Suffolk County provides several camping spots near Sayville, New York, with options ranging from beachfront experiences to wooded forest settings. The eastern Long Island region features a mix of county, state, and national park campgrounds accessible within a 30-40 minute drive from Sayville proper. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions with fewer insects.
What to do
Hiking trails and lake activities: At Blydenburgh County Park, campers can explore a 7-mile loop trail around the lake. "The hiking trails were quiet natural and clean. The trails I exposed were well marked," notes one visitor. The park offers fishing opportunities without swimming access, as one camper mentioned: "Lake is great and only a short walk, but no swimming."
Beach access from campgrounds: Smith Point County Park provides direct beach access from campsites. "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite," according to one reviewer. Sites near the water offer exceptional convenience: "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."
Backcountry beach camping: For a more secluded experience, Fire Island National Seashore offers backcountry camping opportunities. "You can get a permit to backcountry camp instead of reserving a designated campground spot. Just walk down to the beach after check-in and walk east until you see a pole with a tent symbol on it," explains one visitor. These remote sites require preparation as they're "about a mile to three miles to the closest campsites on the western side."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Cathedral Pines County Park offers secluded camping in a forested setting. "Wooded sites are lovely," notes one camper, while another adds it's "a pretty spacious park, very quiet, nice people." The park provides a contrast to more open campgrounds in the area with its natural surroundings.
Beachfront views: Smith Point County Park receives praise for its oceanfront location. "Lovely campsite... Truly great spot. Amazing sites with plenty of room, though they are close together. But was worth it for the amenities and fantastic views," reports one camper. Another visitor describes it as "paradise" with "our 36ft motorhome backed up to a raised balcony overlooking the bay."
Group camping spaces: Heckscher State Park Campground provides excellent group camping opportunities. One reviewer notes "This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun." The park's open layout makes it suitable for larger gatherings.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly at Watch Hill Fire Island Campground. "It was absolutely gorgeous, don't get me wrong. However, it was nearly impossible to enjoy ourselves because we were getting attacked by mosquitoes and horseflies the entire weekend," cautions one camper. Another visitor recommends: "Def bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!!!"
Fire pit requirements: Several parks don't provide fire rings or pits. At Wildwood State Park Campground, "it's lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own." Battle Row Campground has similar rules: "There are NO fire pits, you must bring your own. Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground."
Transportation logistics: For certain camping areas, ferry transportation is required. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground is accessible only via boat: "You can get there by ferry. Very quiet and comfortable." Plan accordingly for equipment transportation as one visitor noted it's "a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Southaven County Park offers family-friendly amenities including playground facilities. "Perfect place to take the little ones has a beautiful lake and a really nice playground highly recommended," shares one camper. The park balances natural settings with recreational facilities suitable for children.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds offer opportunities for wildlife viewing. At Smith Point County Park, "you get visits from the nearby deer" and "I watched a momma deer nursing two of her babies." These natural encounters can be educational experiences for children while maintaining appropriate distance.
Ice cream amenities: Multiple campgrounds feature seasonal ice cream service. Smith Point provides a "general store, complete with an ice cream shop window" while at Heckscher State Park "the ice cream trucks comes by as well." This small amenity can be particularly appealing for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Blydenburgh County Park offers varied site options for different camping preferences. "Camp on grass! Lovely trees. Everyone is nice," notes one RVer. The park provides both wooded and more open sites: "Group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over."
RV site configurations: Cathedral Pines County Park offers both wooded sites and open RV areas: "RV sites in large field." As one camper noted, the park is "not very many electric sites" but still provides "a pleasant experience" for those with recreational vehicles seeking a quieter setting than oceanfront locations.
RV equipment requirements: Suffolk County campgrounds have specific site regulations. Smith Point County Park enforces these rules strictly: "The park police are a bunch of over masculine jerks and take their duty a little too far with the drinking." Review site specifications before booking as one camper mentioned certain locations are "good campground for beach... Sites are great overlooking the bay."
