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The Top 15 Beachside Camping Spots in the U.S. You Have to Try

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Imagine waking up to the sound of waves crashing, sipping coffee with your toes in the sand, and spending your day exploring tide pools or swimming in the ocean. Camping by the water is the perfect way to enjoy nature’s beauty, and the U.S. has many options where you can do that. Here are the 15 best U.S. beaches for camping by the water.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland/Virginia

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With wild horses being its claim to fame, Assateague Island offers a rugged coastal camping experience. With campsites near the Atlantic Ocean, you can take a nap asleep to the crashing waves and wake up to wild ponies roaming near your tent. Be prepared for basic amenities, as this island focuses on preserving its natural beauty.

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

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This remote island, accessible only by ferry, offers pristine beaches and secluded camping sites. You’ll be surrounded by maritime forests, marshes, and, occasionally, wild horses. Cumberland Island provides a quiet, peaceful beach camping experience with plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching.

Kalaloch Beach, Washington

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 Located in Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Beach features campsites near the Pacific Ocean. Famous for its rugged coastline, this area offers dramatic ocean views, abundant tide pools, and stunning sunsets. Be sure to explore nearby Ruby Beach, known for its striking sea stacks and driftwood-strewn shores.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation, Massachusetts

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The reservation features sandy beaches with gentle waves, making it perfect for families. In addition to its picturesque dunes and salt marshes, the area offers excellent bird-watching and fishing opportunities. The campground is just steps from the beach, allowing visitors to enjoy sunrises and sunsets over the water.

Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina

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This scenic barrier island features a lush maritime forest and a wide, sandy beach ideal for camping. Hunting Island offers hundreds of campsites, some located just a short walk from the ocean. The island is known for its historic lighthouse. It is open for visitors to climb for panoramic views and a view of abundant wildlife.

Jalama Beach, California

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Located off the beaten path in Santa Barbara County, Jalama Beach offers a quiet, secluded camping experience with unbeatable ocean views. It’s known for its excellent surf and fishing, as well as its famous Jalama Burger, a must-try at the beachside café. This beach is perfect for people looking for peace and scenic beauty.

Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina

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For a more remote camping experience, Hammocks Beach State Park’s Bear Island is the place to go. Accessible only by boat or kayak, this island offers camping with 4 miles of beautiful beach. You’ll feel like you have the entire island to yourself, with no distractions other than the sound of the ocean.

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida

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Located in the Florida Keys, this breathtaking state park is known for its clear waters and pristine beaches. The park offers RV and tent camping near the beach and cabins for rent. Snorkeling and kayaking are popular activities here, and you can enjoy the scenic views of Old Bahia Honda Bridge.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

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Dry Tortugas is accessible only by boat or seaplane. The park is known for its stunning coral reefs, abundant marine life, and historic Fort Jefferson, which was once used as a military prison. You’ll need to bring all your supplies, including water and food, but the reward is the peaceful seclusion and incredible stargazing opportunities.  

Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina

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For an off-the-grid camping experience, Cape Lookout’s primitive beach campsites are ideal. Accessible only by boat, this barrier island features unspoiled beaches and wild horses. The famous Cape Lookout Lighthouse is a must-see, and fishing and shelling are popular pastimes. Keep an eye out for the state’s shell, the Scotch bonnet!

El Capitan State Beach, California

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Just north of Santa Barbara, El Capitan State Beach offers bluffs and campsites overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This beach is perfect for families, with opportunities for beachcombing, tide pooling, and hiking along scenic trails. The nearby Gaviota Coast is one of the most biologically diverse coastal regions in the world.

Limekiln State Park, California

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Located along California’s Big Sur coast, Limekiln is a unique destination where campers can enjoy the beach and the redwoods. The campground is within a canyon, where streams and waterfalls create a lush, green scene. It’s the perfect spot for those who want to combine beach camping with forest exploration.

Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana

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Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Grand Isle State Park is Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island. The park’s beach campground is prime for fishing and bird watching. From the observation tower, you can get stunning views of the island, and the warm Gulf waters are perfect for swimming.

Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin

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This island park, located in Lake Michigan, is accessible only by ferry, making it a quiet, remote camping destination. Rock Island offers beautiful sandy beaches and a historic lighthouse. The island’s peaceful nature makes it a perfect spot for those looking for a break from city life.

South Padre Island, Texas

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South Padre Island is a renowned beach camping destination on the Gulf of Mexico, offering both RV and tent camping with spectacular ocean views. It’s popular for its wide sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and water sports like windsurfing and kiteboarding. There is no better place for a lively yet relaxing setting for beach camping.

Written by Jace Lamonica

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