Glamping in Wading River, New York blends coastal camping with Long Island's distinct north shore terrain. The Long Island Sound shoreline features rocky beaches and bluffs reaching 40-60 feet high along parts of the coastline. Fall camping brings temperatures ranging from 45-65°F with colorful foliage, while summer months average 75-85°F with higher humidity near the water.
What to do
Beach activities: Wildwood State Park Campground offers direct access to Long Island Sound beaches for swimming and fishing. "The North Shore and South Shore are pretty different. This site gives you the North Shore experience with high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water," notes one camper.
Long Island wine country: Easy access to local vineyards makes glamping in Wading River ideal for wine enthusiasts. "My wife and I love this campground. It is right at the entrance to wine country on Long Island and has a beach on the Long Island Sound. (A little rocky on the north shore)," shares a visitor at Wildwood State Park.
Geocaching and hiking: Multiple trail systems offer various difficulty levels within walking distance of campsites. "There were hiking trails and geocaching on site," mentions a camper at Indian Island County Park, highlighting activities beyond beach time.
What campers like
Convenient location: Most glamping sites near Wading River provide easy access to regional attractions. "Lovely campground with lots of activities to entertain you. There are lots of stores nearby as well as orchards to pick your own fruits. I stayed there one weekend and went to Splish Splash waterpark that's not far away," a Wildwood State Park visitor shares.
Wildlife viewing: The coastal environment attracts diverse bird species and wildlife. "Swimming, long walks on the beach, shady camp sites, pine barrens and hardwood forest to explore, lots of deer, pretty good birding," reports a visitor about the natural attractions at Smith Point County Park.
Sunrise and sunset views: Campsites positioned near the water offer exceptional sunrise and sunset viewing. "The walk to the beach area was very serene, especially early morning before sunrise and didn't feel like we live in dense suburbia and sunrise from the beach was worth the trip," notes a visitor to Indian Island County Park.
What you should know
Booking requirements: Many glamping facilities require advance reservations, particularly seasonal sites. "This is not our ideal campground. We usually like to be far from people with minimal neighbors, but living on L.I., your options are limited. That said, the sites close to water are nice. They offer more to see and feel a little more like camping," explains a visitor to Indian Island County Park.
Fire pit policies: Fire pit rules vary by location. "Lame not having a fire ring, you have to rent one or bring your own," notes one camper about Wildwood State Park, while another mentions: "The only reason I gave 4 stars is because the campsites don't come with a fire ring. Not sure if this is because of maintenance, but it just wasn't super apparent until we got there."
Bathroom facilities: Bathroom and shower quality differs significantly between sites. "Bathrooms and showers were a good size. Rangers were driving around often but had no issues with drink in red cups," shares a visitor at Riverdale Farm Campsites, a short drive from Wading River.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer playground facilities for children. "It's nice for kids they have an open field with a playground for kids. There are dog friendly which was very nice," notes a visitor to Indian Island County Park about the family-friendly amenities.
Regulated swimming areas: Beaches with designated swimming areas provide safer options for families. "There are a lot of seasonal residents, but still plenty of open sites for travelers. There is a playground, game room, 'adult' lounge, a laundry, a swimming pond, and river access for fishing and swimming," explains a visitor at Rocky Neck State Park Campground.
Consider site location: Sites closer to amenities make family camping more convenient. "Every campsite has its own fire pit with a grill attachment and a picnic table. My site was tent only and you couldn't pull your car up to the site so unloading and loading was a hassle. Beach is a short drive on site and the showers were one site over," shares a Rocky Neck State Park camper.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Several sites offer pull-through options ideal for larger rigs. "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities," reports an RVer who stayed at Wildwood State Park.
Hookup variations: Water and electric hookups are standard, but sewer connections are limited. "Very well maintained and friendly staff will stay again when in the area. Does not have sewer hookups, but does have a dump station," notes a visitor at Lake Compounce Campground, which is within driving distance of the Wading River area.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary in privacy and spacing. "Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site, but this was an expensive place to 'camp'," explains one RVer about their Wildwood State Park experience, highlighting the trade-off between convenience and rustic atmosphere common in glamping sites around Wading River.
