Campgrounds and RV parks near Long Beach, NY

Long Beach itself has a 2.2-mile boardwalk, lifeguarded ocean beaches, and surfing on the west end. Nassau County beaches at Jones Beach State Park are a short drive east, with a bandshell, a nature center, and miles of Atlantic shoreline. Campers based at Floyd Bennett Field are close to Jacob Riis Park, the Rockaway beaches, and the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The grounds themselves include hiking trails, historic airplane hangars, a recreation complex with bike rentals, and an outdoor archery range. At Heckscher State Park, activities include bay swimming, boat launches, kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, and paved multi-use trails. Fire Island's Watch Hill sits next to the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness, the only federally designated wilderness in New York State. Allaire State Park is known for its 19th-century living-history village and the Pine Creek Railroad.

Camping seasons vary significantly by park. Heckscher State Park's campground typically operates from late May through early September, with reservations available through ReserveAmerica. Watch Hill Campground sites are typically available from mid-May to mid-October and are operated by concessioner LoveFINS. Allaire State Park's campground is generally open year-round, though the RV dump station operates only from mid-April to mid-October, and portions of the family campground have been closed for facility construction; check the NJDEP advisory before booking. Summer is peak season and books out fast. Campsites, and especially shelters, fill for summer and holiday weekends, and booking at least three months in advance is recommended. Shoulder seasons in May, September, and early October offer cooler nights, thinner crowds, and better site selection, though ocean swimming becomes marginal after Labor Day. Winter camping is very limited. Long Island state park campgrounds close by early September, and the Floyd Bennett Field campground operates seasonally as well. Nor'easters can bring wind, heavy rain, and coastal flooding from late fall through early spring, and campers should monitor forecasts closely.

Hookups are limited across the region. Heckscher accommodates equipment lengths ranging up to 50 feet depending on the site, without electric, water, or sewer hookups, but provides restrooms, showers, a dump station, and picnic tables. Allaire has no hookups either, but provides drinking water, flush toilets, showers, a seasonal RV dump station, and a table, fire ring and grate at each site. Watch Hill is tent and glamping only: transportation to the campground is by private boat or the Watch Hill Ferry from Patchogue, so an RV stays parked at the mainland lot. Floyd Bennett Field is rustic urban camping with shared bathhouses, and open ground fires are prohibited. Liberty Harbor RV Park is the only full-hookup option in the immediate metro area, with a small paved lot and PATH access to Manhattan. Mosquitoes, ticks, and deer flies are common in wooded and dune settings from late spring through early fall. Pack accordingly.