Reserve a cabin or tent at these Long Island parks
A group of campers at Wildwood State Park in Wading RIver, which has dozens of tent campsites in addition to cabins with modern amenities. Credit: Johnny Milano
Camping can be more glamorous around Long Island, where public parks have furnished structures that visitors can rent by the night or the week.
COTTAGES
Wildwood State Park
790 Hulse Landing Rd., Wading River; Reservations: 800-456-2267, newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
One of the cottages at Wildwood State Park in Wading River. Credit: Randee Daddona
Four one-bedroom (four-person capacity) and six two-bedroom (six-person capacity) cottages have cedar shingles, mahogany trim and metal roofs, while the rustic-style interior is composed of unfinished natural wood. Each is equipped with a full kitchen and bathroom, screened-in porch, picnic table, electric heating/AC, queen-size beds and outdoor firepits with attached grills. Three cottages are ADA-compliant. No pets.
- Rates from $175 to $250 a night, deposit required, available through Oct. 18.
Heckscher State Park
1 Heckscher State Pkwy., Field 1, East Islip; 631-581-2100, newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
One- and two-bedroom furnished beachside cottages overlooking Nicoll Bay are equipped with a loft, full kitchen, bathroom, AC/heat, Wi-Fi, screened porch, deck and an outdoor firepit with a grill. They're available to rent for a maximum of seven nights. Four cottages are ADA-compliant. No pets.
- Rates from $250 to $320 a night during peak season and from $225 to $285 a night during non-peak season. Both with minimum stay requirements. 21 and older. Cottages available through Oct. 18.
PLATFORM TENTS
Watch Hill, Fire Island National Seashore
The campground at Watch Hill, part of the Fire Island National Seashore. Credit: @loveFINS
The campground offers safari-style platform tents outfitted mostly with two queen beds, linens, mosquito netting, decks, Adirondack chairs, a cooler and charcoal for the barbecue. (The smaller tent sites have one queen bed.) Campsites are a short walk to the ocean beach (the Atlantic is at its warmest in late summer), as well as to food trucks. Ferries run from Patchogue to Watch Hill. $25 fee per dog per day for the additional cleaning, wear and tear. All sites charged a taxable one-time $38 cleaning/linen fee per reservation.
- Rates are $199 a night weekdays and $299 a night weekends and holidays, June 19-Sept. 7; discounts for shoulder season stays, through June 18 and Sept. 8-Oct. 12.
LUXURY TENTS
Cedar Point County Park Campground
Stephen Hands Path, East Hampton; 631-908-9028, 917-257-3652, lovecedarpt.com, reserveamerica.com, glamping@lovecedarpt.com.
Members of Zoeller family, of North Babylon, set up their campsite at Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
The county park has safari-style platform tents overlooking Gardiners Bay. Tents are covered with large rain flies that make a covered porch, and provide additional waterproofing and shade to keep the tents cooler. You can sit under the covered porch on the two Adirondack chairs provided. Each tent site is set with a picnic table and nearby charcoal grill. Single tents come standard with a queen bed, while double tents offer two queen beds. Get up to two additional cots with bedding for a small daily fee ($25 each, per day). It's a short walk to the Cedar Point Camp Store for coffee, food, beverages, toiletries, apparel, games and more. Hot showers can be found in the campground. $25 pet fee per night. Linen and cleaning fee $34 for single queen tent, $44 for double queen tent.
- Season Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend.
- Rates from $199 a night weekday, $299 Saturdays, $249 off peak Friday nights, $299 peak Friday nights. $329 peak summer Friday and Saturday per night. There is a two-day minimum stay for reservations that include Saturdays. Three-day minimum stay for holiday weekends.
TINY HOUSE
Nickerson Beach Park Campground
Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach; 516-571-7700, nassaucountyny.gov/2812/Nickerson-Beach-Park.
Nickerson Beach in Lido Beach draws locals and visitors alike. Credit: Linda Rosier
This Nassau County park has one tiny house available for renting while staying on the beach. The tiny house sleeps four people and amenities include air conditioning, fully equipped kitchen space with air fryer, microwave and toaster oven, bathroom with shower, hot and cold water, living room area (will convert into a bed) with a TV. A second-floor loft has a queen bed and TV. Linens (sheets) and towels are provided. Outside, find a picnic table, firepit, grill, two chairs and one self-standing hammock. A full-service store is available on-site. Bring your own firewood or purchase from on-site store.
- Season through October.
- Rates are $199 a night Mon.-Thurs., $349 a night Fri.-Sun. (Two-night minimum.) There are minimum night stays required on some dates. Additional tax and $50 cleaning fee. Check in at 1 p.m., check out at 11 a.m.
