Hither Hills State Park, Montauk

I LOVE Hither Hillls and have for 30+ years but am fed up with the frantic phone calling and frenetic mouse-clicking to get a spot for 9mos later. It sells out within 90 seconds (exactly!) and regardless of having 3 people calling at one time for weeks in a row, we were unable to reserve. How the same families seem to manage this year after year and tell us their family will be going from one spot to another for three weeks(!!!!) is unbelievable! I really wonder who they know!?! We're heading to NC coast. The people are much nicer there anyway!

What is the deal with furiously calling and going on line and anxiously typing away in a panic at EXACTLY 8:59 am, PRECISELY 9 months before your vacation week, and being informed at 9:01 am that all sites are sold out. Not only is that a logical and physical impossiblity, but (since Hither Hills is a government facilty) deserves to be investigated by the State DAs office. An accountability of the fees, pricing, and trickery by "Reserve America" need to be delved into as well. REMEMBER...This OUR park (NYS taxpayers) NOT RESERVE AMERICA'S.

You can't beat this place. I am now 21 years old and have been coming here every year since I was 5. There is nothing better than waking up right next to the beach. The bike paths are great for family bike rides and exploring the campgrounds. The CAPS host morning softball games for the children and evening softball game for adults. At night they have a family movie right outside of the general store. Spend a day or two out on the town. There is a lot to do for the family. Bring board games for rainy days. If it is your first time at the campgrounds learn from the people around you who have been going for years. They may prove to be helpful. If you don't like to wait on lines don't go to the showers around dinner. Everyone is coming back from the beach and wants to clean up before the night. Don't be negative! Remember that you are camping and not staying at a five star hotel. Just enjoy your time away from the cell phones, hectic schedules, and facebook!

I liked that there was always something to do. Wake up and go to beach, softball game later in the day, movies for the kids to watch, crafts for kids to make. I liked having a convenience store. Our first time was by tent but our next time will be camper. Neighbors are friendly, kids riding bikes, felt safe. Neighbors respectful of park quiet times. It's a beach - so expect sand in the restrooms area. Plan showers off peak. If you plan to go right before dinner, then you'll wait. We never left the campground during our 4 days there. Next year, we'll venture into town and go to the grocery store. I agree that the convenience store was overpriced. I think I spent $20 a day on icecream for 4. But, you pay for convenience. Campground staff was 'okay'. The volunteers that work from CAPS were nice and very friendly. Maybe an organized volleyball game. Overall, it felt like a luxury campground at a good price. Lots of NY campers -- but sun and relaxation made them a bit friendlier!

Of course, there are negatives and positives to everything. Overall, a very positive experience. You can wake up and go right to the beach. You will probably have to walk a ways though to where the lifeguards are which is a tiny, crowded area near the center of the campground. If you want to swim without supervision, you don't have to go there. The sites were spacious enough and most everyone was cosiderate of others sleep, etc. I absolutely hated not being able to have a campfire- what is camping with out a campfire? That was tough to understand. We made one in our hibachi anyway one night because my kids really wanted smores. Within about 5 mts. of lighting, we were told to let it extinguish and this was not allowed. If you aren't allowed a campfire, why doesn't the park have a big "public" one once per night, instead of only 1 night per week, which they quickly extinguished after 1 hour (from 8-9pm). I understand why they wouldn't want everyone to have one, but at least give us one under your supervision every night. My other suggestion would be bigger hot water heaters. It was always a gamble if we were going to get an ice cold shower. It is painful to hear young children screaming as there parents were saying," just a little longer and it will be over." Not a good experience. Also, make sure you bring a shower caddy with a handle that can be hooked onto a hook because there are no shelves in the showers. All the water gets splashed onto your things and there are usually some big hairballs in the drains, etc, from everyone showering ( there usually was always a line to wait in if you came from the beach from about 4:30pm- 7:30 pm. The people who work there really were not that nice- I agree with the others who wrote that. They know that they are always sold out and don't have to work too hard to please you. Overall, I still really enjoyed my time. It was so relaxing and I loved it.

Years ago this place was great. Now it's over. First of all, why does Reserve American have no competitors? How come nobody complains about it? The people that run the place are rude and generally unhappy. I called to change my arrival date by one day, and got his with a fine, other fees, and a lecture from the lady. Prices at the general store are a rip off, because they know they have a captive audience. (Ice at more the 4 dollars a bag?) The "Visitors Center" is hardly ever open (why not). On cloudy days, why doesn't one of the lifeguards open the visitor center - there seems to be a lot of them sitting around? There are no campfires aloud, even in contained bowls, and it does get cold there even on summer nights. The authorized green flag swimming are is tiny, even though they seem to be overstaffed in guards. None of the waterfountains worked. The showers are often cold. People who say that the "love hither hills" and "have been coming here for 40 years" and hiding the fact that they are just too cheap to get hotel rooms.

Great camp site. Wonderful decent caring people that work here. I had one of the best vacations of my life in a rented 31' trailer. Thanks for the memories.

Well maintained facilities. Great place to enjoy the ocean and beach away from the crowds. The general store carries almost anything you might have forgotten and even what you did not know you needed. I have never met any campers that were not friendly, smiled and said hello. Guest are usaully families and most seem to be like me, coming back year after year. I also wish this place was not so beautiful and popular... might make long spur of the moment weekends possible. Price is well worth the scenery alone, showers and other facilities well maintained and landscaping kept cozy with flowers and friendly staff.

Hither Hills use to be a wonderful family camp ground. One never needed to worry anything..On my last trip I had numerous possessions taken from my camp site and some shady characters hanging around..it was frightening...I gave up on the place ..It was horrid and dirty..

Your from New Hampshire ?What are you doing here with all the great camping places in NH? We say thank you for the kind comments but this is the place of great family camping. Many years have passed with our family and friends camping here together. Hither Hills is a well maintained and just outer sight in the evenings on the beach with a full moon and peace and quite. The rules are inforced,and that is why it is so special.The kids are all grown up now, but we will still meet here and great kydo's to the great staff that always has a big hello.We are all meeting this year(07) see you all soon PaPa Ray &LU Cote and the young adults Sara/Kelly/Kirsten