Long Island Camping

Picturesque, well-groomed nature trails, including the historic Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne’s Hill (Long Island’s highest peak, at an elevation of 400 feet), wind through this highly popular, mixed-deciduous forested park. West Hills flora and fauna include wild Mountain Laurel, Moccasin Flower, several fern species, salamanders, turtles, chipmunk, squirrel and red fox. Horses (both privately owned and leased from the on-site public Sweet Hills Stables) enjoy some of the finest and most picturesque bridle paths on Long Island at West Hills County Park. Camping at West Hills is offered to organized youth groups only. Campsites, lean-tos, and primitive shelters are available year-round. Reservations are required. Sweet Hollow Hall, a former church, now serves as a public meeting hall for several not-for-profit organizations and clubs. Starflower Experiences, Inc., offers environmental education programs for children at the hall. Sweet Hollow Hall is a handicapped accessible facility.

Wildwood State Park

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Wildwood State Park comprises 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest terminating on the high bluff overlooking Long Island Sound. Trailer and tent sites are available for campers. Swimmers can take advantage of the cool waters of the Sound, and picnickers can relax at shaded picnic tables as their children enjoy the nearby playground. Visitors can fish and use the hiking and cross-country ski trails. Fall Festival will be held on September 25, 2010.

Watch Hill at Fire Island

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Location
Watch Hill is located in the middle of Fire Island, across the Great South Bay from Patchogue, Long Island. Access by private boat or by seasonal ferry service from Patchogue, NY. Take the Watch Hill Ferry (631-475-1665) from West Avenue directly to Watch Hill, or take the Davis Park Ferry (631-475-1665) and walk 1 mile to Watch Hill.

Closures
Closed mid-October through mid-May.

Special Programs
During the summer, guided canoe tours and other programs are offered. Rangers provide a welcome, orientation and safety program for school groups. Teachers should be prepared to lead on-site activities. Pre-visit educational materials are sent after ferry reservation is confirmed.

Exhibits
Exhibits on various natural history topics available seasonally in the Watch Hill Visitor Center. View marine life of the Great South Bay in our fish tank.

Available Facilities
Facilities and services include a nature trail, visitor center (staffed seasonally for interpretive programs) and ranger office, 195-slip marina, seasonally lifeguarded beach (mid-June – Labor Day), bathhouse. Bookstore at Watch Hill Visitor Center stocks a variety of entertaining educational items. Park campground, marina and convenience store open mid-May. Ferry service to Watch Hill runs mid-May through mid-October (631-475-1665). No bicycles, scooters, rollerskates allowed on the boardwalks; wheelchairs, strollers and wagons are permitted. Pets are permitted, but must be kept leashed and are not allowed in public buildings, on lifeguarded beaches or near areas closed for endangered species. Pets may not be tied to any dock, and all excrement must be picked up and disposed of properly.

Theodore Roosevelt County Park

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Seventeenth century Montauk was home to America’s first cattle ranching system. Each spring, East Hampton Town colonists would drive cattle across the narrow Napeague strip to let them graze the rugged downs of Montauk. The herds were fenced in naturally by the surrounding waters. Historic Third House at Theodore Roosevelt County Park originated as the home for these early cattle keepers.

Third House also played a significant role in 1898 when it was utilized as the headquarters for Camp Wikoff. After their victory in the Spanish-American War Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, as well as 28,000 soldiers suffering from contagious diseases, were quarantined at Camp Wikoff in Montauk.

Southaven County Park

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The Carmans River flows through this scenic, pine-oak forested park. Southaven is a popular picnicking site, containing group areas capable of accommodating up to 1,000 people. Southaven’s 1,356 acres also offer a bicycle hostel. Boating and freshwater fishing are permitted. Camping is also available, with sites for tents and trailers.

Smith Point County Park

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Smith Point, on the Fire Island barrier beach, is a haven for sportsmen, surfers and beach lovers. An extremely popular facility, the park’s white sands, rolling Atlantic surf and adjoining camping facility attract Suffolk County residents and tourists each summer season. Reservations are required for all the sites in the campground. All sites have water, and many have electric hookups and sewers. Outer beach camping is available on first come, first served basis, beach conditions permitting. A nationally recognized team of lifeguards makes Smith Point its home base, providing ocean visitors with an extra-special safety feature. Off-road vehicles, with permit only, may drive on the western portion of the outer beach. All beach-goers are advised to respect the marked, protective fencing around the nest sites of endangered shorebirds inhabiting the ocean and bay beaches. The Smith Point Beach Hut (www.thebeachhuts.com) features a diverse menu and seafood specialties. Special events are scheduled throughout the summer months at Smith Point County Park.

Sears Bellows County Park

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Nestled within the Long Island Pine Barrens, Sears Bellows offers a broad range of recreational opportunities to Suffolk County residents and tourists. Campsites for both tents and trailers are available. Rowboat rentals are offered on freshwater Bellows Pond. Sears Bellows’ extensive trail system attracts hikers and horseback riders from all points, east and west. Riders may use the park with a horseback riding permit. This park is closed to certain activities during waterfowl hunting season. Sears Bellows Park is a sportsman’s paradise. Freshwater fishing for bluegill, bass, perch and pickerel, with bait, is permitted between sunrise and sunset. New York State regulations apply to all sporting activities.

Meschutt Beach County Park

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Meschutt Beach County Park is a stillwater, supervised bathing beach located on Great Peconic Bay, on the east side of the Shinnecock Canal. Limited camping for self-contained trailers and campers is available as well as showers, restrooms, and a food concession. A windsurfing and sailing area is also available.

The Meschutt Beach Hut Raw Bar & Grill is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner featuring a diverse menu including seafood specialties, live enterainment and unique settings. For complete info about the Beach Hut, call (631) 728-2988 or visit their web site at www.thebeachhuts.com

Indian Island County Park

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This 275 acre Indian Island County Park, at the estuarine mouth of the Peconic River, is open to the public year-round for a variety of activities. Camping is immensely popular at Indian Island, with trailer and tent campsites open to organized groups, individuals and camping clubs. Restrooms and shower facilities are available for the comfort of all campers. What was formerly the “island” at Indian Island County Park is now connected to the mainland by a causeway composed entirely of white sands. Remote, yet easily accessible to all, this “island”, complete with picnic tables, grills, comfortable benches and views of a glistening and peaceful Flanders Bay, offers one of the finest picnicking sites available in Suffolk County.