Best Tent Camping near Port Washington, NY
Backcountry tent camping opportunities near Port Washington, New York are concentrated within several key recreational areas along the Hudson River and Atlantic coastline. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers primitive tent setups with sites spaced far apart, while Sandy Hook—Gateway National Recreation Area provides walk-in tent sites that require campers to transport gear from parking areas to designated camping zones. Campgaw Mountain Reservation offers free tent camping with permit requirements.
Tent sites at Sandy Hook feature fire pits and picnic tables, though campers should note the absence of showers and electricity. Most locations require carrying gear a short distance, with Sandy Hook providing wheelbarrows for equipment transport. Bear-resistant food storage containers are available at several campgrounds to protect food from wildlife, particularly at Sandy Hook where raccoons are frequently mentioned in visitor reports. Battle Row Campground requires campers to bring their own fire containers as ground fires are prohibited, while primitive sites along Stonetown Circular Trail have established fire rings but minimal other amenities.
Tent campers at Watch Hill on Fire Island can obtain permits for backcountry beach camping instead of using designated campground spots. Walking east from the check-in area until reaching poles with tent symbols allows campers to select their own setup location along the dunes. Areas along the Hudson River, including Croton Point Park, offer tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings in semi-wooded settings. A camper noted that Ward Pound Ridge Reservation offers "sites far apart" with new picnic tables, though they are "much farther away from the comfort stations than most campgrounds." At Sandy Hook, visitors appreciate the privacy of certain sites, with one camper reporting that "some sites have shelters, others do not. Pay attention when reserving."
