Tent campsites near Stony Brook, New York range from coastal options along the Atlantic to woodland settings in county parks. The region sits at the transition between the coastal plain of Long Island and the more elevated terrain of the mainland, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F. During peak season from May through September, campers must reserve sites well in advance as availability becomes limited, especially at sites with water access.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: At Croton Point Park, campers have access to a private beach that operates Wednesday through weekend with lifeguards on duty. "A gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails," notes one visitor, who adds there are "no issues of mosquitoes" in this area.
Model airplane flying: Croton Point Park maintains a dedicated airfield for model airplane enthusiasts. "They have a model airplane air field and a decent playground for young kids," explains a camper who found the park suitable for group activities.
Wildlife observation: Numerous small mammals inhabit the camping areas. Battle Row Campground features "tons of feral cats wandering and sometimes even begging for food," according to one camper's report. At Croton Point Park, campers should "keep your food in the dry bag and away from the tent or benches provided or face the packs of fearless racoons at night."
What campers like
Park accessibility: Battle Row Campground offers convenient access for local residents. "I have lived 6 miles from this campground for the last 20 years and never knew they had tent sites. The park is clean the bathrooms are well maintained and there is a playground for the kids," reports a camper who appreciated the ease of camping close to home.
Lean-to options: Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features permanent lean-to structures at many sites. "Beautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them," shares one camper, noting that "our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to."
Yurt rentals: For those seeking alternatives to traditional tent camping, Mountain Lakes Park provides yurt accommodations. "A fun option available at Mountain lakes is to rent a yurt to camp in. The area, as the name implies, is home to several lakes which can be used for various recreational purposes," explains a visitor who camped there after a rainstorm.
What you should know
Reservation procedures: Some campgrounds have specific booking requirements. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation requires in-person reservations. "The one downside is that you need to book in person but it can be done well in advance if need be," explains a regular visitor.
Fire restrictions: Open fires are prohibited at Fire Island National Seashore, which can affect cooking plans. "The only disappointments were that there are no campfires allowed and no dogs, but it's very understandable why. The park and is protected which is the only reason it has stayed beautiful all this time," notes a camper who hiked in to a beach site.
Water access: Many tent sites lack immediate water access. Battle Row Campground layout places utilities away from tent areas. "The water spigot and the gray-water dump are not right by the tent sites. Seems silly since the tents are the ones using them," explains one camper who stayed at site #59.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds include facilities specifically for children. At Croton Point Park, there is a "playground within sight of our camper," which helped create a "peaceful visit" according to one family. Another camper mentioned the "playground is new and centrally located" at Battle Row Campground.
Program opportunities: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground offers structured activities for younger visitors. "There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids," reports a camper who gave the location four stars despite encountering numerous mosquitoes.
Beach accessibility: Consider distance to water when camping with children. At Watch Hill, campers enjoy "amazing, your own ocean and beach! You are not quite roughing it as there are showers and running water at the Watchhill campground," though reservations are "highly recommended!"
Tips from RVers
Site orientation: At Croton Point Park, the RV section has a specific layout worth noting. "The FHU sites were back-to-back and although there were trees separating the sites, they were close together," describes one RVer who found the sites level but close to neighboring campers.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds have unusual booking processes for RV sites. "[Croton Point Park] reservation process is a bit wonky. You need to call (no online reservations) and then wait for an e-mail, but the e-mail does not tell you your assigned site; you have to wait until you check in to find out your site," explains an RVer who rated the park 3 stars.
