Camping near Rockville Centre offers a mix of coastal and inland experiences within Nassau County and neighboring areas. The terrain consists mainly of flat to gently rolling coastal plains, with elevations rarely exceeding 200 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the region are operational from April through November, with July and August temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 65-70°F at night.
What to do
Beach access and swimming: Nickerson Beach Park Campground features direct beach access where campers can enjoy Atlantic Ocean swimming with lifeguard protection during summer months. "Right on the beach! Great spot to camp at if the waves are pumping at Lido Beach on Long Island," notes Michael K.
Hiking trails: Heckscher State Park Campground offers several short hiking trails with the longest being 2.5 miles. A camper mentions, "There are several short hiking trails that are fairly well-marked but can be a bit confusing at times. Some sections of the trails were muddy due to swamps and bogs but passable."
Water recreation: Turkey Swamp Park provides lake activities including fishing, kayaking and canoeing. According to Dan W., "Boat rental rates are acceptable and there are four different styles to choose from. Plenty to do over a 2 night stay. Archery, boating, fishing, and hiking."
City exploration: Manhattan access is available from Liberty Harbor RV Park via ferry and train connections. Keith and Tia S. share, "This is all about location. The closest RV park to NYC. Pick one of the larger end row sites to get a little extra elbow room. Two blocks away from NJ Path train into Manhattan or take the ferry to Wall Street!"
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Turkey Swamp Park features generously sized wooded sites that provide privacy. Jean T. explains, "This campground has all pull-through sites. Nicely wooded with water and electric. Be sure to bring extra hose because the water spigot is a distance from the electric. Sites are level and well maintained."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain their restrooms and shower facilities regularly. At Beaver Pond Campground, campers appreciate the public amenities. "Full bathrooms and slop sinks throughout the campsite. The campsites are a bit close to one another but if you have a big group you can book several sites near each other," notes Kelvin.
Proximity to beaches: Coastal locations are a major draw for campers in the region. At Nickerson Beach Park Campground, "They recently installed a path that goes all the way down to the beach area so you don't have to walk on the sand for so long. There is also fantastic food in the area as well," says Ethan K.
Waterfront views: Some sites offer premium views of the water and city skyline. One camper at Military Park NJ National Guard Training Center RV Sites shares, "We stayed in site #1 with our 21' travel trailer. In our opinion this is the best site because you have an unobstructed view of Stockton Lake & the horizon over the ocean."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Rockville Centre require advance bookings, especially during summer months. Turkey Swamp Park sites fill quickly, and a camper notes, "The campground was only about 20% occupied when we were there at the end of April, so our stay was a quiet one."
Wildlife awareness: Several campgrounds have active wildlife populations including ticks and bears. At Battle Row Campground, campers report, "There are tons of feral cats wandering and sometimes even begging for food." Another camper at Turkey Swamp Park warns, "By the 2nd day I had 3 ticks on me. My dog had one and by the end my husband had 2."
Fire pit regulations: Policies on fires vary significantly between parks. At Heckscher State Park, "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."
Site selection strategy: At Liberty Harbor RV Park, proximity to other campers is a consideration. Joe R. advises, "Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas for children. Thorin J. notes about Heckscher State Park Campground, "The restroom building is in the middle of the campground and was clean and had plenty of stalls. Potable water is available at regular intervals, about at the corners of each group of four campsites."
Beach proximity planning: Families should consider distances between campsites and beaches. At Nickerson Beach Park Campground, one reviewer explains, "Campsite allows dogs, however, the beach does not. They have a small dog run on the other side of the large beach parking lot. Very clean, friendly employees."
Weather considerations: Summer camping near Rockville Centre often means high humidity and temperatures. A camper at Turkey Swamp Park reports, "We went camping with our 2- and 3-year-old kids. We were worried about bugs, but we didn't even use mosquito repellent and didn't get a single bite! The campground was super clean too."
Tips from RVers
Road restrictions: RV drivers must navigate parkway limitations when traveling to Long Island rv parks. Skyline RV Camp has specific access challenges, with John T. reporting, "Skyline RV Camp has moved to: 50 Noble St, Brooklyn, NY 11222. The original property location at 2 Oak St was sold and is now private property. There no longer is a waterfront view of the NYC skyline when camping at Skyline RV."
Hookup considerations: Most rv parks near Rockville Centre, New York offer varied hookup options. Jeffrey from NWS Earle RV Park advises, "Small campground W/ 8 spaces in the main area and 7 in an adjacent area. All spaces are level concrete With fill hookups and attached concrete patio. Power is at the far back & sewage is in the middle (left to right). A longer camper will be parked over the sewage connection."
Site leveling needs: Many campsites require minimal leveling. Jessica D. from Military Park NJ notes, "Sites are level and well maintained. They also allowed us to put the car tent on the same site as a friend's camper. There's a nice lake to kayak or paddle boat on. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table and garbage can."
