RV camping near Riverhead, New York offers convenient access to both Long Island's North and South Forks. Located at the mouth of the Peconic River, Riverhead serves as the eastern gateway to wine country, with campgrounds typically open from April through October. Summer temperatures range from 70-85°F while spring and fall can dip to 50-65°F with occasional rain, making weather considerations important for planning.
What to do
Wine tasting tours: Visit vineyards along the North Fork, just 15-20 minutes from most Riverhead rv parks. "You are close to downtown, the aquarium, Mystic Seaport and other attractions," notes a camper at Sun Outdoors Mystic.
Beach access: Smith Point County Park offers immediate ocean access. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," reports a visitor, adding that "the 230-70 [sites] overlook the ocean which is great."
Historic sites: Explore Fort Trumbull near Crocker's Boatyard, where a camper mentioned they "walked to Fort Trumbull" and noted it was "a very nice place to visit and learn."
Water activities: Launch kayaks at nearby boat ramps. One Rocky Neck State Park visitor shared, "One day we launched our kayaks north of the drawbridge in town at the public launch and paddled down to Mystic Seaport which was fun to see the historic boats from the water."
What campers like
Waterfront views: Several campgrounds offer direct water views. At Smith Point County Park, a camper described how their "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."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are important to campers. At Rocky Neck State Park, visitors note the showers are "best ever... great water pressure and super HOT!!!"
Level campsites: Concrete pads at Aces High RV Park receive positive comments: "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio (I love a clean, level concrete pad!)."
Wildlife viewing: Unexpected animal encounters enhance the experience. At Smith Point, one camper mentioned "you get visits from the nearby deer" and another wrote "I watched a momma deer nursing two of her babies."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance bookings, especially during peak season. For Smith's Point, one visitor advised to "be prepared for narrow campsites and book early."
Residency restrictions: Some Suffolk County parks limit non-resident access. At Smith Point County Park, a camper noted "ONLY DRAWBACKS, 1- YOU HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF SUFFOLK CO, NY, 2- ONE WEEK STAY AT A TIME. PERIOD."
Site privacy varies: Check site maps before booking. At North Fork Cottages & RV Resort, the configuration means "there were tons of campers that were there for the season and kids playing together."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds have varying noise policies. A Smith's Point visitor cautioned that "since it so tight, people failed to respect their neighbors as far as noise is concerned. Not EVERYBODY likes the same music as you do!"
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Swimming pools offer kid-friendly alternatives to beaches. A visitor to Crocker's Boatyard appreciated "being able to use their pool with our grandchildren was great."
Campground activities: Some parks provide additional entertainment. One Cathedral Pines County Park camper mentioned "Usually every site has a decent fire pit/grill. Usually quiet, occasional deer."
Security considerations: Take precautions with valuables. A Smith's Point camper warned, "please lock up your bikes cause high schoolers will go over the bridge and steal you bikes or alcohol if they aren't locked up at night. It's happened to me."
Food storage: Wildlife may access unsecured food. At Cathedral Pines, a visitor advised "Be sure to lock food away as the raccoons are pretty invasive."
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Most Riverhead area rv parks provide water and electric hookups. An Aces High visitor noted "Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)."
Site configurations: Buddy sites work well for group camping. A Sun Outdoors Mystic camper explained, "We camped here with friends and got one of the 'buddy sites' so our patios faced each other. I like this configuration when camping with friends but would not like this site if we did not know our neighbors."
RV accessibility: Site sizes vary between campgrounds. At Aces High, a visitor appreciated that "Pull through sites also have lots of space between them so you don't feel like you are on top of the neighbors."
Seasonal considerations: Some amenities close during shoulder seasons. A Sun Outdoors Mystic camper mentioned "Our stay was in the spring before their busy season started so some things like the pool and water features were closed."
