Imagine breathing in the salty air, sticking your toes in the warm sand, enjoying nights by the campfire and mornings admiring the waves. If this sounds like pure bliss to you, then read on to learn about standout beach camping destinations around the country. Beach camping is beloved year-round in warmer spots in the U.S., and it’s more popular during spring and summer when the weather heats up along the Eastern Seaboard. Right now is the time to book your beach camping trip for 2022 no matter where you are headed!
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1. Galveston Island State Park, Texas
Located an hour’s drive from Houston, Galveston Island State Park is a special beach camping destination with both bay and gulf coastlines. Spend your days fishing, swimming, or paddling the waters, or you can enjoy strolls along the wide sand dunes. There are also trails for biking and hiking, and plenty of gorgeous spots to picnic. Amenities include a nature center, showers, a fish cleaning station, and 29 campsites.
2. Charlestown Breachway, Rhode Island
This picturesque seaside park is located on Block Island Sound in the town of Charlestown. Campsites are nestled on the eastern side of the breachway, the man-made channel that connects Ninigret Pond with the Atlantic Ocean. The 75 RV campsites, which are available from early April through October, are just a short walk to the beach and panoramic views of Block Island Sound. Park visitors love the area for swimming, boating, and some of the best salt-water fishing in the area.
3. Indian River Marina, Delaware
Indian River Marina is one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most popular recreational destinations. With six miles of ocean and bay shoreline, visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, surf- and deep-sea fishing, surfing, paddling, and sailing on the water. On land, outdoor enthusiasts can go hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and much more. There are 12 fully furnished cottages open year-round at Indian River Inlet, right on the water with fantastic views.
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4. Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina
Carolina Beach State Park is beloved for its acres of wild, undeveloped land and shoreline. It is a blissful retreat for kayakers, boaters, hikers, bird watchers, and nature lovers, with its rare and unique plant and animal species that can only be found in this region of North Carolina. The terrain is traversed with sand trails navigating through the woods, sand dunes, Pocosin wetlands, and wide beaches. The diverse ecosystems comprising the park mean the area is home to thousands of native residents, including white-tailed deer, raccoons, gray squirrels, cottontails, anoles, gray foxes, and river otters. There are 89 campsites situated close to the coastline.
5. Sunset Bay State Park, Oregon
Situated along the sweeping Oregon coast, Sunset Bay State Park is characterized by sandy beaches protected by towering pine-cloaked cliffs. A network of hiking trails connects Sunset Bay with nearby state parks, giving hikers a wonderful chance to experience the pristine coastal forests, spectacular ocean views, and seasonal wildflowers from vantage points atop rugged bluffs. The park has picnic facilities and is just a short walk to the beach for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and boating. The campground has a total of 138 campsites open year-round, including 29 full hookup, 34 electrical, 66 individual tent sites and two group tent areas, as well as eight rustic yurts.
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6. Hampton Beach State Park (South), New Hampshire
Hampton Beach State Park offers plenty of recreation opportunities and ocean-front facilities situated along miles of sandy beach. The park’s Seashell complex includes an amphitheater, comfort station, park store, and 28 RV campsites with full hook-ups. Campers can take to the Atlantic for swimming, fishing, seasonal whale-watching, and other beach activities. The park is open year-round, with campsites open May through October.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.