Best Campgrounds near West Sayville, NY

Long Island's coastal environment supports a network of campgrounds near West Sayville, New York, with options ranging from oceanfront sites to inland forested areas. Heckscher State Park Campground in East Islip provides tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with beach access, while Watch Hill Fire Island Campground on Fire Island National Seashore offers tent and cabin camping accessible via ferry. Several Suffolk County parks including Blydenburgh County Park, Southaven County Park, and Cathedral Pines County Park provide year-round camping options within a 30-minute drive of West Sayville.

Most developed campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, particularly during the summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day when coastal sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds feature electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary by location. Fire Island sites require ferry transportation, adding logistical planning for gear transport. Suffolk County parks typically offer more wooded settings with lake access, while coastal sites provide beach proximity but less privacy between camping spots. A visitor noted, "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."

Beachfront camping experiences distinguish the region, with multiple reviews highlighting the unique coastal setting. Watch Hill on Fire Island receives particular attention for its proximity to the ocean, where campers can "listen to the waves crashing as you sleep and stargaze over the clear ocean." Family-friendly amenities feature prominently in campground reviews, with several locations offering playgrounds, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, rabbits, and shore birds, though visitors should prepare for mosquitoes, particularly at coastal sites. Inland parks like Blydenburgh County Park offer a different experience, as one camper described: "I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over. Group camping has a limit of 2 cars per site. This helped support a feeling of secluded tranquility."

Best Camping Sites Near West Sayville, New York (35)

    1. Heckscher State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Great River, NY
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 581-2100

    $20 / night

    "* cottages far enough away from each other

    • fire ring with Adirondack chairs
    • dumpster and recycling within walking distance
    • lots of bone dry firewood around for campfire
    • walkable beach"

    "Overall my experience was positive. Camping Sites

    Each camping site has a picnic table and barbeque grill."

    2. Blydenburgh County Park

    11 Reviews
    Hauppauge, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 854-3713

    "just a great place to get away from home"

    "The group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over, (about 20 minutes from home.)"

    3. Watch Hill Fire Island Campground — Fire Island National Seashore

    7 Reviews
    Bayport, NY
    7 miles
    +1 (631) 597-6074

    "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."

    4. Smith Point County Park

    9 Reviews
    Mastic Beach, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-1315

    "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."

    5. Southaven County Park

    7 Reviews
    Shirley, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-1391

    $33 / night

    "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."

    6. Wildwood State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Wading River, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 929-4314

    $20 - $250 / night

    "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."

    7. Smith's Point

    5 Reviews
    Mastic Beach, NY
    13 miles
    Website

    8. Cathedral Pines County Park

    4 Reviews
    Middle Island, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (631) 852-5502

    9. Fire Island National Seashore

    1 Review
    Mastic Beach, NY
    13 miles
    Website

    $25 / night

    10. Battle Row Campground

    4 Reviews
    Old Bethpage, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (516) 572-8690

    $5 - $60 / night

    "You can take bike rides , and relax outside with a nice amount of space to yourself ."

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Recent Reviews near West Sayville, NY

228 Reviews of 35 West Sayville Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Functional with excellent access to the City

    Very plain & functional, no frills but right on the harbor & on the very edge of Jersey City, close to a ferry & the train that takes u across to New York City. Shopping & restraunts are right next door. We brought scooters & had a great stay! Plus you can see the Statue of Liberty from there!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    friendly staff at the office

    Gave us a welcome folder with lots of helpful info, can walk to get food up the street, short drive to Liberty Park where we got out and walked at night to admire the city skyline and Statue of Liberty at night. They have hook ups and big laundry room.

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Our go-to spot

    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)

  • H
    Jun. 28, 2025

    Hammonasset State Park Campground

    Worst Camp Hosts

    Absolute worst Camp Hosts. They cancel every event they schedule while receiving free beach camping all summer. They’re an embarassment and a constant disappointment for young children. Shame on you and shame on Hammonasset.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Wildwood State Park Campground

    Nice campground with lots of sites

    I've been going to this campground every summer for at least 5 years. Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles. I usually host group camping trips and the single vehicle rule makes that very difficult.

    That aside, 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. This is one of my favorite campgrounds solely because there are platform sites so I can place my tent on a concrete or wooden platform. There is a separate area for RVs vs tents. There is also a store where you can get a cup of coffee in the morning and lots of goodies throughout the day.

    There are hiking trails and you can walk to the beach. Note - it is a downhill walk to the beach. The beach is fairly clean and has a small boardwalk.

    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. There is also a Tanger Outlet nearby. I've been there during a full on thunderstorm and watched as the trees swayed in the wind.

    Lovely campground with lots of activities to entertain you.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Heckscher State Park Campground

    My favorite place for group 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. I've been going here every summer since 2019 after it re-opened. Each site has a picnic table and grill. Water is also available near the sites.

    You can come here in tents as well as RVs and the staff is very nice. They toilets are cleaned constantly, though they are not immaculate. There is a shop at the entrance to get supplies if you need it and you can rent firepits and buy firewood. The ice cream trucks comes by as well. There is a playground just for the campground.

    Bring a bicycle or scooper and you can ride the loop around to the beach; you can also drive to the beach. There is a pool, but it has not been open for many years. There are also hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak.

    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.

    Park staff and rangers regularly patrol the campground and are diligent about cleaning up.

  • M
    May. 3, 2025

    Blydenburgh County Park

    Great stay

    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.Very clean campgrounds lots of space.Not much to do inside the grounds.

  • Joe R.
    Mar. 23, 2025

    Liberty Harbor RV Park

    Worth it

    This is a pricey park, but options are limited. As in almost non existent. This is a prime location for visiting the city or heading down the shore. The light rail is a block away, and the path train is about 8.

    Staff is average, as this is not meant to be high end. They are nice but a bit rough. We had some issues with our converter and they wanted to extort a 20% commission to allow our repair man in. A bit of logical conversation put that idea to sleep. Sites kind of level and very close. Power and water, and convenient dump station if staying and needing to dump. The bath house was above average and heated. The laundry was helpful and was acceptable. Having a view of Lady Liberty out your window is priceless.

    Getting in and out of the city is an adventure. Stay right off the highway to avoid the $30 tunnel toll. Follow RV life pro and not Waze.

  • Prashant M.
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Indian Island County Park

    Very Busy! Close quarters! Can be loud and neighbors are ignorant of rules

    Stayed at this campground this past weekend and yes it was a long weekend so the campground was packed. All the camping spots are pretty much right next to each one with hardly any space, packed like Sardines. Neighbors are loud and some of them are ignorant of the park rules. Staying on the phones in the middle of the night while talking so loud that all camping neighbors can hear their whole story

    Its a pity that they take a nice park and remove the fun out of camping. 

    However 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

    Camp site itself was pretty flat, had a water station, bathrooms were well kept , no fire ring (BYOFP)


Guide to West Sayville

Suffolk County's camping options provide diverse experiences for travelers seeking outdoor accommodations near West Sayville, New York. The region features both inland wooded sites and coastal camping opportunities within a 30-minute drive radius. Campsites vary dramatically from open field layouts to secluded wooded spots, with most requiring advance booking through reservation systems that prioritize county residents during peak seasons.

What to do

Explore hiking trails: Blydenburgh County Park offers extensive trails surrounding its lake, making it ideal for day hiking between camp sessions. One visitor shared, "There is a large 7 mile loop around the lake with decent fishing. Lots of horses and dogs on the trail."

Water recreation: At Heckscher State Park Campground, campers can access various water activities just minutes from their sites. According to a review, "There are hiking trails and a place where you can rent a kayak."

Beach time: Smith Point County Park provides immediate beach access for swimming and sunbathing. A camper noted, "A short walk from the ocean to the bay, both accessible by walking from your campsite."

Wildlife observation: Cathedral Pines County Park offers opportunities to view local fauna in a natural setting. A reviewer mentioned, "Usually quiet, occasional deer. Be sure to lock food away as the raccoons are pretty invasive."

What campers like

Beach proximity: Many campers appreciate the direct ocean access at certain locations. One Smith's Point visitor wrote, "The days are warm and the nights are chilly. All in all it a great place to camp."

Quiet wooded sites: Some parks offer more secluded camping experiences. A Blydenburgh County Park camper noted, "Group camping on the fox sites is accessible by a dirt drive in. I felt like I was suddenly transported upstate when in fact I had only driven 2 towns over."

Varied accommodation options: From primitive tent sites to fully equipped cottages, the region offers multiple camping styles. A reviewer at Wildwood State Park Campground shared, "Recently they became very stringent about parking to vehicles at the site making it very difficult to visit with a family and 2 vehicles."

Onsite amenities: Many campgrounds feature convenient facilities. According to a Battle Row visitor, "They have shower and restroom facilities, the showers were amazing and also so clean!"

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for Suffolk County residents. As one Cathedral Pines County Park visitor noted, "Usually every site (I think $14 a night for green key members) has a decent fire pit/grill."

Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. A Smith's Point camper advised, "Be prepared for narrow campsites and book early."

Seasonal considerations: Weather and insects affect camping experiences significantly. A Fire Island National Seashore visitor recommended, "Make sure to get a reservation if you're going in between march 15 and labor day."

Fire regulations: Rules regarding campfires differ between parks. At Battle Row, "There are NO fire pits, you must bring your own. Fires are allowed but you must have a fire container or bucket for your fire off of the ground."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Battle Row Campground, "The playground is new and centrally located. They also have a horseshoe pit."

Special activities: Some parks offer organized events for younger campers. A Heckscher State Park visitor shared, "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."

Safety considerations: Most camping areas near West Sayville provide secure environments. A reviewer noted, "Rangers came around checking on everyone often so it really did feel incredibly safe."

Unique wildlife experiences: Smith's Point offers special animal interactions, as one camper described, "The deer eat lettuce out of your hand. Shhhh- not supposed to feed the deer."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: RV campers should check for necessary connections when booking camping sites near West Sayville, New York. A Southaven County Park visitor mentioned, "There seemed to be a disproportionate amount of dilapidated trailers on the side of the campground with no electricity. The side with electricity was ok."

Site configurations: Many campgrounds separate RV and tent areas. At Wildwood State Park, "sites had zero privacy and were all pull through. There was water, electric and sewer hookups at each site."

Space limitations: Some RV areas offer more room than others. A Smith Point County Park reviewer shared, "Amazing sites with plenty of room, though they are close together. But was worth it for the amenities and fantastic views."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near West Sayville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, West Sayville, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 35 campgrounds and RV parks near West Sayville, NY and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near West Sayville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near West Sayville, NY is Heckscher State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near West Sayville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near West Sayville, NY.

What parks are near West Sayville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near West Sayville, NY that allow camping, notably Fire Island National Seashore and Gateway National Recreation Area.