Watch Hill Campgrounds, Fire Island, Long Island

Want to camp but you don't have a car? No Problem! Located on Fire Island, Watch Hill Campground is only accessible by ferry. Luckily the LIRR Patchogue station is about one black away from the ferry terminal. If you have a car, there is a parking lot (free) at the ferry terminal. This is a relatively easy camping destination to get to, provided you have the strength to haul your gear, otherwise you may need at least one other adult. I have done it solo - you can too, if you have children old enough to carry a medium sized backpack with a large wagon/cart to wheel your gear.

*Again a special thanks to Noah for the beautiful photography....and dish washing....and heavy lifting....and beer delivery service.

The campsites are nestled between the sand dunes

There are two types of camping options available; back-country camping or organized campsites. 

For back-country camping, you must acquire a permit at the ranger's station. These are free but limited and issues on a first-come, first-served basis. With permit in hand you must walk about one mile out through the sandy beach and camp in the dunes. There are no facilities and you must pack everything in, like water, and out, including your waste.

The organized campsite offers 26 sites nestled between the dunes. You must reserve these early if you wish to go during any weekend in the summer months. Other than the ranger driven ATV's, there are no vehicles on this part of Fire Island so a red wagon, shopping cart or other type of gear transport is a must, in addition to a wheeled cooler and sturdy backpack. 

As another option, if you're lucky enough to own a boat, you can also rent a slip at the marina. This review is based solely on the organized campsites.

Boardwalks connect everything and protect the delicate vegetation on the dunes.

Whether going by car or LIRR, when you arrive at the Watch Hill ferry building you are not allowed to bring cargo into the building so park your wagon outside as you buy your ticket. You can get a round trip ticket which is good for the season.

The ferry does charge for cargo but the fee is nominal. Bring your gear around the ferry terminal and wait to board. The ferry workers were incredibly nice and helpful in getting everyone's gear on board and positioned with Tetris-like precision. 

You can choose to sit on the open air top but hold on to your hat since the ferry picks up speed pretty suddenly when you exit the marina. There is also seating below but there is a fair chance you will get wet. The total ferry ride time is about 30 minutes.

Breathtaking sunrises on the dunes - what more could you ask for?

When you arrive at the marina, head straight to the general store to get a tag for your campsite. You cannot reserve a specific site but rather you pick from whichever sites are available when you arrive (the sites which aren't tagged).

The campsites start about 1/4 mile from the marina but everything is connected via a boardwalk. Some of the sites require you to walk through other sites to access so there may be some minimal sand hauling. The process of picking a campsite is a bit chaotic as there will most likely be several campers getting off the ferry with you and the race begins to try and grab the "best site" before anyone else. Don't get me wrong - all of the sites are good, but some are better than others.

Site 10 is furthest from the boardwalk and most private but that involves a longer walk to the facilities. Site 2 is closer and private but there is quite a bit of brush so bugs may be a problem. Sites 23, 25 & 26 seems the most private without a lot of brush and pretty close to the restrooms though you do need to walk through sites 22/24 to get to them.

Most of the nature trail is shaded.

Once you set up camp and get settled you can choose to head to the beach, or there is a nature trail via a boardwalk though the salt marshes.

Back at the marina, there is the visitors’ center/ranger station with a few exhibits on display and there are nature books and coloring books for sale. On weekends they sometimes offer canoe rides through the marshes of guided tours through the nature trail so check to see what's available. They have a junior naturalist program which is fun for the little ones.

Also at the marina is a snack bar open for breakfast & lunch, the general store where you can pick up overpriced supplies (hey, it's a seasonal business), and a restaurant, The Pier, which is open for dinner and Sunday brunch. It is a bit pricey but the food is pretty good. I recommend planning and budgeting to eat a meal or two at the snack bar....you know you'll cave in anyway.

There is the Tiki bar and while kids are not allowed to sit at the bar, you will see kids running around the area. They serve all drinks in plastic cups and plenty of parents were taking their cocktails "to-go".

The Tiki Bar will gladly make virgin drinks as well.

You can access the beach easily from the campsite or marina by taking the boardwalk up to the top of the dune. Be prepared to have all your stress release from your body when you get to the top and see the pristine beach stretch for miles and miles. A few steps down to the beach and pick your perfect spot.

Be sure to pack plenty of strong sun block and bug spray.

On the beach is a volleyball court and when we went there was only one lifeguard station. Make sure you stay between the green flags as this entire coastline has notoriously strong rip tides. The waves at Watch Hill tend to break pretty close to shore which makes boogie boarding a bit tough unless you enjoy planting your face in the sand. Still there were lots of kids (and adults) trying anyway.

The currents can be strong here sometimes so check with the Rangers for the latest conditions. There are some pretty strong waves here so most kids stay close to the shore. Body surfing is popular with the little ones so if you own a board, bring it along. Most of the adults were just floating on their backs on the ocean. The sand here is perfect for sandcastle construction. Note that the band of seemingly "dirty" sand is not dirty but in face a different type of sand found on Fire Island which is purple and actually made up from tiny garnets.

Comfort stations offer uncomfortably cold showers.

Taking the boardwalk back towards the campsites you'll pass the comfort stations. The facilities were pretty clean though there is no hot water. The showers and changing stations are open with no doors or shower curtains though it seems some campers put up their own curtains. If you and/or your children are more modest, you may want to bring 1-2 cheap shower curtains with hooks. The hooks should be large in diameter since the poles are rather thick - rope works as well to hang the curtain. The showers have pull handles which you must hold to keep the flow of water going. Parents will most likely have to hold the water poles for their little ones as they are located rather high up. And beware that the showers are cold - really cold. It is not uncommon to hear screams from the bath house as a poor unsuspecting beach-goer is suddenly doused with ice cold water. Also at the comfort stations are two electrical outlets near the sinks though you will often see technology-addicts lounging around the toilets while their phones charge. 

As you venture back towards the campsites, there are potable water spigots throughout, though ironically these seemed to pump out lukewarm water. If you'd like a cold drink, the spigots by the bath house are your best option. There are also two trash stations, one right near site 1 and one further down. There is also a dish washing station further down the boardwalk.

A view of the path to the beach from the comfort stations.

The crowd at the beach, campsite and marina seems to be a good mix of singles, couples, families and groups of friends. There is that lazy, easy-going beach attitude which is just wonderful. I should also point out that Watch Hill is most definitely LGBT friendly and you will often see same-sex couples, singles and families staying and playing here.

We were lucky enough to have a full moon and a clear night.

You must be thinking this is too good to be true - affordable camping accessible via public transportation with a pristine beach (and Tiki bar) in Fire Island? Here's the draw - because this is federally protected land, they cannot spray for bugs and there are lots of mosquitoes - in fact there are so many that the general store sells tourist t-shirts with a picture of mosquitoes and the words "Bite Me! Fire Island, NY".

There are also deer and thus deer ticks so bring matches or a tick remover. Be sure to check on yourself and your children each day though to be safe. Back to the mosquitoes....while backpack camping typically means only the essentials, it is crucial that you bring a screen room tent. Not only will it provide a much needed respite from the bugs, but because there are no tall trees to put up a shade tarp, you will welcome a spot to escape the sun. You can also bring tent poles to set up a shade tarp, especially if you're sensitive to the sun.

Be sure to bring a DEET based insect repellent and re-apply it according to the directions. It really does keep them away if you're diligent about it. This goes against camping instinct, but try and pick a site that is away from trees and shrubbery and the bugs won't be as bad. Most people opt for the nice shaded sites and end up covered in welts and burning off ticks every night.

Watch Hill is fabulous in moderation.

My overall take on Watch Hill is that it is fabulous in moderation. Being on the beach is wonderful but if you burn easily, or if the mosquitoes are oppressive, you may want to limit the length of your trip. I would say 2-4 nights is the maximum any reasonable person can do.

Also because there is no playground, little children may get bored after a few days. If you want a great weekend getaway, I highly recommend Watch Hill. You can also come to Watch Hill for a day trip.

Watch Hill/Davis Park Ferry
LIRR Schedule
Reserve Watch Hill Campground

Distance: 1.5 - 2.5 hours

Age: Child+

Partner: Y

Comfort: The Works

Privacy: Some

Swimming: Y

Boating: BYOB

Loading Gear onto the Roof of your Car

When embarking on a car camping trip, space in your trunk and car may be at a premium, especially if you are going on a long trip and have extra gear (or extra people). If your car has a roof rack, definitely put it to use to hold some gear. If your car does not have a roof rack, there are after market racks you can purchase and install. If you are capable of putting together furniture from Ikea, you can easily manage installing a roof rack on your car. Thule and Yakima are the two most common brands. If, like me, you live in a metropolitan area, be sure to buy cam locks for your rack or one day you may walk to your car and find them gone.

If you have never used your roof rack before, it may seem a bit daunting. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you don't want all of your gear to fall off your roof and onto the highway halfway to your destination. You may also be concerned about damaging the roof of your vehicle with the gear and weight. I have loaded my roof rack many times during trips, I have never lost a load on the highway (though once came close) and have learned how to manage with no damage to your roof and no risk of spillage.

Like a boss! 80 miles and it didn't budge an inch.

The first thing you need (other than a roof rack) are sturdy ratcheting tie downs. These can be purchased online or at many auto or home improvement stores. They typically come in packs of 4 and can be bought for between $15-$25. Here is an example of a set: Ratchet Tie Down on Amazon. You will also need to one tarp to cover your gear and protect it from bugs & rain (I use my tent ground tarp) and another tarp or old quilt to protect the roof of your car - unless you have a basket on your roof rack that keeps the gear off the actual roof.

1. Place the long strap of the tie downs, 2 width-wise and 2 length-wise, securing the s-hook to the bars.

• Step 1: Arrange the long straps of the ratchets on your roof with two going across the width of your car, and two going across the length of your car. Secure the s-hook to the bar of your car. If your vehicle only has side rails or, like mine, only has cross bars, just secure the width-wise or lengthwise straps for now. If the S-hooks at the end of the tie downs don't hook around the bars of your roof rack (mine don't), then loop the tie around the bar, and then wrap the tie several times around the s-hook.

2. Place a tarp or folded quilt to protect your car roof from damage.

• Step 2: Place the tarp or quilt on top of the straps to protect your roof from being scratched.

3. Carefully load your gear to the roof. Make sure weight is evenly distributed.

• Step 3: Next is the tricky part. Load your gear to the roof, being sure to load large items only, and try to make sure that the weight is evenly distributed. My typical roof load consists of the following: Folding table first, then on top two storage bins and in front of the bins, my tent, behind the bins, my grill. Essentially, you want to be sure that anything you load on the roof will be covered by the over tarp you will add later.

4. Cover your gear to protect from weather and bugs and to keep your gear packaged nicely.

• Step 4: Take a tarp and cover your gear. Try to tuck the tarp in under your gear so it is completely protected from the elements and this also helps keep your gear balanced and together during transport.

5. Lash the tie down straps width-wise across your gear and ratchet down loosely.

• Step 5: Now to start tying everything down. Take the width-wise straps and throw them across your gear. Go to where the ends of the straps are and attach the ratchet part of the strap to the side bars as you did with the long strap in step 1. If you do not have side bars, just secure the ratchet S-hook to the long strap S-hook. You can wrap some duct tape around them for extra protection. Carefully begin ratcheting both straps together, following the instructions on the packaging. Do not ratchet them too tightly at this point, just ratchet enough so that the straps lay flat against your load.

6. Lash the tie down straps length-wise across your gear, crossing them in an X and ratchet down loosely.

• Step 6: Take the length wise straps and throw them across your gear, making sure to cross them in an "X". Just like in the previous step, go to where the ends of the straps are and attach the ratchet part of the strap to the cross bars as you did with the long strap in step 1. If you do not have cross bars, just secure the ratchet S-hook to the long strap S-hook. You can wrap some duct tape around them for extra protection. Carefully begin ratcheting both straps together. Again, do not ratchet them too tightly at this point, just ratchet enough so that the straps lay flat against your load.

7. If you don't have cross or side bars, you can hook the s-hooks together.

• Step 7: The last step is to go back to the width-wise straps and ratchet more tightly. Then go to the length-wise straps and ratchet tightly. Repeat this until they are very snug and tight. Test the integrity of your gear by pushing against it. If you've done it right, your car should move but not the load.

• Here is a great video which shows how the ratchet part of the tie downs work. 

If this is your first time, start with a short drive, perhaps to your local gas station and check your gear. Be sure to stop from time to time to make sure everything is secure. If you hear any notice from above, pull over immediately and check. I am always so proud of myself whenever I do this. Also keep in mind this skill can come in handy if taking a road trip and you need to store luggage on the roof. That is how I discovered a cover tarp is essential after a trip to visit family in Erie PA resulted in wet, bug covered luggage. I hope this all makes sense. Feel free to comment with questions.

Little Pond Campground, Catskills

Located in the western Catskills, Little Pond Campground is a great introduction to single Mom camping. *Note that I've camped here several times and the photos used are from multiple trips, hence the age difference in my twins. And I want to give credit to Noah Gilbert for some of the wonderful photos here.

Little Pond

Nestled around Little Pond in the valley of Touchmenot Mountain, the campground contains 8 lakefront drive-to sites, and 7 remote lakefront sites, accessible by boat or by walking about 1/4 mile from the boat launch parking area. The remaining 53 sites are tucked into the woods to the south and southwest of the pond.

 Nice spacious campsites....

....with room to spare

Don't be deceived by the name, Little Pond is more of a small lake than a pond. There is a sandy beach area and with no waves and shallow water, the little ones will love splashing around. For the older kids, they can wade further out or just bask in the sun. Next to the beach is a dock where you can rent rowboats, canoes and paddle boats for a moderate fee. No motor boats are allowed which makes for a quiet experience and there is a boat launch where you can bring your own row boat or canoe. You can fish in the pond but a permit is required for anyone over 16 years of age. There are also volleyball & soccer courts and a horseshoe pit.

Woods behind the campsite

The rangers at Little Pond are very friendly and there is a junior naturalist program available. At the registration booth you can buy firewood and ice. There is a small convenience store a few miles away that sells basic groceries and camping supplies. If you need a supermarket, that's about a 40 minute drive away so be sure to bring enough food and snacks. 

Don't worry, only the primitive walk-in sites have pit toilets

There are several very clean and well maintained restrooms throughout the campground, all with flush toilets, sinks and a dish washing station. There are also drinkable water spigots throughout the campground. The 8 walk-in sites are much more primitive, each with a pit toilet. There is a recycling center and dump station though trailer camping seems to be at a minimum here and most sites will either contain tents or pop-ups.

  Hiking trail starts with the remains of an old fireplace (watch out for cobwebs)

Trail features include an old stone wall and cellar as well as a frog pond.

There's no playground on the campsite but a really lovely nature trail runs from one end of the campsite, up touchmenot mountain, ending down at the opposite end of the campground. The trail is just under 2 miles but the last part involves a very steep decent which is only advisable for children over 7-8 years old. The best way to start the trail is if you start near the boat launch parking area. Follow the yellow blazed trail, starting at a standalone fireplace in the middle of the road from a former farmhouse that was in the area. You'll pass along a creek, and up a steady incline through a very primeval looking pines. Along the way you'll pass an old stone wall and the remains of a cellar. These are fun for the kids to explore and it really makes them feel like they're discovering a lost and forgotten realm.

Primeval looking woods

Tiny frog in the frog pond

As you make your way up through the pines, you will pass near a meadow on your right, and the ground will level off a bit. Eventually, you'll come across an unmarked trail that veers off to the left. If you follow this a few yards you'll come upon a frog pond filled with all sorts of interesting creatures. You may even spot a turtle or two. Then head back to the trail and you will continue to an open field near the top of the mountain. Here you can see out for miles and it's a great photo opportunity. If you're lucky, there may be some ripe blackberries, which are totally edible, along the trail to provide a yummy snack. We were lucky enough to pick some and they made a great addition on top of some cornbread we baked in a dutch oven.

Top of the world!

You can continue along the trail a few more yards into woods however after that point the trail becomes more difficult. If you have little ones, this would be a good point to stop for lunch and walk back down the way you came. If you're up for more of a challenge, you can continue. Hiking downhill can be more strenuous than going uphill as you must position your feet to prevent yourself from sliding, and there are a few rock scrambles along the way which can be tricky, especially if there is moss on the rocks. Older kids would definitely enjoy the challenge, if Mom is up to the challenge as well. There are other hiking trails in the region that you can drive to as well as a few waterfalls and covered bridges.

All in all, Little Pond campground provides the perfect nature experience while still providing a level of comfort that can make the kids (and Mom) very happy. Little Pond has become a special place for me and my family.

Reserve Little Pond Campground

Distance: 3 hours

Age: Toddler+

Partner: N

Comfort: The Works

Privacy: Moderate

Swimming: Y

Boating: Y

Getting Started

Camping can be a relatively low cost vacation option, once you make the initial investment in basic gear. If you take your children on picnics or trips to the beach, you may be surprised to find that you already have some of the basics needed for camping. Click on the "Getting Started" tab near the top of the page to view a list of gear you will need.


If you're new to camping I suggest starting small. If you have never taken your children on a BBQ, try planning one for the day to see how it goes with the planning, hauling gear, cooking/grilling, etc. There are many locations in NYC where you can barbecue - be it Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows, Randall's Island or Van Cortlandt park. The following link will allow you to search for parks in any borough by feature: NYC Find a Park. 


Next, consider planning a 2-3 night trip relatively close to home so in an emergency you can pack up and leave quickly. If you are in the NYC area, there are a few campsites in Long Island which are close, like Wildwood or Heckscher. 


Cabin camping is a great way to introduce yourself to camping and requires less of an investment in gear since you don't need a tent. Many cabins come equipped with bunk beds or cots and a basic kitchen. Kampgrounds of America (KOA), Sebago cabins in Harriman Park or North-South lake in the Catskills are good places to start. If you have any single parent friends willing to go, it will always make things easier however don't be discouraged if your only option is to go it alone.


My initial camping gear investment was about $400, and that was five years ago. There are some economical ways you can save on gear. Consider finding used items for sale from craigslist or ebay. Some items you should buy new are the tent and the sleeping bag. Backpacks, grills, folding tables, camp chairs and other items can be bought used.


There are few camping outfitters in the New York metro area. Paragon Sporting goods is fairly well stocked with quality camping gear but they can be rather expensive, though you can sometimes find deals. Modell's sporting goods has some camping gear but their selection is severely limited. Target also has a better selection of camping gear than Modell's. If you want to buy gear online, here is a list of sites I often find deals on:

• www.amazon.com - The online superstore. They have nearly everything and offer good prices. If you're a prime member, 2-day shipping on many items is free which is great for the bulkier items. 
• www.sierratradingpost.com - This is a discount store for outdoor gear. Their selection is somewhat limited to discontinued or closeout items but you can get great deals.
• www.campmor.com - A New Jersey based outfitter they have a good selection and you can sometimes find good deals.
• www.cabelas.com - This is not an inexpensive store but they typically sell very good quality items here. If you want to buy something guaranteed to last, this is your store.
• www.rei.com Just like Cabelas, this Washington State based outfitter has been providing quality outdoor gear for decades. Again not inexpensive but high quality and they have an outlet store where you can find deals. Happily they are expected to open a store in NYC (in SoHo) in Fall 2011.

Camping does take careful planning but I have provided checklists on the Camping Checklist tab near the top of the blog. They provide a solid foundation and you can customize these to suit your particular trip.

Introduction

     I'm a mother to four daughters, two adult, two teenagers, originally from Brooklyn, New York. As a child growing up in the city, my father always tried to bring us out to nature as much as possible - from day trips to camping. I spent several years as a single mother and I wanted to introduce my children to the joy of nature as well. 
     I am now remarried and we have gone on several camping trips, but I have also gone camping as the only adult, and I have camped with other (spouseless) mothers. To ensure a successful camping trip with children, whether you have another adult with you or not, involves careful planning and work. It is totally worth the effort as the experience you can have bonding in nature with your children will stay with them for a lifetime.

     In my life before I gave birth to my twins, I would take my two older girls on road trips to Boston, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. After the twins came around, it became more difficult to afford the road trips so I decided to try camping as an alternative to our old family vacations. We've had many fun trips, and I take particular pride in trying to go beyond the "burgers & dogs" menu by cooking gourmet meals on the campsite.

     Now I have many seasons of camping under my belt - primarily car camping and I have learned a great deal. I hope to share my experience and expertise in future posts to help guide and inspire any reluctant mom's out there who are thinking of taking their kids to the great outdoors.