Best Tent Camping near Port Jefferson, NY

Looking for tent camping near Port Jefferson? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Port Jefferson with tent camping. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Port Jefferson, New York's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Port Jefferson, New York (11)

    Ossama  B.'s photo of tent camping at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Wildwood State Park Campground near Wading River, NY

    1. Wildwood State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    64 Photos
    219 Saves
    Wading River, New York

    Take the Virtual Tour! - WILDWOOD STATE PARK

    Wildwood State Park comprises 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest, terminating on the high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound. Swimmers can take advantage of the cool waters of the Sound, and picnickers can relax at shaded picnic tables as their children enjoy the nearby playground. Visitors can fish and use the hiking and cross-country ski trails, making this an enjoyable place to camp and be outdoors in any season. Geography: Wildwood State Park is located near Long Island Sound, on the north shore of Long Island, in Suffolk County. Recreation: Considered a flagship facility, visitors can enjoy the beach, biking, camper recreation programs, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and cross-country skiing. During July and August, movies are shown weekly, and once a week, campers can enjoy an evening of line or square dancing. Facilities: The park has 2 miles of beach on the Long Island sound for fishing and swimming. Each campsite has a picnic table, and dumping stations are nearby. There are 10 cottages, each with a fire ring, screened-in patio, and are available for rent through mid-November. The campground recycles newspaper and cardboard. Other amenities include food concessions, a nature trail, twelve miles of marked hiking trails, a picnic area, basketball courts, ball fields, a playground, and showers. Firewood is for sale at the park; bring your own barbecue or metal fire container.

    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    Alexandra M.'s photo of tent camping at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hammonasset State Park Campground near Clinton, CT

    2. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    38 Reviews
    71 Photos
    294 Saves
    Clinton, Connecticut

    Hammonasset Beach State Park is the largest of Connecticut’s shoreline parks. Two-mile beach, facilities for swimming, camping (third weekend in May to Columbus Day), picnicking, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, hiking and boating; concessions. Nature center and interpretive programs. Bicycle rentals available through Labor Day, rates begin at $10 per hour and range up to $75 per week, with discounts for children. Helmets provided free to use and are mandatory for riders 15 and younger. Note: Lifeguards on duty on Wednesday through Sunday. Pricing: Weekdays: free for CT vehicles; $15/out-of-state $7 after 4:00 pm. Weekends and holidays: free for CT vehicles; $22/out-of-state $7 after 4:00 pm William F. Miller Campground. 558 open sites. Concession, dumping station, bathrooms, showers. Saltwater swimming and fishing. Individual fireplaces not provided. No pets.

    • Pets
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Trash

    $20 - $45 / night

    Rosie R.'s photo of tent camping at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore near Bayport, NY

    3. Watch Hill Family Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

    7 Reviews
    38 Photos
    101 Saves
    Bayport, New York

    The family campground at Watch Hill provides a camping experience like no other.

    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Cabins
    • Tent Cabin
    • Glamping
    Anil S.'s photo of tent camping at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation near Cross River, NY

    4. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    9 Reviews
    54 Photos
    171 Saves
    Cross River, New York

    The 4,315-acre park makes Ward Pound Ridge Reservation the county’s largest park. With its varied terrain and landscapes and miles of wooded trails, the park provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing and cross-country skiing.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • Tents

    $45 - $55 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Fire Island National Seashore near Mastic Beach, NY

    5. Fire Island National Seashore

    1 Review
    10 Saves
    Mastic Beach, New York
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Dispersed

    $25 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Mountain Lakes Park near North Salem, NY

    6. Mountain Lakes Park

    3 Reviews
    12 Photos
    136 Saves
    North Salem, New York
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Yurts
    • Glamping
    Anil S.'s photo of tent camping at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY
    Camper-submitted photo at Croton Point Park near Croton-on-Hudson, NY

    7. Croton Point Park

    9 Reviews
    26 Photos
    285 Saves
    Croton-on-Hudson, New York

    Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River. This park offers year-round events and activities and has facilities for camping, hiking and swimming. The park, rich in natural and human history, is also the site of historic wine cellars that are thought of be the oldest in New York State and the Croton Point Nature Center. The oldest oyster shell middens on the North Atlantic Coast uncovered by archeologists on Croton Point confirm that the peninsula was inhabited by Native Americans as early as 7,000 years ago. Croton is in fact named for the Indian sachem, Kenoten, which means "wild wind.” In the 17th century, Indians of the Kitchawank tribe on the Wappinger Confederacy occupied a large fortified village on the high flat at the neck of Croton Point, which they called Navish. This was one of the most ancient and formidable Indian fortresses south of the Hudson Highlands.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents

    $30 - $60 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Hidden Lake Farm near Higganum, CT

    8. Hidden Lake Farm

    1 Review
    5 Photos
    20 Saves
    Higganum, Connecticut

    ***Very quiet and private in back woods horse pastures on a small farm with free range chickens, a dog, and a couple of horses. Your pets are welcome too! ***

    Locally there are state parks with beaches, and state forest for trails & lakes, hiking and biking. Or you can just relax and enjoy the serenity!

    *** Each campsite has its own fire-pit and table with chairs. ***

    We cannot allow any wood for camp fires to be brought in form the outside for environmental reasons. It can be purchased for $10 per bundle on site or $12 preordered with reservation.

    Farm Fresh eggs daily when available for $4.00 per 1/2 dozen. And there are also blocks of ice $5. Garbage removal is available as well $5 per bag provided.

    **Other attractions include local farmers markets, Gilette's Castle, and the famous River Ferry crossing the Connecticut River with a vehicle across to East Haddam. *

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Trash
    • Picnic Table

    $49 / night

    Camper-submitted photo at Gillette Castle State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT

    9. Gillette Castle State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    26 Saves
    Hadlyme, Connecticut

    Four public camps along the Connecticut River at Hurd, Gillette Castle, River Highlands and Selden Neck State Parks offer primitive, riverside sites with fireplaces and pit toilets for individuals traveling on the river.

    Use of river campsites at River Highlands, Hurd and Gillette Castle is restricted to canoers and kayakers only.

    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Market
    • Trash
    • Picnic Table
    Jason S.'s photo of tent camping at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT
    Camper-submitted photo at Selden Neck State Park Campground near Hadlyme, CT

    10. Selden Neck State Park Campground

    1 Review
    10 Photos
    12 Saves
    Hadlyme, Connecticut

    Selden Neck offers 4 sites: Cedars site - 20 campers Hogback site - 6 campers Springledge site - 8 campers Quarry Knob site - 12 campers

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Picnic Table
    • Toilets

    $5 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews near Port Jefferson, New York

286 Reviews of 11 Port Jefferson Campgrounds


  • Nadia V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sears Bellows County Park
    Aug. 24, 2016

    Sears Bellows County Park

    Relaxing-Good for your whole family!

    Sears Bellows in New York is a lot of fun. It really does offer a lot of outdoor activities for you and your family. I have stayed at this campsite 1 time, and stayed 2 nights. This campground does offer tent sites as well as RV/trailer sites. When I went with my friends in college, we just stayed in the tent sites and really enjoyed it. The campground is very well kept and clean which I really liked. They do have quite a bit of garbage's to dump your trash in. One thing I really liked about this campground is that there was a river/pond close by (Bellows Pond). The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap. The next morning we got up and did some hiking. The trails were beautiful, and the flowers were in bloom. There were people who were also biking on these trails, which looked like so much fun! We also saw some people fishing in the pond- and it seemed like most people were catching. The people who stayed in the campsite next to us were cooking up some type of fish for their dinner that they caught that day. One thing to note is that there are not any electrical hook-ups, so if that is something you need you might now want to come stay here. I would love to come back here someday, but stay maybe a day or two longer to do more things- I would also bring my bike and fishing pole to do more outdoor activities. I would also advise to rent the rowboats because that was a lot of fun!

  • Amber A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    Jul. 31, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Ok if you don’t have another choice

    The park itself is lovely and close to some other green areas. The nice thing about this campsite is that it’s so close to NYC. The bad thing about this campsite is that it’s so close to NYC. If you live in NYC this is a good, cheap, super quick escape accessible by public transport. If you’re visiting the area I’d recommend staying in Manhattan/Queens in an AirBNB for the full NYC experience or heading to Long Island, Pennsylvania, “Upstate” New York, or New Jersey for a better nature camping experience. For what it is, this site is a nice green little oasis. It’s National Park Service land and they try really hard to keep things clean and working well with so much traffic. Bring earplus for the airport traffic and the noisy neighbors. Tent sites are pretty and wooded, but there is also a TON of concrete from an old WW2 airfield.

  • Michael M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Heckscher State Park Campground
    Aug. 23, 2019

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Work in progres

    State is really trying with this park, putting in new beach front cottages. Other then that the RV and tent camping is horrible, as the previous review stated sites aren't marked and the tables and BBQs are trashed.

  • Christy C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    Jun. 10, 2017

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    "Camping" in Brooklyn

    We tried this campground without knowing what was safe and where to stay for visit New York City. It is located in Brooklyn and is little removed from everything. The sites are at Floyd Bennett Field which is an old airfield. The atmosphere here is eerily cool at the same time. You basically park and camp on the asphalt by the old hangars. No hookups at all but they do have a camp store and bath house. If you are tent camping, there are some grassy sites.

    The campground is located right on Jamaica Bay so there were people fishing all the time from the seawall. At night, you could hear cars doing burnouts right next to us. To get to all the action in the city, we had to take a bus and then the subway. The travel was a headache but better than trying to drive in to New York City in our RV. One way to improve here would be to have some security at night as well as access to clean water and dump station. They remained locked most of the time for some reason.

    The best part of this place was the free tour of Hangar B by some guys doing restoration of old planes (HARP). They had some great stories and gave us history of the planes on display.

  • k
    Camper-submitted photo from Battle Row Campground
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Battle Row Campground

    Nothing there but clean and quiet

    This campground is old and there isn't much there, but it depends on why you're camping whether that matters to you.  We wanted to be by the beach and we were.

    The playground is new and centrally located.  They also have a horseshoe pit. 

    There are lots of RVs but not close to tent sites.  There were lots of showers but only 1 was unlocked (free and with hot water).  The bathroom was very clean and well stocked.

    There are 5-7 tent sites.  Ours was #59, well shaded and spacious.  

    The water spigot and the gray-water dump are not right by the tent sites.  Seems silly since the tents are the ones using them.

    Our site was not clean when we arrived.  There was garbage in the woods and cigarette butts on the ground.  We cleaned up everything ourselves (except in the woods due to poison ivy), but I think they can do better.

    There are NO fire pits, you must bring your own.  Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground. 

    The sites all have a table and raised BBQ "pit" for cooking only.

    They are extremely nice there.

    I still give this campground 4 stars because it was quiet, the campground itself was clean, the bathrooms were clean and it was centrally located to what I wanted to do plus the sites are very big.

  • Ruth K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Compounce Campground
    Sep. 27, 2021

    Lake Compounce Campground

    Great Stopover or Amusement Park visit

    Campground is only years old. Sites were large enough for RV. NO privacy, bit tent sites were ok. Fre showers for number of campsites, but very clean. Affiliated with Lake Compounce Amusement Park adjacent to campground.

  • Michael M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Battle Row Campground
    Dec. 26, 2022

    Battle Row Campground

    Fantastic hidden tent camping experience

    I have lived 6 miles from this campground for the last 20 years and never knew they had tent sites. The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids. 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

  • Elaine C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Kettletown State Park Campground
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Kettletown State Park Campground

    Camping in nature, not too far from civilization

    Kettletown State Park isn't just for camping. There are also hiking trails , a fishing area and a swimming hole, but the week I was there there was a high bacteria count, so no swimming was allowed. Also, when swimming is allowed, there isnt a lifeguard.

    The campsites are varied, you can tent camp, use a camper, or they also have a few cabins you can rent. Be advised, there isn't a kitchen or bathroom in the cabins!

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Hammonasset State Park Campground
    Sep. 18, 2019

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Nice family place

    Good family campground with access to the ocean. No fire pits in the ground but you can bring your own ($50 on Amazon) or rent one (bring cash). I've done tent camping here in the summer but don't know much about the RV side, although I believe they have dump stations and such. Restrooms and showers are pretty good too, but typical campground bathrooms. 4 stars cuz I'm not a huge fan of the beaches, if I could give 4.9 stars I would.

  • Diane R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Compounce Campground
    Oct. 12, 2021

    Lake Compounce Campground

    Great campground

    Easy entry, long pull thrus. You will face your neighbor door to door but enough room between you don't feel invaded. Restrooms are clean and spacious. Showers are great. Whoever planned this campground is/was a camper. They have cabins, teepee and tent sites. This is attached to an amusement park but far enough away not to be a bother. If ever in the area again we will definitely stay again.

  • Jonathan C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Croton Point Park
    Aug. 24, 2020

    Croton Point Park

    Nice, but loud at night

    Nice site and a 30-40 minute drive from Western Queens. Tent site is after the RV site, so use their LX before you get to site if you can. Dumpster and water near sites. We stayed in site 9. The higher number sites were closer to the RV site and the water. The site was very loud (dance music) until after 11pm. Quiet time at 10pm. Great site for a party, try to stay away from this end of the site or choose a site away from other bookings if you’d like quite. $50/night without Westchester pass.

  • Anil S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Croton Point Park
    Sep. 6, 2020

    Croton Point Park

    A gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails

    This must be one of the most breathtaking camp grounds (family friendly) right on the Hudson. Tent sites are very private with some dirt roads to exit out but thats what make it unique experience! Bathrooms with shower is near by and has plenty porta potties all around. Keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night. Fire is allowed and has no issues of mosquitoes. No on-site stores so pick up all your necessary essentials prior to. Short 5 minute drive to nearby supermarket to pick up food or firewood. I would highly recommend it. Oh...and did i say, gorgeous scenery along the river and a private beach which is opened from Wednesday to the weekend with life guards on duty!

  • Morrow L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sleeping Giant Picnic Shelter - CLOSED
    Sep. 8, 2018

    Sleeping Giant Picnic Shelter - CLOSED

    Pin

    Sleeping Giant has been closed since May 2018. A tornado came through and knocked down many trees near the main entrance to and major parking lot for the park (on Mount Carmel Avenue across from Quinnipiac University).

    This entrance area has been cleared and is being rebuilt. The picnic and pavilion areas were also affected (though less so) and will be renovated also.

    In the past the picnic shelter and pavilion areas were well shaded by trees and were a wonderful place to bring the family or even large groups of people for a party. This will presumably be so at some point in the future after the park re-opens.

    There were Sleeping Giant Park campground sites which could be reserved and used for tent camping back in the twentieth century. I remember them from the 1980s. They have not been available for many years now.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Croton Point Park
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Croton Point Park

    Not too much to offer

    General: A county park with a mix of w/e (6 sites) and FHU sites plus about a dozen tent sites near a capped dump! There is a lodge and cabins close to the end of the point, but they appeared to be part of a group camp experience. They all appeared to be closed for the season (or because no one was renting at the time; they reminded me of places I used to take youth groups for weekend camps). The reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site.

    Site Quality: We had a loosely defined gravel pad that was level. All sites appeared level. The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together. No one was in the tent sites, but they did have new picnic tables.

    Activities/Amenities: Other than a playground and a basketball court, there did not seem to be any activities to partake in. There used to be a pool but from the looks of it, it hasn’t been in use for many years. There are walking paths outside of the campground that are located within the park, but we did not have time to explore them. 

    Bath/Shower house: Clean but a bit dated. No shelves or hooks for toiletries. I was surprised the door was left open all night long. There was a sign warning that the toilets were slow flushing, but I think this may have been fixed because the flush was so powerful that the water splashed over the top of the seat! 

    Because it was on a point on the Hudson, I had hoped for views from the campground but there were too many trees to see the water. I was perplexed by the signs throughout saying no trespassing/fishing prohibited. I get the no fishing part but the trespassing? When we checked in, we had to write down our credit card number on a slip of paper before we were given a key that opened the gate to the campground. When we checked out, we asked for the paper or to watch it get shredded but were told they had to keep it on file which concerned us.

  • Alex S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Neck State Park Campground
    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.

  • Ming R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ward Pound Ridge Reservation
    Sep. 1, 2018

    Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

    Manicured grounds; sites far apart

    Ward Pound Ridge is very well known to the locals as a great place for sled-riding in winter (Pell Hill area) and a place for big group gatherings. The many different trails are frequented by the locals as well. In recent years, the county government also allow bow-hunting of deer to control its population during the months of October to December.

    As far as camping as a family, it is not too exciting a place for us. The grounds are far too well trimmed, as you can see in one of the videos. There is wide open space and the paths are well paved so kids can have fun riding the bikes or running around. There is also many trails of various difficulty levels to suit everyone, including horseback riders. The Trailside Nature Museum is also fun for the kids.

    There are lean-to sites as well as tent sites. A maximum of eight people in two tents are allowed at each site. But if you really do have a party of eight, one picnic table seems to be inadequate. The sites are much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds we have been to. But there are port-a-potties very close to the sites, which is very important when you have young kids.

    All in all, it is not a place I would recommend if you want to get close to nature.

  • Kari M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    Sep. 16, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Best getaway in New York!

    Camp Gateway is one of my favorite places to go when I want to get away from the busy city! It's in such a great location because it's close to the city yet seems so far away. You feel like you are miles away from the busy city because of all the trees, and the campground creates a great outdoor feel. If camping is "boring" for you, this still is a great place to go because you can schedule tours and the Statue of Liberty isn't far away, so you can go visit that. I really enjoy hiking around the area, and they also have some great paths for biking. I rented my bike from a local shop close by- Avaitor Sports Shop. The only downside is that they do have a few guidelines and rules- lets are not allowed in the tent sites, no alcochol allowed and no charcoal grills. This does help keep the campground pretty clean, which is always nice. There is a lake nearby that has boat launches and I've seen people kayaking too. The campground was nice, and the campsite had a fire ring and table. Our camp spot was a little farther away from the restrooms, but it wasn't too bad. They also have showers available too. I would recommend this campsite!

  • John D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Neck State Park Campground
    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..

  • Ellen C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Heckscher State Park Campground
    Jul. 15, 2019

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    Like camping in a city park, the beach cottages are the highlight

    My husband and and I camped one night at this newly reopened park over the weekend in Long Island just to check it out and were pretty disappointed by the tent camping area. There are 69 tent/trailer sites(no hook ups). There is no distinguishing separation between each site nor a designated driveway for your car- you merely pull up on the grass. It's basically like camping in your local city park. People park wildly all over the place, which also makes it more difficult to determine which site is which by the number painted on the roadway. Each"site" has a picnic table and an barbecue grate on a post. There is one bath/shower house in the center of all of these sites with no path provided for folks to walk to and fro, so naturally people will walk right through your site randomly rather than around the road. While the bathroom building itself is in decent shape and has a large amount of toilet stalls and about five showers, the condition of women's room was absolutely ghastly inside.

    At some point during the evening, a maintenance worker on a golf cart showed up with a mop and some cleaning supplies and cleaned the men's side of the building. I was so relieved when I saw him, but he seemed to neglect the women's side completely, so I resorted to using the men's facilities all night.

    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. There are large dumpsters located throughout the camping area and a large trash bag is provided (if needed) at the camp office when you check in.

    The highlight of Heckscher State Park is the newly constructed heated cottages located on the shore of Nichol's& Great South Bays.. There are currently 11 cottages--- with more under construction. There are cottages suited for two, four, and six people and range in price from$225-$285 per night during off peak seasons and$250- 320 per night during the peak seasons.

    The cottages are fully furnished, with a full kitchen and large bathroom with a walk in shower. The cottages are a short walk from the beach and also include a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and an outdoor shower on the exterior each property. I do not have photos of the inside, but they do have them on the Reserve America website if you are interested.

    While the cottages are lovely and their location is fabulous  they are quite pricey and  no TLC was spent in the$22 tent/rv camping area, other than a new registration office which is not yet completed as of this weekend. I do hope they invest some funding in the primitive area to add fire pits,more water spigots, clearer site markings and for the continued maintenance& upkeep of the bath/shower house.

    * I emailed the parks departement about the issues mentioned above about the camping area and received this reply:

    I am sorry that you are upset with the conditions in our recently opened campgrounds. We have replaced all of the picnic tables. Although, they may look old because they are weathered since these picnic tables were put together during the Winter, however, they are brand new. All of the barbeques are also new and were installed during the Winter. We have changed and modernized the light fixtures and we will be replacing the rusted doors that you mentioned. There are also plans to install a playground within the campground beginning this Fall and we are looking for other improvements and additions to the campgrounds. As you probably noticed there is a new building under construction, at the entrance to the campgrounds, and it will serve as a check-in area, as well as, additional comfort stations, including family restrooms. Your suggestion of fire pits is a good one and the Park Managers will evaluate the feasibility of installing these. Lastly, I have spoken to the Park Manager who will review the cleaning operation to ensure the restrooms are appropriately maintained. I apologize for our employee not cleaning the women's room. Again, I am sorry for your negative experience but we are continuing to make improvements to the campgrounds.

    Sincerely, George Gorman Regional Director New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    I will check back later this year to see if anything was changed and report back.

  • Carrie J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Weird One

    This place is kind of a toss up for me. On one hand, I enjoy it because it's a little slice of heaven in the hell of one of the busy areas of New York. I hate this place for the same reason. It's not really camping if you're going to see a play and then go tour the Statue of Liberty. It just doesn't seem right to me. If I HAVE to be in New York, maybe I'd consider staying here again just to get myself out of the city for a bit. But this definitely isn't your "great outdoors/rest and relaxation" kind of place.

  • Nadia V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    Aug. 24, 2016

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    Definitely a place to visit!

    Camp Gateway in Brooklyn New York is one of my favorite places to visit. I went to college in New York, and loved to get out of the busy city and go camping and be outdoors. Camp Gateway was always a place that I loved to go. It is pretty close to town-which is crazy because you feel like you are miles away. Camp Gateway does offer a lot of different activities for everyone. One thing I love to do is go kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. My girlfriends and I tried to do this once a month to get away from the city and school. Because you are so close to the city, you can plan outdoor activities as well as some activities in the city. My friends and I stayed 1 night in the campground, and the next day went to a recital show that took us 10 minutes to get to. You can also walk, hike or ride your bike along multiple paths- I have done the Fort Tilden trail (I just walked, but there were multiple people that passed us on their bikes). Within the campground they do have some fire pits- which my friends and I always use because we love cooking smores and hot dogs for dinner. A little further away from the campground, about 10-15 miles there is a place where you can do horseback riding, see the Statue of Liberty (which is gorgeous!), and there is a little beach area. This beach area is where I do my kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Again, its not very far away...you can either drive there, walk or ride your bike. The road is paved, which is nice. I stayed here also with my parents, and I know my dad went golfing one day (I didn't go, but he said it was awesome)- and again that was only a 10 minute drive from our camping spot. This campground like I said, does offer quite a bit. Sometimes it doesn't really feel like you are "camping" because things are pretty close by, but it definitely is worth going to and trying.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Island County Park
    Apr. 23, 2021

    Indian Island County Park

    great

    great camping with tents and travel trailers, bathroom are ok. not the greatest but perfect all in all to camp for a few days or a full week, hook up or not

  • Carolyn W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Indian Island County Park
    Aug. 22, 2022

    Indian Island County Park

    Camper glamping

    Bathrooms and showers were a good size. Rangers were driving around often but hand no issues with drink in red cups. Site 130 was a camper we rented then I got 131 to have more room and had tents

  • Helen L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Neck State Park Campground
    Feb. 4, 2022

    Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    Walking distance to beach!

    We had a wonderful time camping 4 nights in August at the Osprey Loop. The campground is about 20 min. walk and 5 min. drive to the beach. There is no additional entrance fee to the beach. The Osprey loop has the most woodsy campsites. However, many are very rocky (punctured the floor of our tent even with an additional tarp) and oddly shaped so if you have multiple tents/screen houses, the the campsites at other loops are grassy with bigger size lots. Bathrooms are average in cleanliness. Firewood is available at check-in but there is no on-site camp store for last minute necessities. Grocery stores and many restaurants are about 15 min. away so it is very convenient. I highly recommend this park for an affordable beach vacation.

  • Michael V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area
    May. 12, 2019

    Camp Gateway- Brooklyn NY - CLOSED — Gateway National Recreation Area

    A great little bit of camp in Brooklyn!

    Gateway is perfect for camping when you don’t need a big adventure, just a well crafted little one. Located in Brooklyn, it was a natural choice when I took my group of scouts who were between the ages of 3-5, so in case of emergencies, or kids who freak out about tent sleeping, getting home or other resources is easy. Once in the sites, the foliage and layout perfectly cuts out the city, so it feels like real woods camping. And the beach nearby, visitor center, trails, and other amenities means you always hav something to do. Special highlight, the aviation museum!

    I highly recommend it if you’re camping with little kids or if you just want an easy relaxing weekend when you can pop up a tent, hang a hammock, and not have to worry about packing for a big trip.


Guide to Port Jefferson

Tent camping near Port Jefferson, New York, offers a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Long Island. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your outdoor adventure.

Tips for tent camping near Port Jefferson

  • Wildwood State Park Campground provides a well-maintained environment with easy access to the beach, making it ideal for families looking to enjoy a day by the water.
  • Watch Hill Family Campground is accessible by ferry, offering a unique experience for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the sounds of nature.
  • Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features numerous hiking trails and cozy shelters, perfect for campers who want to explore the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $50

  • At Wildwood State Park Campground, you can expect to pay around $30 per night for a tent site, which includes amenities like drinking water and picnic tables.
  • Watch Hill Family Campground offers tent camping for approximately $25 per night, providing a serene environment with basic facilities.
  • Mountain Lakes Park has tent sites available for about $40 per night, with the option to rent yurts for a unique camping experience.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Wildwood State Park Campground features electric hookups and clean restroom facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for all campers.
  • At Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, campers can enjoy fire pits at each shelter site, perfect for cozy evenings around the fire.
  • Fire Island National Seashore offers a secluded camping experience with access to beautiful beaches, although it lacks some modern amenities like showers and electric hookups.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Port Jefferson, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Port Jefferson, NY is Wildwood State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 22 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Port Jefferson, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Port Jefferson, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.