters for easy trash disposal. Firewood available for a low price on site, don't bring any outside wood. 

    Campground is not too far from a Walmart if you forget something. There's a gas station close by too for ice.

    This campground books up FAST, I usually book in the wintertime. I stay for a week at a time.

Guide to Montauk

Tent camping near Montauk, New York extends beyond the immediate area to include several noteworthy sites along the Connecticut River. These locations require specific preparation for access and camping conditions. Most are primitive with limited facilities and provide experiences centered around waterfront views and natural surroundings.

What to do

Paddle to island campsites: Selden Neck State Park requires approximately a 20-minute paddle across the Connecticut River from Deep River Landing. A camper noted, "If it's a nice day, you're going to encounter some wake from passing boats so make sure your gear is in waterproof bags." The effort rewards visitors with isolated camping on a river island.

Visit historic attractions: Gillette Castle State Park Campground offers more than just camping. According to one visitor, "Castle has tours at certain times" and the area serves as a "Great place for a hike or a picnic."

Explore at low tide: The water levels around river campsites change throughout the day, creating opportunities for exploration. At Selden Neck State Park Campground, "At low tide, a couple of beaches emerge to play on" where campers can search for river stones and wildlife.

What campers like

Waterfront views: River camping provides continuous visual interest. A camper at Hurd State Park River Camping noted the Connecticut River locations offer excellent vantage points for daily celestial events: "It is amazing with the views of the CT River and being able to watch the sunrise and sunset."

Privacy between sites: The natural separation between camping areas creates a sense of solitude even when other campers are nearby. At Gillette Castle State Park, there are "a few sites close to each other, so it is nice to go with enough people to occupy them all at once to keep it personal."

Basic but functional amenities: Chapman Pond Preserve provides simple facilities that meet essential needs. As one camper described it as a "Middle of no where site" with "Good tent platforms, picnic tables and outhouse. CT river within view."

What you should know

Seasonal permit requirements: Access points to many river camping areas have specific regulations. Deep River Landing, which serves as the launch point for Selden Neck State Park, "requires a permit Memorial Day to Labor Day" for parking and entering the boat launch.

Morning fog conditions: Weather patterns on the river can affect travel plans. One camper reported, "In the morning, we were completely socked in with fog which would have been an issue if we had to get back early. But it burned off before long and we headed back."

Site selection matters: Some sites have advantages over others. At Water's Edge Campground, picking the right location affects your entire stay, with waterfront sites offering better views but potentially more exposure to elements.

Tips for camping with families

Choose appropriate sites: Some river locations work better for children than others. One parent shared their experience: "My 5-year-old and I camped at site 2, Hogback. I haven't visited the other sites, but probably will just book this one again because it was so good."

Water safety considerations: River camping requires extra vigilance for families. With constant boat traffic, children need supervision near shorelines and when entering the water. Life jackets are essential for all water activities.

Swimming opportunities: Not all river camping areas are suitable for swimming. At Gillette Castle State Park, visitors mentioned "You can swim and fish and relax all day!" making it a good option for families seeking water recreation.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accommodations: Most tent camping sites near the Connecticut River do not accommodate recreational vehicles. Frontier Family Camper Park offers some of the few options with fifty-amp hookups in the broader region, though tent camping remains the primary focus for most waterfront sites.

Alternative base camps: RV travelers visiting the area typically stay at more developed campgrounds and use them as launch points for day trips to river camping areas or boat excursions along the waterways.

Seasonal considerations: RV camping in the region follows strict seasonal operations. Most campgrounds with RV accommodations operate from May to September, with full closures during winter months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Montauk, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Montauk, NY is Selden Neck State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Montauk, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Montauk, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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