RV camping near Wading River, New York offers varied terrain options with numerous county and state-managed campgrounds throughout Long Island's eastern region. Wading River sits at approximately 92 feet above sea level in Suffolk County, experiencing moderate rainfall year-round and summer high temperatures typically reaching 80-85°F. Cell service varies considerably between campgrounds, with stronger signals closer to developed areas.
What to do
**Wildlife viewing: The beachfront campgrounds provide excellent wildlife observation opportunities. At Smith Point County Park, campers report regular deer sightings. "Truly great spot. Amazing sites with plenty of room, though they are close together. But was worth it for the amenities and fantastic views," notes one visitor who stayed on the bayside.
**Kayaking: Located 5 minutes from Rocky Neck State Park Campground, the 4-mile river boat launch offers water access for paddlers. "A lot of you children. Short walk to Rock Neck beach. Nature Center has movies on weekends for kids," explains a visitor who found the kayak launch required driving, not walking.
**Swimming: Many campgrounds feature swimming areas, both pool and natural water options. At Aces High RV Park, guests appreciate the "clean playground and well maintained pool as well as some walking paths, large grassy areas, pavilion and volleyball court." Some campsites even offer "a creek area for dog swimming. Our two labs loved it!"
What campers like
**Level sites: Campers consistently praise campgrounds offering concrete pads or level sites. A visitor to Aces High RV Park mentioned "Clean, well-maintained, and level site with concrete pad and patio (I love a clean, level concrete pad!). Utility hookups were in great condition and everything worked as it should (other parks should come and take a look at how to do this right)."
**Water views: Waterfront sites remain highly sought-after for motorhome travelers exploring Wading River's surrounding areas. One reviewer described "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."
**Security: Many campgrounds maintain regular security patrols. At Heckscher State Park Campground, "Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe." This makes the park especially popular for families and solo campers.
What you should know
**Site privacy varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer spacious sites with natural borders, others have minimal separation. At Heckscher State Park Campground, "The campsites are very close together without any defining borders so everybody just walks across each other site's to get to a different one, a path, the bathroom, etc."
**Seasonal amenities: Pool availability changes throughout the camping season. "The pool is very clean as are the bathrooms and showers," notes a visitor to Crocker's Boatyard, where summer visitors can cool off after a day of exploration.
**Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. While some offer well-maintained bathrooms, others require improvement. A camper at Cathedral Pines County Park mentioned that "sites are great overlooking the bay. Bathroom lights are bright. 10 would be better."
Tips for camping with families
**Look for recreation programs: Several campgrounds host organized activities for children. "On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers. I've even been there while there was a philharmonic concert near the campground," shares a visitor describing Heckscher State Park Campground's family-friendly programming.
**Consider cottages for young children: For families with very young campers, cottages provide comfort while maintaining the camping experience. "This was a last-minute booking for us and we were delighted with the beachside cottage, with enough amenities that mom and dad did not worry we had their cutie with us for 'camping'. She's too little for backpacking into the woods but finally got to stay overnight and help with the campfire!"
**Secure belongings: Secure bikes and valuable items, especially in more populated campgrounds. One visitor warned, "Please lock up your bikes cause high schoolers will go over the bridge and steal you bikes or alcohol if they aren't locked up at night. It's happened to me."
Tips from RVers
**Accessibility: For larger RVs, advance research prevents access issues. "Many pull-thru sites, maybe 20 back ins on a pond," notes a visitor to Aces High RV Park, which accommodates various RV sizes year-round.
**Water/electric availability: Most campgrounds near Wading River offer water and electric hookups, though full-service sites are limited. At Totoket Valley RV Park, a visitor found "Small campground with good electrical, clean water, sewer and a friendly owner. Each site has grass and a picnic table."
**Propane availability: On-site propane service is rare but available at select locations. A visitor notes, "Clean, 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."
