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Sometimes you need to go to the end of the earth to find satisfaction. That’s when beach campgrounds are the perfect solution. But let’s be honest; Some of them are excellent, while others leave a lot to be desired.
We’ve done the hard work finding the best beach campgrounds in the U.S. If you have a more active lifestyle, these should fit the bill for you, too. Most of them are in state parks, but there are a couple of private campgrounds included, too. One of them is part of a national seashore on the Gulf of Mexico. They allow you to enjoy your valuable time along the shore.
Are you ready to hit the beach? Let’s go!
10 Of the Best Beach Campgrounds in the US
For a feeling of serenity, there’s nothing like gazing out at open waters. Most of our top beaches are on the ocean, but one of them is along another significant coastline.
1. Hampton Beach State Park, New Hampshire
New Hampshire is mostly landlocked, but it does have 18 miles of Atlantic Ocean waterfront. That’s where you’ll find this top-notch state park adjacent to a delightful beach community.
Address: 160 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842
This 50-acre park has the only RV campground on New Hampshire’s shore. It’s a parking lot-style campground open only to rigs compatible with full hookups. If you get a good spot, you can do whale watching right from your site.
There’s also a dedicated swimming area with lifeguards and bathhouses. It’s conveniently close to the Hampton Beach resort area, which has a boardwalk, arcades, and a carnival feel. You can bring your pets from October through April.
2. Hoffmaster State Park, Michigan
With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, Michigan is home to many outstanding beaches. This one is on Lake Michigan along the western coast and is 40 miles from Grand Rapids.
Address: 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444
This well-maintained state park has three miles of sand beach and backs up to Little Black Creek. It’s a prominent place, with several loops and nearly 300 sites. Most are roomy and shaded, and there are hiking trails along the creek and among the towering dunes.
There is electricity, but no sewer or water connections. An observation deck called the Dune Climb Stairway offers panoramic views of this gorgeous area.
3. Padre Island National Seashore, Texas
There is a Padre Island and a South Padre Island, and they are very different. This one, offshore of Corpus Christi, is more natural and undisturbed, while its southern counterpart can be a bit rowdy.
Address: 20420 Park Rd 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Texas beaches are open to vehicles so that you can camp close to the Gulf of Mexico. This national seashore has some pristine areas, including Laguna Madre, known for its rocky shoreline.
You can enjoy saltwater fishing here, as well as boating, windsurfing, and scuba diving. It’s also a trendy area with birdwatchers. There are no amenities other than restrooms, a dump station, and a water filling station.
Keep in Mind: Padre Island National Seashore isn’t the only name in the game. Check out these 10 National Seashores Everyone Needs to Visit at Least Once.
4. Carpinteria State Beach, California
Some of California’s most beautiful places are the small communities on the Pacific Coast. This state beach campground is south of Santa Barbara, near the Channel Islands.
Address: 205 Palm Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013
We love Carpinteria Beach because it has excellent water access and is close to Santa Barbara and Venice. There’s about a mile of the sand beach below the rocky bluffs, perfect for swimming, surfing, or fishing. You can also do beachcombing and explore the wonders of the many tide pools.
There are 216 sites with asphalt pads, full hookups, a dump station, and bathrooms and showers. It can be a little cramped for rigs up to 35 feet long.
5. Beverly Beach State Park, Oregon
Central Oregon’s rugged coastline is spellbinding, and we love quaint seaside cities like Newport. There are many fun things to do there if you can pull yourself away from the forest and the sea.
Address: 198 NE 123rd St, Newport, OR 97365
There’s a bit of a walk to the beach, but what a gorgeous, pleasant stroll it is. The forested campsites are far enough from the shore to be sheltered nicely from the winds.
There are 128 sites with asphalt pads and full hookups, along with bathrooms and showers. A few of the sites are pull-throughs. As for attractions in nearby Newport, the Oregon Coast Aquarium doesn’t disappoint. You can also catch sea lions congregating at the docks on Yaquina Bay.
6. Henderson Beach State Park
Florida has so many beach campgrounds that it’s almost unbelievable. This one on the gulf is one of our favorites for many reasons.
Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
This is one of Florida’s busiest beach campgrounds, so accommodations are sometimes hard to come by. There are 60 level sites at this well-run state park, in the shadow of 30-foot-high white-sand dunes. It’s an easy walk via the boardwalk to the beach.
It’s close to the highway, and there are many shopping and dining opportunities nearby. The campground has gravel pads, partial hookups, and a dump station, along with a laundry and bathrooms with showers.
7. Rivers End Campground & RV Park
Just a 20-minute drive from Savannah, Tybee Island has a friendly and welcoming vibe. Drive to the east on U.S. 80 and slow down when you see the iconic colonial-era lighthouse.
Address: 5 Fort Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328
Tybee Island is pretty compact, so excitement is often a quick bike ride away. This private beach campground, with 103 sites with full hookups, is only a few blocks from the sand and shore. It’s also close to the lighthouse, museum, community pier, and pavilion.
You have miles of beach to enjoy in this laidback island town and a handful of inviting restaurants and bars. The campground has gravel sites and extras like a dog run, horseshoes pits, and a big swimming pool.
8. Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina
This 761-acre park is on a piece of land people call Pleasure Island. The area, south of Wilmington, has the Cape River on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Address: 1010 State Park Rd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428
This beach campground has 79 sites south of a waterway called Snow’s Cut, which connects the river to the ocean. It’s a somewhat rustic setting, but 10 of the sites have full hookups.
Most sites are primitive, with a picnic table, fire ring, and drinking water. The campground has drinking water and restrooms with showers. There are four cabins for rent. The setting is quiet and private, with excellent walking trails.
9. Oceano Campground, California
South of Big Sur and San Luis Obisbo, this area is home to the famous California dunes. The incredible terrain is just one of the many attractions along the Central Coast
Address: 555 Pier Ave, Oceano, CA 93445
You can drive on the beach here. This beach campground is a few short blocks away, but it’s an easy walk with three different routes. There are 81 sites here, some with partial hookups and some with none, and they can handle RVs up to 36 feet.
Eucalyptus trees shade many, and a scenic lagoon surrounds the property. Access to those legendary dunes, famous for ATV riding, is just down the road. In the fall and winter, the nearby Monarch Butterfly Grove is swarming with visitors.
Pro Tip: Can’t get a site at Oceano Campground? Check out our list of 10 Epic Camping Sites In Pismo Beach You Need To See for more options
10. Pacific Beach State Park, Washington
This beach is where you can do clamming from late fall to early spring. It’s northwest of Aberdeen on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula.
Address: 49 2nd St S, Pacific Beach, WA 98571
There’s a flat, sandy beach on 2,300 feet of shoreline at this 17-acre state park. There are 60 sites with partial hookups, along with bathrooms and showers. Many of the sites view the beach, and there’s a walkway directly to it.
Bonfires on the beach are part of the culture here, and the park has a lively atmosphere at times. The tiny town of Seabrook is just minutes away with a few shops, but not many.
Spend Time At One Of These Amazing Beach Campgrounds
The best beach campgrounds have to be close to the water, but that’s not the only consideration. It’s nice to have a few comforts to make them suitable as a temporary home from home. Seclusion is excellent, but sometimes we don’t want to be too remote and out of the way.
These beach campgrounds strike the right balance in what we look for when choosing a fantastic spot by the water. They’re certainly not all the same, and these differences show off many unique landscapes.
Where are your favorite beach campgrounds?
