Camping sites near Seaford, New York offer access within 20-40 minutes to beaches along Long Island's Atlantic coast. Most campgrounds in this suburban region are set within county and state parks that offer an accessible escape from urban areas without requiring long-distance travel. Visitors should note that most campsites near Seaford require advance booking, with weekends often filling up 2-3 months in advance during peak summer season.
What to do
Hiking trails at Blydenburgh County Park: Located about 30 minutes from Seaford, the park features a 7-mile loop around the lake with fishing opportunities. "The hiking trails were quiet natural and and clean. The trails I exposed were well marked," according to one camper at Blydenburgh County Park.
Beach access at Heckscher State Park: The park offers direct beach access, though swimming is prohibited at the campground beach. A visitor to Heckscher State Park Campground noted, "You can bike into the beach; you can also drive to the beach. There are also hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak."
Historical exploration: Visit nearby Bear Mountain State Park, accessible from Harriman State Park. "A quick 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond, is Bear Mountain State Park. Here you can find some of the Appalachian Trail, with various smaller trail heads for this historic (Revolutionary Times 1770s) part of the region including the one to Doodle Town."
What campers like
Proximity to NYC with natural settings: Many campgrounds near Seaford provide a quick escape from the city. A camper at Beaver Pond Campground shared, "About 30 minutes from sleepy hollow and tarrytown NY and only an hour to central park!! Deer running everywhere and surprisingly beautiful and quaint."
Beachfront camping options: Locations like Watch Hill on Fire Island offer coastal camping experiences. A visitor to Watch Hill Fire Island Campground commented, "Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean."
Space between sites at select campgrounds: While some campgrounds have tight spacing, others offer more privacy. At Battle Row, "Each site is set back off a common area so there is plenty of privacy. It's great if your local easy in and out," according to a recent visitor.
What you should know
Noise levels vary significantly: Many Long Island campgrounds stay busy, especially on weekends. At Nickerson Beach Park Campground, one camper noted it's "all but impossible to get an RV spot there from Memorial day to Labor day. Still, it is a clean and well run campground."
Insect preparation essential: Mosquitoes can be particularly aggressive at coastal sites. A Watch Hill camper warned, "We couldn't even enjoy our meals at camp because it was that bad. Def bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!!!"
Varying bathroom quality: Facilities range from well-maintained to problematic. A Beaver Pond visitor praised, "Free Hot showers in the bathrooms, with plenty of room to change," while others at different campgrounds reported less pleasant conditions.
Fire regulations differ by location: Not all campgrounds permit ground fires. At Battle Row, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. A visitor to Battle Row Campground mentioned, "The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids."
Entertainment options: Some parks offer scheduled activities during summer months. One Heckscher visitor reported, "On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground."
Beachfront alternatives: When campgrounds are booked, consider day trips to beaches from nearby accommodations. At Nickerson Beach, "The beach itself is a great place to spend a summer day and I have gone several times. They recently installed a path that goes all the way down to the beach area."
Tips from RVers
Navigation challenges: Long Island's parkway system creates routing difficulties for RVs due to height restrictions. A camper at Nickerson Beach warned, "I drove down from Connecticut to Long Island to find the main routes to the campsite all went through New York's parkways. There are height restrictions on the parkways so RVs and semis cannot travel on them."
Limited hookup options: Most campgrounds offer partial hookups only. At Sandy Hook — Gateway National Recreation Area, "The campground is rustic with no showers or electricity. Tenting only, with all gear needing to be carried to the site."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for RV sites during peak season. A Nickerson Beach visitor advised, "This is basically a parking lot but right on the other side of the dunes is Lido Beach. Which is fantastic for surfing. There is an indoor bathroom/shower room that is open here for 3 seasons too."
