Glamping near North Babylon, New York offers waterfront camping opportunities on both Long Island Sound and Atlantic Ocean shorelines, with sites positioned on sandy beaches and wooded inland areas. The region experiences mild summers with average temperatures between 75-85°F and moderate humidity levels. Spring and fall camping seasons feature temperature ranges from 55-75°F, with coastal winds affecting comfort levels at beachfront sites.
What to do
Beach exploration and swimming: At Indian Island County Park, visitors can access shoreline areas for swimming and relaxation. "The walk to the beach area was very serene, especially early morning before sunrise and didn't feel like we live in dense suburbia and sunrise from the beach was worth the trip," notes one camper who visited during a busy weekend.
Hiking local trails: Multiple parks offer walking paths with varying difficulty levels. Maxime T. shares: "The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family" at Indian Island County Park. For more elevation gain, Mountain Lakes Park features "Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. A dirt road loops through the property with trails off and through it."
Water activities: Kayaking and paddleboarding access points are available at multiple locations. Michael G. mentions Indian Island County Park has "beach access and kayak launch" within a short walk from camping areas. The dual water access at oceanfront locations creates varied paddling conditions for different skill levels.
What campers like
Direct beach access: Smith Point County Park earns high marks for its proximity to shorelines. One visitor reports, "Close sites with no privacy. Short walk to beach," highlighting the tradeoff between site spacing and convenience to water. Another adds their site was "a 1 minute walk over the dune to the Atlantic ocean."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Local deer populations frequently visit camping areas. Tim M. mentions at Smith Point County Park, "At nite an ice cream truck comes by, you get visits from the nearby deer. It is paradise." This wildlife interaction adds to the natural camping experience despite the developed setting.
Fishing access: Wildwood State Park Campground provides anglers with Long Island Sound fishing opportunities. Amber A. describes it as offering "sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water... Swimming, long walks on the beach, shady camp sites, pine barrens and hardwood forest to explore, lots of deer, pretty good birding."
What you should know
Firepit regulations vary: Several campgrounds require campers to rent or bring their own fire containers. "A little bit of a bummer on the rental for a firepit but the bathrooms are big and spacious," notes Megan B. about Wildwood State Park. Similarly, at Indian Island County Park, Maxime T. explains: "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."
Site spacing and privacy: Most area campgrounds feature closely positioned sites. At Collective Governors Island, the glamping yurts provide more privacy than standard tent sites at other facilities. Courtney K. mentions about Wildwood: "You will get very intimate with your neighbors. The other campers can be loud, so it's like a city of camping instead of the great outdoors."
Residency requirements: Some county parks limit access to local residents. A Smith Point County Park visitor cautions, "ONLY DRAWBACKS, 1- YOU HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF SUFFOLK CO, NY, 2- ONE WEEK STAY AT A TIME. PERIOD." Always check residency requirements before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Multiple campgrounds offer children's play areas. Janelle G. shares about Indian Island County Park: "Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid. No sewers sites that I could tell, and water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening."
Beach safety considerations: Ocean beaches can have variable conditions. One Smith Point County Park visitor advises: "The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk," while Ossama B. notes about Wildwood State Park's waterfront: "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful! Kids were roaming freely and safe!"
Shopping and activities: Branchbrook Campground provides access to local shopping and attractions. Near Wildwood State Park, Giselle P. shares: "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. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV sites typically offer water and electric connections, with some providing sewer hookups. Stephen P. notes at Smith Point County Park: "Sites are great overlooking the bay. Bathroom lights are bright. 10 would be better. I also like the corner sites as they are bigger. The 230-70 overlook the ocean which is great. Electric and water is nice for pop up."
Site sizing and accessibility: Most parks accommodate medium-sized RVs but have varying site dimensions. Lori R. found Wildwood State Park's "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities."
Parking regulations: Vehicle limitations affect group camping possibilities. Giselle P. cautions about Wildwood State Park: "Recently they became very stringent about parking two vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles. I usually host group camping trips and the single vehicle rule makes that very difficult."
