Camping at Heckscher State Park

Heckscher State Park's campground has 69 campsites in the woods on the north side of the park, just off the Heckscher State Parkway in East Islip. In 2026 it was open from May 22 to September 6. Sites are reserved through ReserveAmerica or by calling 1-800-456-CAMP; check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. Six sites (43, 50, 51, 52, 54 and 57) are marked accessible on the state's map. Dogs are not allowed in the camping area.

Where the Campground Is

The campground sits north of the Heckscher State Parkway, near River Road, on its own access road off the parkway. The state's 2024 campground map shows the camp office near the entrance, one-way loops lined with sites, a central restroom building, a dump station by the first loop, and dumpsters at the loop ends. The paved bike path runs down the east side of the campground and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail crosses it, so you can walk or ride from your site to the rest of the park without moving the car.

The Sites

The map numbers the sites from 1 to 69 in rows between the loops. Sites 43, 50, 51, 52, 54 and 57, in the northern rows near the restroom building, are drawn as accessible. NYS Parks lists showers among Heckscher's amenities. The state does not publish site sizes or hookups on its Heckscher page, so check each site's details on ReserveAmerica before you book.

Season and Dates

NYS Parks says the campground reopens each spring and runs through Labor Day weekend; the 2026 dates were May 22 to September 6. The rest of the park, including picnicking, stays open all year, but there is no camping outside the season.

How to Reserve

• Online: NYS Parks sends campers to ReserveAmerica, the state's booking system, from the Heckscher page.
• By phone: 1-800-456-CAMP, printed on the campground map.
• On arrival: registration at the camp office runs from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Google searches for "Heckscher camping" peak from May to August, so book as early as the system allows.

Check-in, Check-out and Rules

• Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m.
• The loops are one-way: follow the arrows.
• No dogs in the camping area. State park rules bar dogs from camping, bathing and picnic areas and buildings. Leashed dogs may use the dog walking trail on the park's west side.
• Carry trash to the dumpsters; state rules prohibit leaving litter anywhere but in receptacles.
• Keep to established roads and trails, and keep children under 10 supervised, as state rules require.

Want Walls Instead of a Tent?

Heckscher also rents 15 waterfront cottages on Nicoll's Bay, with kitchens, bathrooms and screened porches, from late April to mid-October. See cottages.

Things to Do From the Campground

• Ride or walk the four miles of paved paths (bike path).
• Swim at West Beach or Overlook Beach in season (beaches).
• Launch a kayak at Field 7 (kayaking).
• Walk the south end of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail (hiking).
• Look for white-tailed deer at dusk (deer and wildlife).

Ticks

NYS Parks' Long Island guidance warns about deer ticks, lone star ticks and American dog ticks in grassy and wooded areas. Check yourself, your children and your gear each evening.