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Wildwood State Park Campground provides pet-friendly camping on the North Shore of Long Island with access to beaches along the Long Island Sound. Pets are allowed at all campsite types including tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Several other pet-friendly options exist in the area including Indian Island County Park, Southaven County Park, and Cathedral Pines County Park, all permitting dogs at their campsites. Campground facilities feature clean restrooms with showers, drinking water, and picnic tables at most sites. Fire rings are not provided at Wildwood State Park Campground but can be rented for $8 per day or campers can bring their own. Most camping areas maintain standard leash policies requiring dogs to be secured at all times. The sites vary in privacy levels with some offering more seclusion while others are closer together in open areas.
The beach at Wildwood State Park is accessible via a short paved downhill walk from the camping area. Dogs must remain leashed on beaches and trails throughout the area. The shoreline is rocky, so water shoes are recommended for both humans and pets when swimming. Multiple hiking trails wind through wooded areas, providing exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners. The campgrounds are generally well-maintained with regular bathroom cleaning and safety patrols. Nearby attractions include wineries, farms selling fresh produce, and the Riverhead Aquarium. Cathedral Pines County Park offers additional pet-friendly trails through pine forests. During peak season, campgrounds can become crowded and noisy, with some reviewers noting loud music from neighboring sites, so midweek visits may be preferable for those seeking quieter camping with pets.
"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."
from $20 - $225 / night
Check Availability"Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh. Multiple playgrounds for the kids although they were closed due to Covid."
"There are dog friendly which was very nice. It is a lil tight from each site but you have the beach and a little hiking trails that makes it worth it."
"Recently went camping in our pull behind, met some old friends and had a great time. Rangers have a hardon for people screwing up tho. Think they're all that and then some..."
"Great Location Clean Park."
from $33 / night
Check Availability"Literally steps to the beach."
"A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite. No shade so be prepared to wake early if you’re in a sweltering tent. Staff has been great, no complaints."
"The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses."
"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."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Is good for dogs to the trails are nice and big"
"This hidden gem is located right in Hampton Bays and is the perfect campground for anyone looking to camp off the grid."
"Beautiful location steps away from the beach. Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean. Not ready for full on camp-life? No problem!"
"Camping gets you away from the bustle. It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection. Take a quick walk down to the beach."
from $35 - $197 / night
Check Availability"Great park with a nice 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail. 30 or so sites around a central public restroom."
"Hiking trails are beautiful. Dog friendly. Clean bathrooms"
GuideI grew up in Long Beach. If you’re looking for a spot to camp so you can surf, this is perfect! It’s basically a parking lot, but it’s steps away from some of the greatest waves on the east coast. Showers are clean, there’s a dog park nearby, and the island is very bikable to get around.
benefits: allows dogs childrens playground beach programs like movie nights throughout the summer
ScoutVery nice family oriented, places the beach, which is great except for the birds watch out they come at you. They have a dog park basketball courts playground swimming just about everything.
GuideSmall campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table. There is a wonderful little frozen custard shop down the road called roses farm stand. It’s a perfect campground for seeing the local area or even catching the train to New York City.
TravelerClean, family friendly campground. Pet friendly with plenty of area to walk. Close to I-95 and 15 minutes from the beach. fishing areas for the kids. Spots are well organized and no issues with hookups. Propane is available at the store.
GuideSears Bellows in New York is a lot of fun. It really does offer a lot of outdoor activities for you and your family. I have stayed at this campsite 1 time, and stayed 2 nights. This campground does offer tent sites as well as RV/trailer sites. When I went with my friends in college, we just stayed in the tent sites and really enjoyed it. The campground is very well kept and clean which I really liked. They do have quite a bit of garbage's to dump your trash in. One thing I really liked about this campground is that there was a river/pond close by (Bellows Pond). The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap. The next morning we got up and did some hiking. The trails were beautiful, and the flowers were in bloom. There were people who were also biking on these trails, which looked like so much fun! We also saw some people fishing in the pond- and it seemed like most people were catching. The people who stayed in the campsite next to us were cooking up some type of fish for their dinner that they caught that day. One thing to note is that there are not any electrical hook-ups, so if that is something you need you might now want to come stay here. I would love to come back here someday, but stay maybe a day or two longer to do more things- I would also bring my bike and fishing pole to do more outdoor activities. I would also advise to rent the rowboats because that was a lot of fun!
GuideThe actual beach isn't too nice; not soft sand, broken shells, and cigarettes. However, the campgrounds have nice facilities like a shop, good showers, a playground, and volleyball courts. Be noted PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the summer. We were not aware of this.
ScoutBeautiful campsites! Lots of lean to sites with fireplaces in them. You have to go in person to make a reservation and pay. The camp area is beautiful, especially in the fall. Pet friendly and kid friendly with a playground available. Our favorite site is #25. Up a hill, totally private and has a lean-to.
LegendI had a hankering for East Coast seafood, so I picked Hammonesett Beach State Park for Connecticut. Our 2nd state of 5.
Hammonesett Beach has a huge campground. They divide the loops with names. I unfortunately chose Pequot. This loop has THE WORST bathrooms/showers on the South side of the campground. Looks like they were built in 1950s with rotten wood siding. Dirty. The showers were outside the bathroom- there was a bench & hooks OUTSIDE! We found out all the other loops had modern bathhouses.
My first impression of this campground is it's loud, crazy busy & there's traffic noise from the beach road. I actually liked it! This is a fun campground for families. There were kids on bikes, scooters, skateboards,roller blades. Watch your speed! They don't always watch out for your car.
I found out most people stay through Sunday & leave on Monday. There were still lots of campers left. Lots of tent campers.
I chose site 14 on the Pequot Loop because I thought I would have a view of one of the ponds. There was tall vegetation, so that was out.
The sites on the other side of the loop were right by the main beach road. Noisy during the day, but quiet at night.
There are some sites with shade, but most are sunny.
There's no electricity at most of the sites. Our site was full sun(yay for the solar panel!). On Beach Road in the campground there's 2 rows of full hookup sites, but they go FAST! I tried.
NO PETS! Including dogs.
No WiFi, but there's cell service. At least 5 dump stations.
The beach was popular.
There was a stream running from a pond that kids were playing in.
They have a beautiful Nature Center. A couple of easy hikes through one of the preserves.
This was a good base camp for the area. Gillette Castle & other state parks are within driving distance. Connecticut is a beautiful state!!
RangerMy husband and and I camped one night at this newly reopened park over the weekend in Long Island just to check it out and were pretty disappointed by the tent camping area. There are 69 tent/trailer sites(no hook ups). There is no distinguishing separation between each site nor a designated driveway for your car- you merely pull up on the grass. It's basically like camping in your local city park. People park wildly all over the place, which also makes it more difficult to determine which site is which by the number painted on the roadway. Each"site" has a picnic table and an barbecue grate on a post. There is one bath/shower house in the center of all of these sites with no path provided for folks to walk to and fro, so naturally people will walk right through your site randomly rather than around the road. While the bathroom building itself is in decent shape and has a large amount of toilet stalls and about five showers, the condition of women's room was absolutely ghastly inside.
At some point during the evening, a maintenance worker on a golf cart showed up with a mop and some cleaning supplies and cleaned the men's side of the building. I was so relieved when I saw him, but he seemed to neglect the women's side completely, so I resorted to using the men's facilities all night.
There are no fire pits on any of the sites, although I learned afterwards that they do allow you to bring your own metal fire pit as long as it is elevated off the ground. There are large dumpsters located throughout the camping area and a large trash bag is provided (if needed) at the camp office when you check in.
The highlight of Heckscher State Park is the newly constructed heated cottages located on the shore of Nichol's& Great South Bays.. There are currently 11 cottages--- with more under construction. There are cottages suited for two, four, and six people and range in price from$225-$285 per night during off peak seasons and$250- 320 per night during the peak seasons.
The cottages are fully furnished, with a full kitchen and large bathroom with a walk in shower. The cottages are a short walk from the beach and also include a fire pit with Adirondack chairs and an outdoor shower on the exterior each property. I do not have photos of the inside, but they do have them on the Reserve America website if you are interested.
While the cottages are lovely and their location is fabulous they are quite pricey and no TLC was spent in the$22 tent/rv camping area, other than a new registration office which is not yet completed as of this weekend. I do hope they invest some funding in the primitive area to add fire pits,more water spigots, clearer site markings and for the continued maintenance& upkeep of the bath/shower house.
* I emailed the parks departement about the issues mentioned above about the camping area and received this reply:
I am sorry that you are upset with the conditions in our recently opened campgrounds. We have replaced all of the picnic tables. Although, they may look old because they are weathered since these picnic tables were put together during the Winter, however, they are brand new. All of the barbeques are also new and were installed during the Winter. We have changed and modernized the light fixtures and we will be replacing the rusted doors that you mentioned. There are also plans to install a playground within the campground beginning this Fall and we are looking for other improvements and additions to the campgrounds. As you probably noticed there is a new building under construction, at the entrance to the campgrounds, and it will serve as a check-in area, as well as, additional comfort stations, including family restrooms. Your suggestion of fire pits is a good one and the Park Managers will evaluate the feasibility of installing these. Lastly, I have spoken to the Park Manager who will review the cleaning operation to ensure the restrooms are appropriately maintained. I apologize for our employee not cleaning the women's room. Again, I am sorry for your negative experience but we are continuing to make improvements to the campgrounds.
Sincerely, George Gorman Regional Director New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
I will check back later this year to see if anything was changed and report back.
Wildwood State Park Campground sits on Long Island's North Shore, approximately 70 miles east of New York City. The campground offers over a hundred campsites between elevations of 120 to 140 feet on the glacial moraine that forms Long Island's backbone. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience cooler temperatures between 45°F to 70°F.
Waterfront activities: The beaches along Long Island Sound at Wildwood State Park Campground offer rocky shorelines perfect for water exploration. A reviewer notes, "The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk" and recommends bringing "water shoes, as the beach is very rocky."
Wine tasting tours: Located at the entrance to wine country on Long Island, campers can visit nearby vineyards for tastings. As one visitor mentions, "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."
Stargazing permits: Several beaches require special permits for nighttime beach access. A camper explains, "You have to buy a stargazing permit to be out on the beach after sunset, which is kind of strange but really helps prevent hooligans from taking over the beach and destroying the serenity."
Hiking through pine barrens: Cathedral Pines County Park offers unique hiking through Long Island's signature pine forest ecosystem. A visitor notes the park has "very quiet, nice people" and "beautiful walking trails" through wooded sites.
Rowboat rentals: Ponds and lakes at several parks offer affordable boat rentals for fishing or leisure paddling. A camper at Sears Bellows County Park shares, "The first night I stayed here my friends and I rented some rowboats and went on the water. It was a lot of fun, and the price of the rowboat was pretty cheap."
Geocaching adventures: Multiple parks offer geocaching opportunities for a modern treasure hunt. One visitor mentioned, "There were hiking trails and geocaching on site" making it an engaging activity for tech-savvy campers.
Large wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness at Southaven County Park, with one reviewer mentioning, "Relaxing, slight rain one day but who cares! NO chores around home, sites are large, just bring a fire pit."
Diverse camping options: Tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin options serve different camping styles. A camper noted, "This is a very nice campground with various kinds of sites. You can find sites that are less wooded and better suited to group camping, as well as sites that are a little more secluded."
Access to both bay and ocean: Smith Point County Park provides dual-water access. As one visitor describes it, "Our 36ft motorhome backed up to a raised balcony overlooking the bay. Less than 100 feet from the front of our site was the beach and the Atlantic Ocean view."
Modern bathrooms: Well-maintained facilities make camping more comfortable. A camper points out, "Among the most modern bathrooms I've seen at a State Park campground. Nice clean campground with the usual NY State Park quality."
Wildlife viewing: Deer and bird watching opportunities enhance the natural experience. One camper shared their experience: "I watched a momma deer nursing two of her babies. This is paradise."
Fire Island camping experience: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground offers a unique island camping atmosphere. A camper describes it as "Beach camping at its finest" where you can "Listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean."
Suffolk County resident advantages: Many parks prioritize county residents for reservations. A camper explains, "If your going to be on Long Island, Suffolk county is really only RV friendly place. Worth buying green key card for resident access. 200 but you'd spend that 4 nights regardless."
Fire ring policies vary: Several parks don't provide fire rings automatically. One visitor advises, "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."
Insect preparation essential: Bug protection is mandatory, especially near water. A camper warns, "Beware and prepare for ticks. Very wooded" while another emphasizes, "Come with deet repellent as mosquitos are vicious."
Noise levels fluctuate: Some campgrounds experience varying noise levels, especially on weekends. A camper observes, "The other campers can be loud, so it's like a city of camping instead of the great outdoors."
Limited privacy in some sites: Certain campgrounds have close quarters. A reviewer at Blydenburgh County Park notes, "Sites are open and fairly close would be only negative. Sites are close and very buggy but 'tis the season'."
Transportation logistics: Some areas require ferry access or have vehicle restrictions. A camper points out, "Recently they became very stringent about parking two vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles."
Playground access: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Wading River feature playgrounds for children. A visitor to Indian Island County Park shares, "It's nice for kids they have an open field with a playground for kids. There are dog friendly which was very nice."
Beach swimming options: Different beaches offer varying swimming conditions. A camper advises, "The beach is 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."
Educational programs: Many parks offer ranger-led activities. A visitor mentions, "There are park rangers on site and have excellent programs for kids."
Security considerations: Most parks have regular security patrols. One camper notes, "Ranger drove around a few times to say hi. Trails were awesome. Row boat for fishing was great."
Water safety preparation: Rocky beaches require appropriate footwear. A visitor warns, "The beach is beautiful, very rocky, bring your water shoes, sunset scenery is beautiful! Kids were roaming freely and safe!"
Off-season benefits: Visiting during shoulder seasons reduces crowds. One camper shares their experience: "Wonderful weekend visit in the off season. Site was level, pretty spacious and easy to back into. Campsites are located close enough to the beach/marsh."
Hookup availability: Electric, water, and sometimes sewer connections vary by park. An RVer notes, "RV pull through sites were fantastic. It was a great campground for maiden voyage in new rig. Plenty of amenities."
Site levelness: Most RV sites are relatively level. A camper reports, "Sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."
Limited space in peak season: Reservations are essential, especially for larger rigs. One RVer shares, "Stayed here for two nights with my popup and was surrounded by large motor homes/RVs."
Dump station access: Some parks have central dump stations rather than site hookups. A visitor explains, "No sewers sites that I could tell, and water was off because we were a week shy of the season opening. Needed to move to dump station prior to leaving (2 night visit)."
Generator restrictions: Many pet friendly campgrounds near Wading River enforce quiet hours or restrict generator use. An RVer points out, "If your playing beer pong I think it would be strictly enforced."
Shore power reliability: Electrical hookups are generally stable. A camper confirms, "Shore power was without any problems and park has clean heated bathroom and bike station near dump site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wading River, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wading River, NY is Wildwood State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 24 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 45 dog-friendly camping locations near Wading River, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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