Wildwood State Park Campground sits on the North Shore of Long Island, offering 600 acres of undeveloped forest with camping options near the Long Island Sound. The park maintains 70 platform sites for tenters seeking a more stable surface. Winter weather typically ranges from 20-40°F while summer temperatures average 65-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Beach activities on Long Island Sound: At Wildwood State Park Campground, the beach requires water shoes due to rocky terrain. "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful!" reports camper Ossama B.
Long Island attractions: The surrounding area offers diverse activities beyond swimming. "I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby," notes Giselle P. from Wildwood State Park.
Local exploration: Smith Point County Park provides access to both ocean and bay within walking distance. "Truly great spot. Amazing sites with plenty of room... Stayed on the bayside (site 30), which had a fantastic direct bay view. Literally steps to the beach," reports Gianna.
What campers like
Site layout options: At Wildwood State Park, campers appreciate the variety of site configurations. "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," explains Giselle P.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Safety ranks high for families at Smith Point County Park. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite... Kids of all ages are generally running and playing day and night in the loud and unreserved way they do," notes Ali O.
Wildlife encounters: Wildlife viewing adds to the glamping experience near St. James. "I watched a momma deer nursing two of her babies. This is paradise," says Patrick C. about Smith Point County Park, mentioning the sweet deer that visit the campground.
What you should know
Reservation timelines: Prime season books far in advance at these locations. Mountain Lakes Park offers yurt rentals for luxury glamping near St. James, with multiple lakes for recreation. "Mountain Lakes park is a great place to camp within driving distance from NYC. A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in," explains Ethan K.
No fire rings provided: Campers must bring their own fire containers at some locations. "Lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own," notes Ossama B. about Wildwood State Park.
Site privacy varies: Expect different levels of seclusion depending on location. "Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site, but this was an expensive place to 'camp'," explains Michael G. about his experience at Wildwood.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Indian Island County Park offers recreational facilities for children. "It's nice for kids they have an open field with a playground for kids. There are dog friendly which was very nice," shares Gino D.
Beach swimming considerations: Beach conditions vary across locations. "The beach is within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family. The bathrooms were mostly clean, and the shower was hot," reports Maxime T. about Indian Island County Park.
Entertainment options: Some glamping sites offer organized activities. At Riverdale Farm Campsites, "They did a show on the beach one night that was fun too. We did bingo too," shares Nick H.
Tips from RVers
Site types and hookups: RV sites include different levels of service across parks. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares Lori R. about Wildwood State Park Campground.
Accessibility for large rigs: Consider size limitations when bringing larger RVs. "Most of the roads are paved, the sites are large and level, there are full hookups, and a dump station. There are a lot of seasonal residents, but still plenty of open sites for travelers," notes Joel R. about Riverdale Farm Campsites.
Vehicle restrictions: Some locations limit vehicles per site. "Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles," reports Giselle P. from her Wildwood State Park experience.
