44 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Indian Island County Park accepts pets with clean heated bathrooms and dog-friendly trails near Riverhead. Sears Bellows County Park and Wildwood State Park Campground also welcome pets in their tent and RV sites. Leashed dogs are permitted at campgrounds throughout Suffolk County, with several parks offering proximity to beaches and water access for pets. Facilities vary by location with some campgrounds providing full hookups, showers, and designated pet areas. The bathrooms at Indian Island County Park are well-maintained with some visitors noting the showers are hot. Campground regulations typically require pets to remain on leash at all times, and owners must clean up after their animals.
Trails around Sears Bellows provide excellent pet walking opportunities with multiple hiking paths through wooded areas. The beach at Wildwood State Park requires water shoes for pets and owners due to rocky shorelines, but offers spectacular sunset views over Long Island Sound. Most Suffolk County campgrounds remain open year-round, though amenities may be limited during off-season periods. Campers should be aware of tick warnings at several parks, particularly Sears Bellows where visitors report finding ticks even on sand paths. Some campgrounds require Suffolk County Green Key cards for entry, with nightly rates around $50 for sites with pets. Playgrounds for children are available at most locations, creating family-friendly environments where dogs can join camping activities.
"Lots of other nice state parks in the area plus all the usual Long Island attractions (Riverhead Aquarium, Greek restaurants, farmer's markets, etc.)."
"The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."
from $24 - $250 / night
Check Availability"Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."
"There are dog friendly which was very nice. It is a lil tight from each site but you have the beach and a little hiking trails that makes it worth it."
"The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses."
"Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Is good for dogs to the trails are nice and big"
"This hidden gem is located right in Hampton Bays and is the perfect campground for anyone looking to camp off the grid."
"Recently went camping in our pull behind, met some old friends and had a great time. Rangers have a hardon for people screwing up tho. Think they're all that and then some..."
"Great Location Clean Park."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Literally steps to the beach."
"A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite. No shade so be prepared to wake early if you’re in a sweltering tent. Staff has been great, no complaints."
"I had bathrooms and showers near me. There’s a beautiful natural lake and other amenities. Also, the camp is pretty safe. I left my things unattended a couple of times and nothing happened."
GuideSmall campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table. There is a wonderful little frozen custard shop down the road called roses farm stand. It’s a perfect campground for seeing the local area or even catching the train to New York City.
TravelerClean, family friendly campground. Pet friendly with plenty of area to walk. Close to I-95 and 15 minutes from the beach. fishing areas for the kids. Spots are well organized and no issues with hookups. Propane is available at the store.
GuideSears 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!
GuideThe actual beach isn't too nice; not soft sand, broken shells, and cigarettes. However, the campgrounds have nice facilities like a shop, good showers, a playground, and volleyball courts. Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this.
GuideWhile the Farm at Carter Hill offers a truly unique experience, it's important to note that this is a boondocking campsite. There are no electric or water hookups available for RVs. This might not be a concern for those well-prepared for self-sufficiency, but it's worth planning ahead to ensure you have enough power and water for your stay. The campsite is set up for easy in and out, making it a great option for RVers looking for a convenient overnight stop.
The farm boasts a prime location, just minutes away from the bustling junction of Interstate 91 and 84. Travelers seeking a quick and easy layover, this campsite proves to be a gem. The proximity to major highways makes it incredibly convenient to reach, whether you're passing through the area or looking for a unique spot to spend the night.
What sets the Farm at Carter Hill apart is the immersive farm experience it offers. My kids interacted with farm goats, ducks, and chickens, the farm provides an opportunity for a hands-on encounter. Feeding and petting the animals was a highlight, and our kids were absolutely enthralled by the experience.
The night we stayed, the farm played host to several live blues bands, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere. Food and drinks were also available and ensured that we had everything we needed for an enjoyable evening. It's worth checking ahead to see if any events are scheduled during your stay.
LegendI had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground. They divide the loops with names. I unfortunately chose Pequot. This loop has THE WORST bathrooms/showers on the South side of the campground. Looks like they were built in 1950s with rotten wood siding. Dirty. The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses.
My first impression of this campground is it's loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road. I actually liked it! This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards,roller blades. Watch your speed! They don't always watch out for your car.
I found out most people stay through Sunday & leave on Monday. There were still lots of campers left. Lots of tent campers.
I chose site 14 on the Pequot Loop because I thought I would have a view of one of the ponds. There was tall vegetation, so that was out.
The sites on the other side of the loop were right by the main beach road. Noisy during the day, but quiet at night.
There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny.
There's no electricity at most of the sites. Our site was full sun(yay for the solar panel!). On Beach Road in the campground there's 2 rows of full hookup sites, but they go FAST! I tried.
NO PETS! Including dogs.
No WiFi, but there's cell service. At least 5 dump stations.
The beach was popular.
There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in.
They have a beautiful Nature Center. A couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves.
This was a good base camp for the area. Gillette Castle & other state parks are within driving distance. Connecticut is a beautiful state!!
RangerMy 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.
Rangerthis place seemed okay to begin with, but then you start noticing that the bathrooms are run down and not well kept, the lots are near an expressway that constantly has loud traffic, and there are tons of feral cats wandering and sometimes even begging for food. i probably would like to find a different place to stay during my next visit
RangerThe North Shore and South Shore are pretty different. This site gives you the North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water. Lots of other nice state parks in the area plus all the usual Long Island attractions (Riverhead Aquarium, Greek restaurants, farmer's markets, etc.). Swimming, long walks on the beach, shady camp sites, pine barrens and hardwood forest to explore, lots of deer, pretty good birding. You have to buy a stargazing permit to be out on the beach after sunset, which is kind of strange but really helps prevent hooligans from taking over the beach and destroying the serenity. Among the most modern bathrooms I've seen at a State Park campground. Nice clean campground with the usual NY State Park quality. Some accessible facilities, including swimming and camping. A great place to break up the suburban wasteland lifestyle that is much of Long Island!
Suffolk County offers several pet-friendly campgrounds within a short drive from Riverhead. Most campgrounds sit amid the pine barrens ecosystem that dominates central and eastern Long Island, with sandy soil and scrub pine vegetation. Summer camping temperatures average 75-85°F during the day, dropping to 60-65°F at night.
Paddling at Sears Bellows County Park: The park features Bellows Pond where visitors can rent rowboats for water activities. "I rented a rowboat, and used that for a large part of the morning. They also have some kayaks available to rent as well," notes Kari M. about Sears Bellows County Park.
Wine country access: The North Fork wine region starts just outside Riverhead. "It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound," writes James O. about Wildwood State Park Campground.
Geocaching adventures: Several parks offer geocaching opportunities for tech-savvy treasure hunters. "There were hiking trails and geocaching on site," reports Janelle G. about her stay at Indian Island County Park.
Beach access at Smith Point: Located on a barrier island with both ocean and bay sides. "Our 36ft motorhome backed up to a raised balcony overlooking the bay. Less than 100 feet from the front of our site was the beach and the Atlantic Ocean view," shares Patrick C. about Smith Point County Park.
Hiking options near Riverhead: Multiple parks offer hiking trails through pine barrens. "The campground is very well kept and clean which I really liked. The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. The next morning we got up and did some hiking," writes Nadia V. about Sears Bellows.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Local fauna includes deer that frequent campsites. "You get visits from the nearby deer. It is paradise," mentions Tim M. about Smith Point County Park.
Green Key requirements: Most Suffolk County parks require a county Green Key card for camping. "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," explains Fernando C. about Suffolk County Sears Bellows County Park.
Tick concerns: The pine barrens ecosystem harbors ticks throughout the camping season. "I cannot walk ANYWHERE without picking up ticks. Even on the large sand paths, going to and from the bathroom I find ticks," warns Denis S. about Suffolk County Sears Bellows.
Fire ring policies: Some parks do not provide fire rings with campsites. "A little bit of a bummer on the rental for a firepit but the bathrooms are big and spacious," mentions Megan B. about Wildwood State Park.
Playground access: Many parks feature playgrounds for children. "The playground is really nice and big has a lot of slides," notes Gino D. about Cathedral Pines County Park.
Wildlife education: Smith Point offers wildlife encounters safe for children. "Kids were roaming freely and safe! Some sites were large and loud, but I hope that was only exceptional nights!" shares Ossama B. about Wildwood State Park.
Water shoes requirement: The North Shore beaches often feature rocky shorelines requiring foot protection. "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful!" advises Ossama B.
Electric hookup availability: Some parks offer limited electric sites. "Was a pretty spacious park, very quiet, nice people, but not very many electric sites," reports Junior D. about Cathedral Pines County Park.
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "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," shares Janelle G. about Indian Island County Park.
Site selection for larger rigs: Smith Point offers waterfront sites suitable for motorhomes. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," notes Lori R. about Wildwood State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Riverhead, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Riverhead, NY is Wildwood State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
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