Camping options near Ridge, New York offer varied experiences beyond standard campground stays. Suffolk County parks provide year-round access while state parks typically operate seasonally from April through October. The region features a mix of wooded sites and waterfront camping with temperature ranges from 40-85°F depending on season. Many sites require Suffolk County's Green Key card for discounts and reservations.
What to do
Kayaking at Indian Island County Park: Launch directly from the park's beach areas for paddling in calmer bay waters. "The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family," notes a visitor to Indian Island County Park.
Birdwatching at nearby wetlands: Multiple sites offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly during migration seasons. As one camper at Hammonasset State Park shared, "Nice beaches, great hiking and bird watching. Amazing sunset scene. We enjoyed mid August staying for 3 nights."
Hiking the forested trails: Cathedral Pines offers walking paths through pine barrens typical of Long Island's ecology. "Usually every site has a decent fire pit/grill. Usually quiet, occasional deer. Be sure to lock food away as the raccoons are pretty invasive," warns a Cathedral Pines County Park visitor.
Beach camping at Fire Island: For a unique experience, consider backcountry permits at Watch Hill. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it," explains an experienced camper.
What campers like
Direct beach access: The proximity to beaches ranks high with visitors. "Short walk to beach. Corner sites as they are bigger. The 230-70 overlook the ocean which is great," notes a visitor at Smith Point County Park.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local animals. "I watched a momma deer nursing two of her babies. This is paradise," shares one camper about their experience at Smith Point.
Campground convenience: Facilities receive positive feedback for cleanliness and accessibility. "Potable water is available at regular intervals, about at the corners of each group of four campsites," explains a visitor to Heckscher State Park Campground.
Wooded privacy: Certain sites provide more natural settings away from crowds. "The further camps are very far from facilities and the ones closer to the bathrooms are usually louder/taken up," notes a Cathedral Pines reviewer.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Suffolk County parks require a Green Key card for resident discounts. "You need a Green Key card membership for reservation which at least got me a 50% ($9) discount on beach parking," explains a Southaven visitor.
Bug protection is essential: Coastal campsites particularly struggle with insects. "Beware and prepare for ticks. Very wooded," warns a camper at Southaven County Park.
Site privacy varies significantly: Most campgrounds feature open layouts with limited separation between sites. "The camping area itself is small, but park is good sized with an excellent lake and hiking," notes a visitor to Blydenburgh County Park.
Fire ring policies differ: Not all campgrounds provide fire pits. "No shade so be prepared to wake early if you're in a sweltering tent. Also note this is not a quiet campground, campers stay up late drinking by the fire," advises a Smith Point County Park camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "Perfect place to take the little ones has a beautiful lake and a really nice playground highly recommended," says a Southaven County Park visitor.
Safety considerations: Ranger presence provides security for families with children. "Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe," mentions a camper at Heckscher State Park.
Beach activities: Coastal campgrounds provide water recreation for all ages. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," explains a Smith Point camper.
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs at several parks. "There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids," notes a Watch Hill Fire Island camper.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several parks offer comprehensive amenities for larger rigs. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," reports a Wildwood State Park visitor.
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully based on shade and location preferences. "Sites are great overlooking the bay. I also like the corner sites as they are bigger," advises a Smith Point camper.
Limited big rig access: Some parks have size restrictions or challenging access. "Camper side review: Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs. Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through," cautions another Wildwood visitor.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management needs. "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," notes an Indian Island County Park visitor.
