Cabins near Wantagh, New York range from rustic to modern with varying levels of amenities. The region experiences humid summers with average temperatures of 75-85°F from June to August and mild winters with temperatures between 30-45°F. Most cabin facilities in the area are accessible year-round, though beach access and some outdoor activities are restricted to seasonal operation.
What to do
Beach activities: Wildwood State Park Campground provides access to the Long Island Sound with a small rocky beach area. "It is close to the beach, but a very small and rocky beach," reports Michael G. The park is located on the North Shore with "high bluffs, sandy calm beaches along the Long Island Sound, and views of CT across the water."
Hiking trails: Several parks offer trails with varying difficulty levels. The Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center features "great hiking for all abilities" and "beautiful lakes all over the place," according to Meredith C. At Heckscher State Park, visitors can "bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach."
Water recreation: Many cabin facilities provide lake or ocean access. At the Stephen & Betsy Corman AMC Harriman Outdoor Center, "you can do a hike around the lake. You can also rent canoes and take them out on the lake for an afternoon activity," notes Ethan K. Croton Point Park is "a gorgeous camping ground right on the Hudson with beach and trails."
What campers like
Cabin comfort: Sebago Cabin Camp offers "rustic" accommodations that provide basic shelter while maintaining a camping feel. "These cabins are VERY rustic, four walls, a cot, and a fridge. You still feel like you are 'roughing it' but with the convenience of a fridge," writes Sara P. Most cabins include "a full fridge and double hot plate outside a fire pit and grill with table," adds Hashim C.
Group camping: Heckscher State Park Campground is particularly suited for social camping. "This place is the best around for group and family camping. The entire campground is one flat open space where some sites are full in the shade and other sites (lower numbers) have lots of sun," writes Giselle P. The layout allows for easy interaction between neighboring sites.
Accessibility: Many cabin locations offer convenient access from New York City and surrounding areas. Collective Governors Island provides urban camping options, while Croton Point Park is "located just an hour and a half outside of the city." The Harriman Outdoor Center is "accessible by public transportation. There is a shuttle run by the campsite to and from Tuxedo Park Train Station," according to Ilya F.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially during summer months. Some locations have specific reservation systems. At Croton Point Park, "the 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."
Bathroom facilities: Quality and proximity of facilities vary widely. At Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, visitors note "showers are not covered no curtains." Thorin J. reports that at Heckscher State Park, "the restroom building is in the middle of the campground and was clean and had plenty of stalls." However, other locations may have limited facilities.
Bug protection: Mosquitoes are a common complaint at many cabin locations. At Watch Hill Fire Island Campground, one camper warns: "We couldn't even enjoy our meals at camp because it was that bad. Def bring a shelter or a canopy with a mosquito net!!!" Igor K. confirms: "Lots of mosquitoes, be prepared."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. Allaire State Park features "a playground" and Thomas notes that Croton Point Park has "a decent playground for young kids." At Heckscher State Park, "there is a playground just for the campground."
Entertainment options: Many parks provide organized activities for children. At Sebago Cabin Camp, "Ranger Joe is excellent with the kids" and they offer "movie nights" and "big bonfires on Saturday," making it "very kid friendly." Heckscher State Park sometimes features special entertainment: "On one visit there was a magician performing for the camp goers."
Safety considerations: Parks with ranger presence offer additional security. At Heckscher State Park, "park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground." Jessica C. notes, "Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe." This can provide peace of mind for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site configurations: Watch Hill Fire Island Campground requires planning for arrival. "It is a little less than a half mile walk from the ferry dock and located behind the dunes which offer some protection," notes Jill F. This means RVers need to consider how to transport their equipment from the parking area to the campsite.
Hookup availability: Wildwood State Park offers "water, electric and sewer hookups at each site" with "a separate area for RVs vs tents." However, as Michael G. notes, "sites had zero privacy and were all pull through," which may not appeal to all RVers seeking solitude.
Park regulations: Some parks have specific rules affecting RVers. At Croton Point Park, "you had to write down your credit card number on a slip of paper before we were given a key that opened the gate to the campground." These parks are "laden with all sorts of inexplicable and burdensome rules, endless guidelines, and restrictions" according to Paul K.
