Camping and craft beer go hand in hand. It’s hard to deny the appeal of quenching your thirst with a cold brew after a hot day on the hiking trail. With the expansion of the craft brewery craze, it’s now easier than ever to find great beer flavor near your favorite campgrounds. We rounded up great East Coast campgrounds and paired them with cool local breweries to create well-rounded getaways filled with camping, outdoor activities and brewery visits. But before you head out on the beer trail, make sure to choose a designated driver, as safety should always be a priority.
Cheers to summer fun with these East Coast craft brewery camping trips.
1. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Connecticut
Brewery Pairing: Stony Creek Brewery
Driving Distance: 25 minutes
The perfect place to pitch a tent in the summertime, Hammonasset Beach State Park features a two-mile beach where water lovers go swimming, fishing, scuba diving and boating. The gigantic park campground is open seasonally and has 550 campsites that can accommodate any kind of camper, as well as shower and restroom facilities. Less than half an hour down the road, beer lovers will find the craft flavor they are looking for at Stony Creek Brewery. The brewery features a modern and beautiful indoor/outdoor taproom and an interactive game pit. Book now.
2. Falling Waters State Park, Florida
Brewery Pairing: Folklore Brewing & Meadery
Driving Distance: 45 minutes
Home to Florida’s highest waterfall, Falling Waters State Park is a quiet and serene escape from the heat of the Florida summer. The park’s campground has the highest elevation in the state of Florida (324 feet above sea level) and offers 24 campsites with water and electricity, as well as a bath house and dump station. When you want to grab a beer, venture over state lines to Folklore Brewing and Meadery in Alabama. Built on an old family farm, this down home brewery is described as having the “feel of a speakeasy in the back woods of South Alabama.” Offering porch games and live music along with great beer, you’ll quickly feel right at home. Book now.
3. Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina
Brewery Pairing: Good Hops Brewing
Driving Distance: 1 minute
Carolina Beach State Park draws ocean lovers, anglers and hikers with its wide beach, great marina and miles of hiking trails. The park’s campground is located in a wooded area and has 69 campsites with no hookups and 10 with full hookups, as well as four camper cabins. Restrooms and hot showers are available. After a long day on the water, head to Good Hops Brewing, a quick 1-minute drive away. With a relaxed taproom and cozy outdoor beer garden, Good Hops is a favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike. The brewery also has a 9-hole disc golf course to enjoy. Book now.
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4. James River State Park, Virginia
Brewery Pairing: Loose Shoe Brewing Company
Driving Distance: 35 minutes
Located along the James River in Virginia, James River State Park has three miles of shoreline and a full service canoe livery providing canoe, kayak and tube rentals. The park has a number of campgrounds, two of which are open year-round for primitive camping. Another campground at the park, Red Oak, has 30 seasonal campsites with electricity, water, bathhouses and laundry facilities. To check out the local beer scene, head to Loose Shoe Brewing Company, a comfortable taproom featuring 12 local craft brews. If you find yourself there on a Saturday night, make sure to stick around for open mic night or, better yet, sign yourself up to croon a tune about camping. Book now.
5. Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
Brewery Pairing: Crooked Hammock Brewery
Driving Distance: 15 minutes
Located on one of Delaware’s most popular beaches, Cape Henlopen State Park is a paradise of sand, surf and hiking and biking trails. The park’s campground is set among pine-covered dunes and has campsites that can accommodate big rigs as well as 20 walk-in tent campsites. A restroom and shower house is available to campers. After a long day in the sun, cool down with a cold one at Crooked Hammock Brewery. The brewery serves a “backyard cookout menu” of burgers and wings, and has a great selection of beer, lending the perfect backyard beach vibe to your camping trip. Book now.
6. Allegany State Park, New York
Brewery Pairing: Four Mile Brewing
Driving Distance: 25 minutes
Known for its two scenic lakes and great campground, Allegany State Park is a relaxing place to escape for the weekend. The park also features a swimming beach, fishing piers and canoe and kayak access points. The park’s campground has 189 campsites that can accommodate tent and RV campers, as well as bathroom and shower facilities. At the end of a long day outdoors, head to Four Mile Brewing, a 15-barrel brewery located in an old building that was originally a brew house before prohibition. In addition to great beer, this unique brewery also offers a bar food menu with casual favorites like pizza, quesadillas and nachos. Book now.
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7. Frances Slocum State Park, Pennsylvania
Brewery Pairing: Susquehanna Brewing Company
Driving Distance: 15 minutes
Frances Slocum State Park is home to Frances Slocum Lake, popular with boaters and fishermen. The park also has hiking and biking trails and a large day use area with a pool. The park campground is open seasonally and has 100 campsites. While most of the campsites are suitable for RVs, there are also 15 walk-in campsites that provide more privacy. After spending the day on the lake, head to Susquehanna Brewing Company for a craft beer. The tasting room serves up delicious brews and bar snacks, and even offers free brewery tours on the weekends. Book now.
8. Bear Brook State Park, New Hampshire
Brewery Pairing: Oddball Brewery
Driving Distance: 12 minutes
One of New Hampshire’s largest state parks, Bear Brooks is a 10,000-acre preserve with plenty of outdoor activities. There are over 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails and an archery range to enjoy, as well as a 101-site campground for both RVs and tents situated under a grove of towering trees. Just a few short minutes away, beer lovers will find Oddball Brewery, a weekends-only taproom serving traditional and out-of-the-box beers. Explore, taste, relax, repeat. Book now.
9. Skidaway Island State Park, Georgia
Brewery Pairing: Moon River Brewing Company
Driving Distance: 20 minutes
Skidaway Island State Park is located next to Skidaway Narrows, a part of the intercoastal waterway system. Maritime forest trails keep hikers busy and the campground, nestled under the live oaks and Spanish moss, is a popular place to pitch a tent. Offering 87 tent, trailer and RV sites, as well as restrooms and showers, it’s the perfect home base for experiencing both the Georgia coast and Savannah. Just 20 minutes away, downtown Savannah has a number of local breweries to choose from. At Moon River Brewing Company, thirsty hikers will find a great beer and food selection at the (haunted!) Moon River Brewing Company restaurant. Outside, a large beer garden is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day of trail exploration. Book now.
Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!