2025 GROUP CAMPING CLUB PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS & INFORMATION
Group camping offers organized adult group camping clubs the convenience of camping close together in one large area without having to make individual reservations. Group Camping Applications are required for groups that would like to use our Group Camping campground areas and meet the below qualifications. Applications must be received a minimum of 14 days prior to the requested date.
1. GROUP CAMPING BASICS– Group camping areas are located in Blydenburgh County Park, Cathedral Pines County Park, Cedar Point County Park, Indian Island County Park, Sears Bellows County Park, and Southaven County Park. Group areas contain between 10 and 20 sites, see site capacity below before applying to ensure your group will fit in the requested areas. The camping in-Season is from April 1st – November 11th; the camping off-season is from November 12th – March 31st.
2. GROUP CAMPING FEES- Beginning January 1, 2025, groups will be renting the entire group area based on the number of sites in the group area chosen and the number of nights requested for the reservation. Group areas must be paid in full upon reservation, there is no deposit. For more information on the 2025 fees, please see the Parks Department website.
3. GROUP CAMPING LOTTERY- Suffolk County Resident-based adult group camping clubs may submit one (1) Group Camping Lottery Application each year beginning January 1st for the opportunity to secure a preferred date/location for their group. Applications will be drawn at random, and reservation will be made based on first or second choice selections. Additional Group Camping Applications will be accepted starting March 1st . Applications must be paid within five (5) business days of receiving confirmation of Lottery Win email in order to avoid reservation termination.
4. PERIOD OF STAY- Groups are not permitted to stay more than seven (7) nights in a campground (14-night stays are only allowed at Cedar Point, Blydenburgh, and Sears Bellows). There is a three (3)-night minimum on all group camping reservations, holiday weekends are a four (4)-night minimum reservation. Individuals may camp with different groups, but the Parks Department reserves the right to deny groups or individuals that may be abusing the Period of Stay regulations.
5. GROUP CHECK-INS- Group leaders must check in upon arrival to the campground and provide a group camping roster to campground staff listing all families that are staying with your group. As group members arrive, they are required to check-in with the park attendant and provide a valid government issued photo ID and proof of valid vehicle registration and inspection documents. If the group leader is not the first person to check in, they may designate a member who must provide the roster to campground staff when they check in.
6. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS – Non-Suffolk County Resident based group camping clubs must wait to submit applications until the lottery is over. Submissions may be submitted starting March 1.
7. CAMPFIRE REGULATIONS – All fires must be contained within designated fire rings or as directed by park staff. Fires must be attended to at all times and be thoroughly extinguished before site departure. Use only firewood Group Camping Club Permit Instructions & Information Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation Page 2 of 5 12-2023 found in piles at site or on the ground. Do not bring any scrap lumber for burning. Do not dispose of firewood and/or ashes into the woods from designated fire ring. Do not cut, remove, or damage any standing trees, shrubs, or other vegetation for burning.
8. PROHIBITTED ALCOHOL USAGE – The use of alcohol by anyone under the age of 21 is strictly prohibited in all park locations. Alcohol use by persons over the age of 21 is only permitted in the designated Picnic Areas with proof of an approved Group Event Permit and a signed and notarized Hold Harmless Agreement. No alcohol of any kind should be seen in any of the Group Camping Areas; Suffolk County Park Rangers will remove groups that violate the rules.
9. PAYMENT– Payment can be submitted in person, using a credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover), certified funds or cash payments. Online payments via credit card can be made using the reservation system portal. To pay online, payment instructions will be provided via email once your reservation is confirmed. Personal checks will not be accepted.
10. CANCELATIONS- Each date/park choice is treated as a reservation, and you will be charged the appropriate reservation fees if your dates are available. Reservations can not be modified and if you choose to cancel/modify your reservation, your group will be charged the standard cancelation fees. Reservations will not be refunded due to inclement weather unless closures were made by the Parks Department directly.
11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – Organized Adult Group Camping Club Leaders should be the only person filing for and/or inquiring about their requested application. Other Club Members participating in Group Camping events must contact the Group Club Leader for more information, not Suffolk County Parks.
Group Event Permit Application or Cathedral Pines Activity Building Application would be required to be submitted alongside the Group Camping Club Permit Application if you are requesting to use the Activity Building, Picnic Areas, Pavilions, etc.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. Application submissions will only be accepted through the online form. Applications must be submitted at least two (2) weeks prior to the first day of the camping reservation. An email confirmation will be sent within seven (7) business days of receipt. Payment must be submitted within five (5) business days of the confirmation email reserving the group camping area.
