Camping near Shelter Island requires crossing a ferry to reach many locations, with Long Island Sound on the north side and Gardiner's Bay on the south. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F with occasional humidity spikes, while early fall brings comfortable temperatures with fewer crowds. Campgrounds in this area commonly enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM.
What to do
Beachfront activities: At Hither Hills State Park Campground, campers can enjoy swimming and fishing along the shore. "Great place to run and also ride a road bike in the mornings. Few stores close by so you don't really need to bring raw food," notes Ron L.
Nature exploration: Cedar Point County Park offers hiking trails leading to the historic lighthouse. "We went on Labor Day weekend and literally every site was booked, but for good reason. Really great and surprisingly long hike to the old lighthouse with lots of area for playing games and swimming," says Maggie K.
Cultural excursions: Take a day trip to nearby vineyards and farm stands on the North Fork, accessible within a 20-minute drive from many campgrounds. "Stayed in May, June, and November 2023. The location is its best feature. Village Pizza is remarkably good," shares Nancy M. about her experience at Hither Hills State Park Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Rocky Neck State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses. "The campsite is only a short walk from the beach and available mountain bike and hiking trails. A great family campsite with easy to get to activities," mentions Mauricio R.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Hammonasset State Park Campground offers spacious sites and organized activities. "Beautiful Connecticut beach sits just steps away from your campsite. Well kept showers and bathrooms are abundant and the camp store has the majority of what you need. You can ride your bike from your site to the playground, store, beach, local ice cream shop, coffee shop, or our family favorite, meig's point nature center," reports Tiffany T.
Waterfront views: Many campers appreciate the direct beach access available at several campgrounds. "Nice campground was a bit crowded and not much shade but the short walk to the beach made it worth it. Store is a bit distanced from most sites, bathrooms are run of the mill but centrally located. Bugs weren't too bad in July," explains Stephanie S. about her stay at Hammonasset.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer weekends, especially at popular state parks. "Great place to camp, need to reserve about 1 year in advance when I went to reserve it," advises Lou R. about Hither Hills.
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. "The campgrounds are clean and spacious but very open, being a beach there are a few campers who enjoy staying up quite late and listening to music. I don't mind the noise but the nats (little black flies) make it nearly impossible to enjoy an evening," shares Bianca M. about her Hammonasset experience.
Weather considerations: Coastal locations experience occasional strong storms, particularly in late summer. "I've been there during a full on thunderstorm and watched as the trees swayed in the wind," recounts Giselle P. about Wildwood State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach safety: Bring water shoes for rocky shorelines at north shore beaches. "Beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful! Kids were roaming freely and safe!" advises Ossama B. about Wildwood State Park.
Activity planning: Schedule morning adventures during summer to avoid afternoon heat. "The camp sites are close to each other with little to no privacy but everyone in our area was nice. There's a ton of family's with kids," notes Megan B. about her Hither Hills experience.
Bug protection: Pack insect repellent, especially for evening activities. "The bathgrounds are kept tidy including the baths and showers. I was pleasantly surprised. The best part of this campground was the proximity to the state beach via a well kept hiking trail," says Nita D. about her stay at Niantic KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer partial hookups, with full hookups more limited. "Stayed for 3 nights, if we had time, would've stay longer. Amazing sunset scene. We enjoyed mid August staying for 3 nights," reports Ossama B. about Hammonasset State Park Campground.
Site size considerations: Check site dimensions when booking for larger rigs. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," shares Lori R. about her Wildwood State Park experience.
Water access: Many RV sites require filling tanks upon arrival. "Generator hours are limited. There are spigots located down the middle of the rows. Go on google maps to find a spot near a spigot," advises Nancy M. about Hither Hills.
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