35 Beach Camping Sites in the U.S. That Will Take Your Breath Away
Ocean waves are the best lullaby.
When the hustle and bustle of everyday life starts to feel overwhelming, few things sound better than tucking away for a few days in a coastal haven—but what about going one step further, and planning a stay directly on the beach? If you want to hear the waves as your lullaby while you enjoy an outdoor playground from sunrise to sunset, there’s no better way to experience the great outdoors than camping on the beach.
From the sun-kissed shores of California's prettiest towns to the untouched beauty of the East Coast, the United States is home to many breathtaking beach camping destinations. Traverse the sandy shores of Assateague Island National Seashore, where wild horses roam freely, or explore the dramatic cliffs of Oregon’s Cape Blanco State Park, where panoramic vistas and rugged landscapes paint a picture of rugged beauty. Or, venture down to the Gulf Coast, where the pristine beaches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore beckon with turquoise waters and abundant wildlife.
Know before you go: Many beach camping destinations require permits or reservations. So plan ahead before you roll up and pitch a tent on the beach—and then grab your gear and head to one of the 35 best beach camping sites across the country, carefully selected here for their unique natural splendor, ample amenities, and the unforgettable experiences they offer.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
This rural mid-Atlantic island is a haven for nature lovers, as it's home to more than 300 species of birds—and a famous herd of wild ponies. Beach camping here is a highlight, but visitors can also enjoy biking and walking paths around the island. Don’t forget your binoculars! Note that camping is only available within the Maryland area of the preserve.
Big Sur, California
With 90 miles of pristine coastline, visitors can enjoy various activities, from swimming, surfing, hiking, and fishing. Several campgrounds in the area, including Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Plaskett Creek Campground, offer fantastic views and access to hiking trails. Campers can also take a short drive to explore nearby attractions, such as Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Bahia Honda State Park, Florida
This state park in the Florida Keys offers everything from snorkeling to stargazing and beautiful white sand beaches. There are 80 campsites available, most of which offer electric and water hookups. Other amenities include restrooms, hot showers, a visitor center, amphitheater, and restaurant.
Olympic National Park, Washington
From its rugged coastline to snow-capped mountaintops, Olympic National Park boasts diverse landscapes to explore. Must-do activities include the Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Falls, and if you're up for it, consider embarking on the strenuous 17-mile Hoh River Trail.
Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
The Padre Island National Seashore offers nearly 70 miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Nature lovers can observe sea turtles nesting as well as migratory bird habitats. The park offers primitive, developed, and group camping options with five campgrounds to choose from that are open year-round.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
The natural wonderland that is Cumberland Island National Seashore features beaches, dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. The island's wildlife includes wild horses, loggerhead sea turtles, and migratory birds, and its rich history is evident in the many ruins and structures left behind by previous inhabitants. Make sure to bring enough supplies, as there are no stores (or other amenities) on this island, which is only accessible by ferry.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses the northeast shore of Lake Michigan in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, including the South and North Manitou islands. The park is celebrated for the dunes at the Dune Climb and beaches like Platte River Point, which includes a campground open year-round and features hookups for RVs, tent sites, as well as a backcountry campground for adventurous types.
Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Pitch your tent among the dunes at this beautiful North Carolina beach camping site, surrounded by around 56 miles of unspoiled beaches. Take in the historic 163-foot tall Cape Lookout Lighthouse—and when it's open for climbing, check out the panoramic view of the island.
Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii
Graced with crystal-clear waters and excellent snorkeling conditions, Spencer Beach Park is situated on the Big Island's Kohala Coast. Camping permits are required, and amenities such as restrooms and showers are available.
Pismo State Beach, California
There are two campgrounds at Pismo State Beach: North Beach, just off Highway 1 and behind some dunes near the beach, and Oceano Dunes, near Oceano Lagoon and a short distance from the shoreline. Campers can enjoy swimming, hiking, surfing, clam digging, fishing, and bird watching, and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area is popular for off-roading.
First Landing State Park, Virginia
Set on the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing has a wide sandy beach, dunes, and maritime forests, and happens to be known as the site where English colonists first landed in 1607. In addition to cabins and yurts, there are plenty of primitive camping options—as well as creature comforts like restrooms, showers, and a camp store.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi
The Gulf Islands National Seashore stretches more than 150 miles (big enough to span two states!) and features stunningly secluded beaches. Paddle around the 400 acres of bayou, or explore the historic forts and hiking trails along the water. The seashore has two developed campgrounds—one in Mississippi and one in Florida—complete with fire rings and grills, restrooms, and picnic tables.
Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
A stone’s throw from Boston, Massachusetts' Cape Cod National Seashore is home to stunning beaches, quaint small towns, and ample camping opportunities by sand and surf. While tent and trailer camping is prohibited here, vehicle camping is allowed. If you’re hoping to camp for the Fourth of July or Labor Day, don’t forget to make reservations well in advance.
Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina
South Carolina’s most popular state park draws more than a million visitors each year, and with its sandy white beaches and incredible land and marine wildlife, it's easy to see why. Landmarks include the historic namesake lighthouse, first built in 1859. The park offers 100 campsites with water and electrical hookups (note the two-night minimum).
Point Reyes National Seashore, California
A popular destination for vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts, Point Reyes features sprawling grasslands, lush forests, and winding hiking trails. Point Reyes National Seashore provides backcountry hike-in and boat-in camping only, so RV and car campers can find nearby sites along the shore in Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina
More than 50 miles of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore coastline have beach access points, making it an ideal destination for families, group trips, and regular beachgoers. There are four beach-adjacent campgrounds within the park with spots for tents, trailers, and RVs, and it's best to reserve online ahead of time.
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida
This popular coastal state park offers RV and tent camping, cabins, and 2,200 acres of nature to explore. Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, is accessible by boat ramp and provides paddling and kayaking opportunities in brackish waters. Fishing is available in both fresh water and saltwater, and trails allow for hiking and biking amongst dunes, salt marshes, and a thick forest of magnolias, scrub oaks, and pine flatwoods, where visitors can observe birds and wildlife.
Kalaloch Campground, Washington
Camping at Kalaloch and South Beach are the only options for the southern coast of Olympic National Park. Open year-round, Kalaloch has 175 campsites, and it's best to reserve early as sites fill up quickly—especially during summer. South Beach, just south of Kalaloch, has a smaller selection of 50 campsites, and is open from Memorial Day to late September.
St. George Island State Park, Florida
St. George Island State Park provides 9 miles of untouched white sand beach in Florida with plenty to do, whether that's basking in the sun, swimming, shelling, canoeing, kayaking (rentals are provided), boating, fishing, and/or hiking. There are 60 modern family campsites with water and electricity, restrooms, and showers; a primitive camping and youth group camping site is also available.
San Clemente State Beach, California
San Clemente State Beach has been popular among visitors since 1937. Its mile-long stretch of shore, curling ocean surf, and steep bluffs make it an ideal escape from inland heat and nearby cities. An RV campground provides water, electrical, and sewage hookups, while the tent area offers fire pits, tables, shade, and nearby water.
Laura Ratliff is a New York City-based writer, editor, and runner. Laura's writing expertise spans numerous topics, ranging from travel and food and drink to reported pieces covering political and human rights issues. She has previously worked at Architectural Digest, Bloomberg News, and Condé Nast Traveler and was most recently the senior editorial director at TripSavvy. Like many of us, Laura was bitten by the running bug later in life, after years of claiming to "hate running." Her favorite marathon is Big Sur.
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