Suffolk County offers varied camping near Riverhead, New York throughout three distinct seasons. The region sits at sea level with sandy soil conditions that drain quickly after rain. Most campgrounds in the area are situated among pine barrens or coastal environments where temperatures range from 45-65°F in spring and fall, with summer highs reaching 90°F.
What to do
Beach activities at Smith Point County Park: The park provides direct ocean access with sites overlooking the Atlantic. One camper reported, "Beautiful on the bay or ocean side. They also have a hill top section. Beautiful views." Smith Point offers both swimming and fishing opportunities within walking distance of campsites.
Kayaking at Sears Bellows County Park: The park features Bellows Pond with affordable rowboat rentals for water exploration. A visitor shared, "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 park also maintains hiking and biking trails throughout the wooded area.
Wildlife observation at Cathedral Pines: The wooded environment attracts local wildlife throughout the camping areas. One camper noted, "Usually quiet, occasional deer. Be sure to lock food away as the raccoons are pretty invasive." Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities at this Middle Island location.
What campers like
Site variety at Wildwood State Park Campground: The park offers diverse camping environments to suit different preferences. A camper explained, "This is a very nice campground with various kinds of sites. You can find sites that are less wooded and better suited to group camping, as well as sites that are a little more secluded." The campground maintains separate areas for RVs and tents.
Local attractions near camping areas: The region provides numerous off-site activities within short driving distance. One Wildwood visitor noted, "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." Wine country access adds another regional activity option.
Waterfront camping at Shinnecock East County Park: Beachfront camping creates unique experiences along the Atlantic Ocean. A camper shared, "Camping directly on the beach at one of the nicest beaches in the world. You cannot find another place like this!!" Both bay and ocean sides offer different water experiences.
What you should know
Reservation requirements for Suffolk County parks: Most parks require Suffolk County green key cards for reservations. A camper at Sears Bellows County Park (Suffolk County) explained, "I had to get a Suffolk County green key card. And then pay 50 dollars per night. It wasn't cheap but it's definitely cheaper than the hotels in the area."
Site privacy varies significantly: Campgrounds range from secluded to densely packed sites. A Wildwood camper warned, "Recently they became very stringent about parking to 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."
Fire ring policies differ by location: Some parks don't provide fire rings at campsites. A camper at Wildwood noted, "Lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own." This policy appears at multiple campgrounds in the area, requiring advance planning for campfires.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks maintain playgrounds for children. A visitor to Indian Island County Park shared, "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 proximity with children: Oceanfront camping creates additional supervision requirements but rewards with beach access. A Smith Point visitor observed, "My wife and I live 30 minutes from Smiths Point and been visiting the beach since childhood, but neither of us had ever camped there... It also happened to be Trick or Treat weekend on the campground which really fun to see."
Bug preparation essential: Ticks and other insects require preventative measures. A camper at Suffolk County Sears Bellows warned, "This is a nice campground - not crowded and centrally located. However, I cannot walk ANYWHERE without picking up ticks. Even on the large sand paths, going to and from the bathroom I find ticks."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through sites at Southaven County Park: The campground accommodates larger rigs with accessible sites. One visitor mentioned, "The side with electricity was ok. Places to eat are very close, and a 15 minute drive to Smith's Point beach was a plus. You need a Green Key card membership for reservation which at least got me a 50% ($9) discount on beach parking."
Electric and water hookups: Most campgrounds provide at least partial hookups for RVs. A camper at Indian Island noted, "Electric and water is nice for pop up. Little pricey compared to nys parks." Hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with few offering full sewer connections.
Dump station locations: Plan for dump station locations that may require relocating your RV. An Indian Island camper shared, "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." Many campgrounds offer centralized dump stations rather than at-site connections.
