Camping is always on the top list for weekend plans and short trips with family or friends. Camp at the beach is always an effective way for people to connect in their circle, as well as one of the best ways to reduce stress and get pleasure between the beauty of nature.
So, in this article, I would like to recommend the best beaches for camping in the USA for those who are intending to add camping into their next plans.
1. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park - Hawaii
Located in the northwest side of Hawaii, Nāpali Coast is a 16 mile (26 km) coastline which is one of the most beautiful coastlines and wilderness areas in the world. Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park possesses a stunning view of alluring beaches, towering sea cliffs, and vertiginous and rugged valleys carved from swift streams and waterfalls. This is on top destinations for those who observe nature beauty.
Road tripping around Hawaii, the smaller northern beaches are great to catch some sun and watch local surfers
Hanakoa and Kalalau are the only two authorized areas for camping, however, Milolii Campground in Kalalau trail is the most famous. Before arriving at the campground, visitors have to hike through a long great-view trail, so a good preparation of travel and camping gears is necessary, particularly water which is not provided for visitors on the site. Additionally, you can access Milolii by only boat or kayak from May 15 through September 7 with Camping Permits which you can apply online for 20$ per person per night.
2. Kalaloch Campground - Washington
Kalaloch Campground lies within the Olympic National Park and is located on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. The main campground is set amidst the coastal forest and mostly overlooks the water. Due to the high manual rainfall, the forest strongly thrives, creating a wild and mysterious place with exotic shaped trees. There are various paths to accessing the pristine beaches. It is also a safe refuge for numerous species such as western gulls, bald eagles, sea seals, as well as colorful anemones and sea stars in tidepools. This campsite is a great destination for those who love the primitive and wild beauty of nature.
Kalaloch Campground is spacious, up to 175 campsites within the forest along with many lodges located right on the beach. The entrance fee is $15 for individuals entering on foot or bicycle, $25 for individuals entering on a motorcycle, and $30 for a private, non-commercial vehicle, however, you should notice that the park is full of huge trees and roots which is hard to access by large vehicles. You can seek for more information or online reservation here.
3. Apostle Islands - Wisconsin
The Apostle Islands Area Campground is located just 1 mile south of the City of Bayfield, Wisconsin. This is a beautiful windswept coastline, adorned with exotic rock formations and mysterious caves carved by nature. And on the mainland, there is one amazing campsite - the Apostle Islands Area Campground which is only accessible by kayak or a 6-mile hike on the Lakeshore Trail.
This is a great spacious campsite full of amenities and especially suitable for families with kids due to its quiet hours at night, and pets allowed. In the area, there are numerous interesting activities included. You could join in a world-class fishing trip on Lake Superior, take a kayaking or sailing tour to discover sea caves, go hiking or biking in the mountains, or visit the eight historic lighthouses on the island. Remarkably, you could enjoy a concert at the Big Top Chautauqua - a big blue tent!
This campground does not require a permit, but you need to book a reservation beforehand because it is easy to get full all around the year.
4. Wai’anapanapa State Park - Hawaii
Located in Maui island, 52.8 miles (3-hour drive) east of Kahului Airport, Wai’anapanapa State Park is one of our best beaches to visit in Hawaii and is a wildly beautiful low-cliffed volcanic coastline. As its name meaning “glistening water”, Wai’anapanapa is very famous for its black sand beach and freshwater caves featured with natural stone arch, sea stacks, and blowholes, along with its native Hala forest. This camping beach brings out the solitude and respite from modern life for visitors.
Wai'anapanapa State Park. Maui.
Wai’anapanapa is a massive campsite with bathrooms, drinking water, an outdoor beach shower, fire pits, and various wonderful hikes around. Besides ground tents and lodgings, Campervans are also allowed in the camping site, however, you must have a valid Campervan Permit. You can find the rate for each accommodation as well as get permits online here.
5. Moffitt Beach Campground - New York
Moffitt Beach Campground is located near Sacandaga Lake, in the central portion of Adirondack Park. Campsites are set under the shadow of 70 to 80 feet tall white pine and hardwood trees, and most of the sites are waterfront. Camping in Moffitt Beach Campground, visitors could have the best scenes of the peaceful Sacandaga Lake and the pristine sun shining beach.
Moffitt Beach Campground maintains 261 campsites including tent sites and RVs sites, providing picnic areas with tables, fireplaces, and firewood sales. There are boat launch and a guarded natural sand beach, supporting water activities such as paddle boating, canoeing, fishing, sailing, and water skiing. This place also operates a Junior Naturalist Program that allows children to test their environmental knowledge while teaching them more about New York State's environment. Overall, this campground is a lively and active place, especially for groups with children to visit.
Access ReserveAmerica for more details and reservations.
6. Homer Spit Campground - Alaska
Homer Spit Campground is located 230 miles southwest of Anchorage, on a tiny finger of land extending out into Kachemak Bay. Due to its prime location, Homer Spit has wide views of the surrounding, from the bay of the famous “Halibut Fishing Capital of the World”, to the wonderful snow-capped mountains, and of course the dazzling ocean scene.
Not only nature lovers, but wildlife observers would also definitely be captivated by Homer Spit Campground. Kachemak Bay is blessed with a large range of marine species, from salmon, epic halibut, to whales. There are also rare wild animals such as bears, otters, and particularly eagles - the famous character of this campsite.
If you want to go camping and enjoy the glorious sunrise on the ocean of Alaska, you could consider sending a reservation request to Homer Spit Campground.
7. Hoffmaster State Park - Michigan
Hoffmaster State Park is located at the southwest corner of Muskegon, and at the northwest corner of Ottawa, Michigan. This place is vast as it includes 1,100 acres of forest-covered sand dunes along three miles of Lake Michigan sandy beach, with 293 shaded campsites, picnicking, swimming, ten miles of hiking trails, and snowshoeing.
Due to its main terrain of sand dunes, this campsite is surely tough! However, the solitude atmosphere in the white pines and black oak forests, and pristine charm of white sandy beaches at Hoffmaster State Park is absolutely worth it.
The campsite is open all year round, but an early reservation is recommended for good amenities.
8. Sea Camp, Cumberland Island National Seashore - Georgia
Sea Camp Campground is located on Cumberland Island and is only accessible by boat. The island includes a designated wilderness area, undeveloped beaches, historic sites, cultural ruins, critical habitat, nesting areas, and numerous plant and animal communities. Therefore, this campground maintains a variety of five camping options, stretching from the sea campsite ½ mile from the dock, through the Hickory hill inside the forest, to Brickhill river where you can see dolphins and manatees.
Sea Camp is an amazing campground for all campers with different interests. But be noticed that there are several non-potable water areas in the campground, lots of bugs in wetland areas, and you can not set fire on the beaches, so be well prepared! And do not forget that all the campsites in Cumberland island require a reservation and printed permit, which you can apply online here.
9. Hammock Beach State Park - North Carolina
Located in Bear Island, Onslow County, in North Carolina, Hammock Beach is one of the most unspoiled beaches on the Atlantic coast. It offers breathtaking views of golden beaches and 300 acres of nature preserves, including green and gold grasses, salt marshes, and a diversity of tiny specimens of marine life in tidal pools and mudflats, as well as laughing gulls and sandpipers, are everywhere to be seen. Hammock Beach is an amazingly tranquil and uncrowded campground.
Hammock Beach Campground is accessible only by ferry, private boat, or paddling. There are only 17 campsites in Hammock Beach, all campsites are Primitive type. Water, indoor and outdoor showers, picnic tables, lifeguards, and other facilities are available on the island. However, fires are not permitted, and visitors must clean all trash by themselves. The rate begins at 12$ per night. Campers must register and get permits in the park office on the mainland before going to Bear Island. Read the campground’s policies and reservation information here.
10. Hunting Island State Park - South Carolina
Hunting Island is a 5,000-acre (20 km2) secluded semitropical barrier island located 15 miles (24 km) east of Beaufort, South Carolina. The charm of this destination is a natural combination of pristine beaches, marshes, forests, a saltwater lagoon, and the ocean. This campground is also a home of various types of species, including marine kinds such as seahorse, barracuda, loggerhead turtles; terrestrial types like alligators, deers, raccoons; and hundreds of different species of birds.
The campground in Hunting Island is really spacious, RV Campsites are included, however, pets are not allowed. Each site is conveniently equipped with water and electrical hookups, even hot water and wifi are available. For more information on the camping reservation policies of Hunting Island State Park, please click here.
11. Bahia Honda State Park - Florida
Located along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Bahia Honda is one of the most beautiful beaches in Florida. This campground is well known for palm-lined and gin-clear water beaches, in harmony with balmy sea breezes and glittering sunshine. Bahia Honda brings out the great sensation as a lost tropical island for the campers.
Besides taking photos of featured plants as well as wading birds and shorebirds on the island, visitors could also rent kayak or snorkeling equipment to explore the amazing underwater world of marine life involving coral beds, queen conchs, spiny lobster, and lots of tropical fishes.
Bahia Honda State Park offers a variety of camping rigs from large RVs to small tents, and even hammocks, all convenient with electricity, water, and other amenities. Book online for your reservation, the rate begins from 38$ per night.
Bahia Honda State Park
12. Assateague Island National Seashore - Maryland
There are two entrances to Assateague Island, 1/4 mile east of Chincoteague and 8 miles from Ocean City, Maryland. Assateague Island National Seashore is operating in order to protect the island’s splendor as well as to provide recreational enjoyment.
Assateague Island is most suitable for campers seeking excitement in discovering the lively wildlife. Camping at Assateague Island, you could watch herds of horses rolling in dune grass or roaming freely around you in a very close distance! However, petting or feeding horses are prohibited.
Besides oceanside and bayside for tent and RVs campers, the Assateague campground also offers horse camping services for visitors searching for new experiences. Horse camp is limited in capacity, so make sure to make an early reservation if you want to try this iconic camp at Recreation.gov
13. Sea Rim State Park - Texas
Sea Rim is a wonderful combination of 5.2 miles of Gulf shoreline and 4,000 acres of marshlands - this is where salt marsh meets the sea! Due to its natural condition, the park has many different kinds of landscapes, including white beaches, lagoons, wetlands, salt meadows, brackish and intermediate marshes. Therefore, nature observing activities are diverse with a variety of specimens from microscopic marine life to birds and mammals. Sea Rim State Park is a haven for nature-loving campers!
Sea Rim State Park has three groups of campsites: 15 campsites with electricity, located next to the beach access and the dune boardwalk, charging 20$ per night; 75 non-reservable primitive campsites for drive-up (horse camping is available) for 10$ nightly; and 1 floating primitive campsite located in the park’s marsh for 15$ per night. Some featured activities of this campground are fishing in the surf or marshes, kayaking, and canoeing, horseback riding, birding or watching wild animals such as American alligators, mink, river otter, raccoon, opossum, and coyote. Go to Sea Rim Campground to check availability and make a reservation for this fascinating campground.
14. South Carlsbad State Beach - California
Located at the south of Carlsbad, San Diego, South Carlsbad State Beach is a 3 mile long beautiful and clean beach with white sand, clear blue water, palm trees, and lots of large round pebbles. The campsites are set high above the beach on a bluff giving campers a wide view of the glittering ocean and the possibility of watching dolphins jumping out of the waves. From the campground, a wooden staircase leads visitors to the sand beach, it is also a perfect spot for taking photos or watching the sunrise.
South Carlsbad State Beach by rlonas
South Carlsbad Beach Campground consists of 233 campsites with a table, fire ring and grill, both tent and RV are available. There is a camp store inside which not only provides food and beverage but also sells beach sports supplies. Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, surf fishing, and beachcombing are active on South Carlsbad Beach. Click here for an early reservation for your trip.
15. Grand Isle State Park - Louisiana
This camping park is located at the northeast end of Grand Isle, only two hours driving from New Orleans, near the heart of some of Louisiana’s most productive fisheries. Besides admiring the stunning view of the sunrise on the beach or dock, visitors are recommended to taste the delicious local seafood in the dock, try kayak fishing, or join in amusing events and festivals in a nearby village (if you go to Grand Isle in July).
There are 45 pull-through sites in the main campground of Grand Isle State Park, each site has electrical and water hook-ups. Additionally, Grand Isle Park also consists of 14 unimproved (no water or electricity) tent camping sites on the beach.
Reservations must be made 2 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 13 Month(s) in advance, with the price from 3$ per night. Access ReserveAmerica for more details and bookings.
Conclusion
With all the above information, I hope you could choose a suitable campground for your next plans with your close buddies.
Thank you and wish you a nice trip!