Finding a decent place to take care of RV necessities on Long Island can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The area is crowded, private campgrounds are expensive, and truck stops with full services are few and far between. That's why stumbling upon a spot like Battle Row County Park in Old Bethpage is such a relief. It’s one of those hidden gems that you almost want to keep to yourself. Tucked away in a quiet, wooded corner of Nassau County, this park offers a peaceful green oasis that feels a world away from the hustle of the nearby Long Island Expressway.
The location is really what makes this place special. It's situated right off Exit 48 of the LIE, which makes it incredibly convenient whether you're heading east toward the beaches of the Hamptons or west toward the bright lights of Manhattan. It serves as a perfect, tranquil basecamp for exploring the entire region. Right next door, you have the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a fantastic living history museum where you can wander through a recreated 19th-century village. It's a wonderful, low-key way to spend an afternoon. And for the golfers in the crew, the world-famous Bethpage State Park is just a stone's throw away. This is the home of the legendary Black Course, a challenge for even the most skilled players and a site of major tournaments.
The dump station experience here is typical of a county-run campground. It's not a 24/7 drive-up affair like a truck stop. Use of the facilities is generally limited to registered campers, so this is a spot you need to plan for. I would strongly advise calling the park office well in advance to confirm their policy on day-use or dump-only access. It can change depending on the season and how full the park is. If you are staying here, the process is simple. You'll check in at the ranger station, likely get a key or a code for the gate, and then follow the well-marked paved roads to the designated dump area. It’s usually a clean and well-maintained station, but because this is a park that values its quiet atmosphere, you’ll want to plan on taking care of your tank duties during the middle of the day to avoid disturbing other campers.
When it comes to amenities, Battle Row offers a solid, if basic, set of services. You’ll find electric hookups at the sites, with both 30 and 50 amp service available, which is a lifesaver during the humid Long Island summers or chilly shoulder seasons. There’s also potable water available at the sites or at the central bathhouse, so you can easily fill your fresh water tank before you leave. The park has showers and laundry facilities which, according to fellow travelers, are kept clean and functional. One area where you need to be prepared is trash disposal. The policy isn't always clear, so it's best to assume you may need to pack out your own trash. Bring some heavy-duty bags just in case and confirm the rules when you check in.
Now for the most important piece of information for many RVers: Battle Row County Park has a strict no-pets-allowed policy. This is a dealbreaker for a huge portion of the RV community, including me and my four-legged co-pilot. If you travel with pets, you'll need to look elsewhere or make arrangements for boarding. It’s a county regulation, so there are no exceptions. Additionally, you won’t find any on-site fuel, propane, or repair services. You’ll need to take care of all of that before you enter the park. The nearest full-service plaza is a few miles away in Hicksville, so plan a stop there to top off your tanks before you settle in.
As for cost, you can expect the standard county park model. Nassau County residents get a significant discount, while out-of-county visitors pay a higher rate. The exact fees aren't usually posted online, so a phone call to the park office is essential to get current pricing for both campsites and any potential dump-only fees. Even at the out-of-county rate, it generally represents a fantastic value compared to the sky-high prices of private RV parks in the area.
If you plan to stay, especially on a summer weekend, you need to book your site far in advance, sometimes up to six months ahead. The sites themselves are lovely and shaded by mature oak trees, but the ground can be a bit uneven. It’s a good idea to have some leveling blocks handy. The park roads can also have some tight turns, and with all the old trees, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your overhead clearance, especially in a taller Class A or fifth wheel.
In the end, Battle Row County Park is a fantastic option for a specific type of RVer. If you're traveling without pets and you’re looking for a quiet, affordable, and centrally located base to explore Long Island and New York City, it’s hard to beat. The beautiful, shaded sites and proximity to history and nature are a huge plus. But the no-pets rule and the need for careful planning around reservations and amenities mean it’s not a spontaneous, pull-in-and-dump kind of place. It's a planner's park, and for those who fit the bill, it's a wonderful secret worth discovering
90 Battle Row, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
(516) 572-8690
Cost: Price not available
Category: Park
Has Water
nassaucountyny.gov/2811/Battle-Row-Campground