Best Campgrounds near Southold, NY

Camping options on Long Island's North Fork near Southold include multiple established campgrounds with mixed-use facilities supporting tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. North Fork Cottages & RV Resort and McCann Campground in Greenport provide convenient access to the area, while Suffolk County and New York state parks offer waterfront camping experiences within reasonable driving distance. Most campgrounds feature standard amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, with many sites accepting both tent and RV campers.

Suffolk County parks require a Green Key card for entry, and advance reservations are strongly recommended during the peak summer season when facilities reach capacity. "We had a great time at Indian Island, even if it was just for a short stay. The beach was within walking distance, lots of little trails, and plenty of activities for the whole family," noted one visitor describing the county park experience. Most campgrounds operate seasonally between April and October, with limited year-round options. Weather conditions remain mild throughout the camping season, though summer weekends can be crowded, especially at waterfront locations.

Proximity to beaches represents the primary attraction for most campers visiting the Southold area. Cedar Point County Park offers multiple recreation opportunities including hiking to a historic lighthouse, swimming, and kayaking access points. According to reviews, campers appreciate the natural setting despite the relatively close spacing of campsites at most facilities. Several visitors mentioned clean facilities and well-maintained grounds as positives, though tick exposure presents a seasonal concern at some wooded campgrounds. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds enhance the experience at county parks, while RV-specific features such as dump stations and various hookup configurations accommodate different camping styles and equipment needs.

Best Camping Sites Near Southold, New York (81)

    1. Hammonasset State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (203) 245-1817

    $20 - $70 / night

    "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."

    "This campsite is near the shore in my home state of CT. It took a little over an hour to get here. Our spot was near a large salt marsh."

    2. Rocky Neck State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-1339

    "The beach is about a 1 mile walk or drive from the campground.  The walk is lovely and I have seen deer, turkeys, many birds, skunks, raccoons, and other wildlife along the way."

    "Located right off I95 ( which you can hear at times), the park is convenient to all the major interstates and state roads."

    3. Indian Island County Park

    10 Reviews
    Riverhead, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-3232

    "Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."

    "The beach was 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."

    4. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "The beach is in a walking distance. You can swim or fish there. This camp site has a relatively new and clean facility. There are many farms near by where you can get fresh veggies and fruits."

    "However there are too many loud families and the sites are too close in proximity for me."

    5. Hither Hills State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Montauk, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 668-2554

    $33 / night

    "Drawback is 10 minute walk to the general store/ranger station and 5 minutes to the beach (10 to swimming area). Almost no cell service! 2 bars was the maximum and finding that was rare."

    "Hither Hills campground is clean, well run and is just one dune away from an incredible stretch of beach."

    6. North Fork Cottages & RV Resort

    3 Reviews
    Greenport, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 477-0022

    7. McCann Campground

    1 Review
    Greenport, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 477-0043

    8. Cedar Point County Park

    3 Reviews
    Sag Harbor, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-7620

    $10 - $26 / night

    "Bathhouse with showers and dishwashing was close by. Plenty of space to walk and hike out to the lighthouse, kayak, biking or just relax. Will be next year!"

    "We have walked in and book a site. Twice though in June we had tons of ticks 😬 but overall is a good site!"

    9. Riverdale Farm Campsites

    11 Reviews
    Clinton, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 669-5388

    "The lake is perfect, the river needs work. But this an awesome small campground. The kids who work here are so friendly and the playground is nice."

    "Sites are very close to one another. Level pull through site. Quit in the evening!"

    10. Niantic KOA

    13 Reviews
    South Lyme, CT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 739-9308

    "Close to level parking pad, with table and very nice brick firepit. Sites not too close together. I had woods behind me. I would definitely camp here again."

    "This KOA Niantic CT location is about 2 hours from home. It was the perfect place (not far from home) to practice.  "

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Recent Reviews near Southold, NY

486 Reviews of 81 Southold Campgrounds


  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Green Falls Campground

    Inexpensive and primitive

    We like Green Falls. Again, it is inexpensive and kinda primitive, but it sure also quiet and a real woods camping environment. Take a hike around the pond, fish and swim in season, and enjoy a laid back approach to your time here.

  • Sue B.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Great spot for no frills camping

    We loved Mt. Misery. We spent $17/night, and we know what to expect at that price point. We stayed during fall foliage season and even though CT has had a drought this year, there were still pretty colors to see. We hiked to the overlook of Mt. Misery and had a great time geocaching and enjoying the trails. We found the campsites to be decent, and a number of them did afford privacy and space, we had 4 people and 3 dogs on our site, and had plenty of room for our travel trailer and 2 tents. We will be back here for sure.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great spot and good communication

    Was in town for the Elvis show. This was minutes from downtown definitely walkable. Will be back again!

  • Phillip H.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Mystic KOA

    KOA Mystic

    From the first interaction you see this KOA is customer focused. The staff is friendly, professional and helpful. The grounds are well maintained as are the facilities.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Burlingame State Park Campground

    Giant area to pick a spot!

    So half the camp ground is closed for bathroom renovations but that still left the whole other half open and the whole campground by the water! The showers aren’t good, but that always comes with coin showers and not being able to choose the temperature. Site wise no one was around us so it was extra quiet and the park rangers are always around so always help if you need it. Walmart is less than ten minutes away too if you’re needing anything. Great location and best park in Rhode Island. Can’t wait to go back and have the bathroom renovations done!

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Mount Misery Campground

    Lived up to its name

    Sites/facilities were as expected and I could have been very satisfied with our 1 night stay.  There are a lot of rules for camping here, which is confusing because there does not appear to be anyone to enforce them.  Late arrivals? Noise? I suspect that the couple who pulled into the site next to ours after 10PM with two cars and an infant are homeless and poached the site.  They were not there for the hiking or the camping experience and their infant child screamed or babbled through most of the night.  That plus the adults talking, car doors opening and closing, engine running, baby einstein videos playing...  In the morning they packed up and left.  I'm not an advocate of criminalizing homelessness, but if you are looking for a night in the woods listening to crickets and owls, this is not the place.

  • j
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Crocker's Boatyard

    Great!

    Great spot with view of harbor, a pool, bathroom and power if needed. Easy to book, good location- near many places of interest.

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Niantic KOA

    I mean wow!!

    So much going on! They will give free shuttle rides to 3 beaches & downtown Niantic, CT.

    We had tried to get a deluxe location and not completely booked. This is the weekend before Labor Day and they were vanishing point the owner / shuttle driver, John, asked us if we would want to move on Sunday after a bunch of people moved out. And we said absolutely because we're going to be here for 3 more nights.

    And it is huge and amazing! If you want to pay a little extra for the deluxe request slot 92!


Guide to Southold

Camping near Southold, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Many campgrounds are close to the beach. For example, at Rocky Neck State Park Campground, campers enjoy a short walk to the beach without any extra fees. One reviewer mentioned, "The beach area is large & very nice with outside showers for rinsing off the beach sand."

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the beautiful hiking trails nearby. A visitor at Kettletown State Park Campground noted, "The shorter hiking trails in the area were really beautiful," making it a great spot for nature lovers.

  • Water Activities: Many campgrounds offer water activities. At Wilderness Lake Park, guests can enjoy kayaking and swimming. One camper shared, "The lake was nice for kayaking."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean bathrooms and showers. A reviewer at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground said, "Bathrooms are very nice," highlighting the campground's commitment to cleanliness.
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors mention the helpful staff. At Mystic KOA, a camper remarked, "Awesome staff, the perfect location, and clean bathrooms," which adds to the overall experience.
  • Family Activities: Campgrounds like Brialee Family Campground offer plenty of activities for kids. One family said, "The sand beach is great for the kids and there is always something going on."

What you should know:

  • Site Size and Privacy: Some campgrounds have close sites. A camper at Kettletown State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites were super close together," which might not be ideal for everyone.
  • Noise Levels: Be prepared for noise, especially on weekends. A visitor at Rocky Neck State Park Campground noted, "Lots of cars coming and going," which can disrupt the peace.
  • Reservation Recommendations: Booking in advance is crucial, especially during peak seasons. A family at Mystic KOA advised, "If you are looking for a site it’s best to book far in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan Activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled activities. At Strawberry Park, one camper said, "Lots of kids activities, friendly staff," making it a great choice for families.
  • Choose Shaded Sites: If camping in the summer, opt for shaded sites. A visitor at Brialee Family Campground mentioned, "The site we had was pretty small but it was shaded and it was hot so that was good."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along snacks and drinks, especially if the campground doesn’t have a store. A camper at Wilderness Lake Park appreciated the camp store, saying, "The camp store is large with plenty of stuff."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Levels: Make sure to choose a level site for easier parking. A reviewer at Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground noted, "Some sites are fairly level but not most of them."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground details. A camper at Mystic KOA mentioned, "The hookups worked fine with 50-amp electric."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: RVers should be aware of potential noise from nearby sites. A visitor at Odetah Camping Resort said, "The campground is nice and large. Very family oriented," but noted it can get busy.

Camping near Southold, New York, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. From beautiful beaches to family-friendly activities, there’s something for every camper to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Southold, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Southold, NY is Hammonasset State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 39 reviews.

What parks are near Southold, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Southold, NY that allow camping, notably Fire Island National Seashore and Hop Brook Lake.