Glamping near Plainview, New York offers options within the North Shore and South Shore landscapes of Long Island, where elevations range from sea level to about 400 feet. The region experiences warm summers with average highs around 82°F and cold winters with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Many sites require advance planning during peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, as Suffolk County parks can fill quickly.
What to do
Beach exploration: Walk from tent to ocean at Smith Point County Park. Located in Shirley, this park offers camping with immediate beach access. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," notes reviewer Ali O. "Our site had a trex picnic table on a cement patio. An on site firepit was cozy at night," adds Patrick C.
Hiking trails: Explore wooded paths at Mountain Lakes Park. This park features several small lakes and Mt. Bailey, the highest point in Westchester County. "There are also many hikes which can be trekked straight from the campgrounds which is always a huge plus," says Ethan K. The park offers yurt rentals for those seeking a glamping experience near Plainview.
Wine tasting: Visit Long Island wineries from Wildwood State Park Campground. The park sits at the entrance to North Fork wine country. "It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)," mentions James O. Wineries are typically open year-round with peak season running May through October.
What campers like
Diverse beach options: Both bay and ocean access at Smith Point County Park. Campsites offer different water views and experiences. "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," reports Gianna. The park features both oceanfront and bayside camping areas.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings at multiple campgrounds. Many reviewers mention wildlife encounters as highlights. "You get visits from the nearby deer," shares Tim M. about Smith Point County Park. At Indian Island County Park in Riverhead, the sunrise views add to the experience: "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 Prashant M.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean, accessible restrooms. Many campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Indian Island, reviewers note "park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site." Wildwood State Park offers "among the most modern bathrooms I've seen at a State Park campground," according to Amber A., who describes it as having "shady camp sites, pine barrens and hardwood forest to explore, lots of deer, pretty good birding."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature close quarters with limited separation between sites. "Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through," says Michael G. about Wildwood State Park. At Indian Island County Park, another camper mentions sites are "packed like sardines."
Fire ring policies differ: Not all campgrounds provide fire rings. At Indian Island, Maxime T. notes: "The only reason I gave 4 stars is because 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." Wildwood State Park has similar policies, with one camper mentioning "a little bit of a bummer on the rental for a firepit."
Residency restrictions apply at some parks: Camp Glen Gray in New Jersey allows vehicle-free camping with gear transport assistance: "Camp also provides trucking of gear weather permitting. No vehicles allowed to drive through camp," says Jose N. At Smith Point County Park, Tim M. warns of restrictions: "ONLY DRAWBACKS, 1- YOU HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF SUFFOLK CO, NY, 2- ONE WEEK STAY AT A TIME. PERIOD."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer play areas for children. At Indian Island County Park, Gino D. mentions "an open field with a playground for kids." Wildwood State Park also has "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," according to Giselle P.
Choose campsites strategically: Corner sites often provide more space for families. At Smith Point, Stephen P. advises: "I also like the corner sites as they are bigger." For glamping options near Plainview with children, consider the variety of accommodation types.
Expect varied noise levels: Family-friendly doesn't always mean quiet. At Smith Point County Park, Ali O. cautions: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Look for level sites with proper hookups. At Branchbrook Campground in Connecticut, reviewers note changes in management have affected the experience. When staying at Indian Island County Park, frank P. found the "shore power was without any problems."
Pull-through availability: Wildwood State Park offers convenient pull-through sites. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," according to Lori R. The campground has separate areas designated for RVs versus tent camping.
Hookup details: Water access varies by season and location. At Indian Island County Park, Janelle G. reports: "Water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving (2 night visit) and had to drive to fill the fresh water tank once while there." She adds, "No sewers sites that I could tell," which is important for planning longer stays.
