21 Best RV Campgrounds on the Beach | East Coast Guide

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Our Picks for the 21 Best RV Campgrounds on the Beach

Maine

1. Libby’s Oceanside Camp

If the sound of ocean waves lulling you to sleep, the smell of the invigorating salt air, amazing views, and natural beaches are your thing, then you will also fall in love with this gem of a campground. Libby’s Oceanside Camp has oceanfront RV sites with wide-open views. On any clear day, you can even see Nubble Light, one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses.

There is a lot to do in the area, such as hiking, shopping, and sightseeing. Portsmouth, a delightful historic town in New Hampshire, is an easy 20-minute drive away.

The campground is well maintained with full-service grassy sites, clean restrooms, nice owners, and considerate campers. Every campsite has full hookups too! The super convenient local trolley stops at the entrance regularly. The Lobster Cove Restaurant, which is terrific by the way, is just a short walk. The restaurant has spectacular seaside views, a lighthouse and all!

There is a public sandy beach on one side of the grounds and a private pebble beach on the other. The campground is kid—and pet-friendly. Be sure to snag an oceanfront site. They are larger and have fire rings. Interior sites are a bit more narrow and without fire rings.

New Hampshire

2. Hampton Beach State Park

Hampton Beach State Park is the only RV park directly located on the coast of New Hampshire. The 50-acre State Park is in the community of Hampton Beach. RVers can bring their RV right up to the mouth of the Hampton River and spend a day enjoying fun and relaxing activities such as fishing, swimming, and picnicking.

The park includes 28 full hookup sites for RVs, a park store, and two bathing huts. This is a no-frills, no-trees campground. But the location is awesome. Of the 28 total sites, 15 of them are on the corner of the Hampton River and the Atlantic Ocean, with a fire pit behind each grassy site. The others are in a second row but still have river and ocean views as well. These sites must be reserved early and can be done 11 months in advance. They go FAST.

Massachusetts

3. Sandy Neck Beach Park

Sandy Neck Beach Park is 4,700 acres and offers campsites directly on the beach. If you’re taking an RV, it must have both gray water and septic tanks. Your vehicle may also be required to pass a beach driving test to ensure it can maneuver through the sand. But once on the beach, you can be secluded and enjoy sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and even having a fire right on the beach!

The park also offers miles of hiking trails through marshlands and a maritime forest. If you like to walk or run on the beach, this beach is perfect as it has a very long stretch. Ensure you bring water shoes since the beach has a lot of rocks. Not big rocks, but enough that you will want to wear your flip-flops or water shoes.

This is a great place for families and small children to enjoy the water. Depending on the tides there can be many shallow tidal pools at low tide for the kids to play in and be safe. The beach is dog-friendly, with miles of beach to enjoy.

4. Matha’s Vineyard Family Campground

Martha’s Vineyard Family Campground is not located right on the beach, but it’s on Martha’s Vineyard, which is one gigantic beach. We visited here and had a great time. Rather than review it here, please use the link to check out our review of this awesome campground.

Rhode Island

5. Fishermen’s Memorial State Park Campground 

Fishermen’s Memorial State Park Campground in Narragansett is not on the ocean but it has water access on Bluff Hill Cove. It has 147 large and shady campsites with full hookups. The campground has bike trails, a playground available for kids, and a variety of activities in the permit office.

The campground is located right down the street from the Block Island Ferry and close to the popular Roger W. Wheeler and Scarborough State Beaches. Every Sunday, there is an excellent farmers market. Right down the street is a farm selling local beef. Stop there for some awesome steaks to grill.

6. East Beach

East Beach is a large stretch of sand overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay. You camp right on the beach, so you must have a 4×4 RV.  East Beach has clear, blue water and soft pink sand with few rocks.

Best of all, due to the beach’s large size, there is plenty of room to camp even on weekends. Part of the Ninigret Conservation Area, the 20-site RV campground has a beautiful beach, hiking trails, and terrific opportunities for bird-watching.

There are no hookups on the beach, so your RV must be self-contained. It’s best to have 4-wheel drive if you go out on the beach. But if you love serenity, sunbathing, surf fishing, and fires on the beach at night, this beautiful beach may make you want to convert your RV to a 4×4!

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Connecticut

7. Hammonasset Beach State Park

Hammonaset Beach State Park in Madison is 900 acres and has 2 miles of sandy beach with mild ocean temperatures and light surf. It’s perfect for swimming, hiking, and surf fishing.

The array of 550-plus well-maintained campsites makes for an inexpensive beach vacation when the big resort hotels are overflowing. Campsites are very large in a grassy area, and although the sites are not right on the beach, there is a nice sandy path to the beach.

Hammonasset Beach features a clean beach, camping, biking, a nature center, dog-walking areas, a fishing jetty, boat access, large pavilions with picnic tables, changing rooms, and paths to spectacular views. There are also some wonderful local restaurants right outside the gates.

New York

8. Hither Hills State Park

Hither Hills State Park in Montauk offers visitors scenic picnic areas and fireplaces, surf fishing, a two-mile sandy ocean beach, a 40-acre freshwater lake, playing fields, a playground, and a 190-site campground on the ocean. There are no hookups in the State Park and campfires are prohibited. You can, however, have a grill.

Anglers can fish year-round and obtain permits to fish at night. The unique “walking dunes” of Napeague Harbor are located on the park’s eastern boundary, which also has woodlands filled with Russian olive, oak, shad, and pine trees. Bridle paths and hiking, nature, biking, and trails are all available.

New Jersey

9. Island Beach State Park (Mike’s Personal Favorite)

Island Beach State Park in Seaside Heights is a preserved barrier island that protects a number of natural shorelines and nearshore habitats. The park contains close to ten miles of sandy beach, and an extensive shoreline along Barnegat Bay, dense maritime forests, rolling sand dunes, and tidal marshes. Island Beach is also home to fox, osprey, other wildlife, and more than 400 species of plants.

It is my favorite beach to drive onto and surf fish. You must have a 4-wheel drive to drive onto the beach, and there is no camping. But you are allowed to stay overnight as long as you are fishing. We keep a line in the water overnight and have never been asked to leave.

The most popular recreational activities are swimming and surf fishing. You can also ride your bicycle,  surf, go for a hike, have a picnic, or bring your horse, kayak, or bird watch. You also have access to Barnegat Bay where you can kayak, fly fish, crab, and enjoy the gorgeous sunsets.

Be sure to visit Grumpy’s Tackle where Grumpy will provide some first-class advice and humorous insults about your fishing abilities. Be prepared to laugh! Also, be sure to visit Betty and Nick’s Bait and Tackle. The owner, John Bushel, gets up every morning and videotapes the ocean while providing a fishing report.

Delaware

10. Cape Henlopen State Park

Cape Henlopen State Park is located at the point where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Camp among pine-covered dunes within walking distance of the Atlantic and a five-mile stretch of beach in Lewes.

Explore all 7,000 acres of Cape Henlopen State Park! Discover the beauty and diversity of Cape Henlopen’s coastal environment, which encompasses ocean and bay beaches, maritime forests, and tidal salt marshes.

The newly renovated campground offers water, 50—and 100-amp electric hookups, new fire rings, picnic tables, a new one-way vehicle circulation pattern, a camp store, laundry facility, pull-through sites, walk-in tent sites, a play area, additional dump stations, a renovated registration booth, and an expanded overflow parking area.

In addition to camping at the family campground, Cape Henlopen also has a nature center and store, a bait and tackle shop and food concessions.

Maryland

11. Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore

We are from Maryland and have visited Assateague many times. My kids grew up camping on this beach! What a great experience.

Where else can you camp on an island among wild horses? Assateague State Park and Assateague Island National Seashore lie between the Atlantic Ocean and Sinepuxent Bay on Assateague Island with miles of sandy beach and campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs. The famous wild horses casually roam the campsites and beach. They’re fun to take photos of, but be careful to not approach, touch, or feed them.

There is confusion about the 2 beach campgrounds but it’s really quite simple. Both areas share the Assateague barrier island and are accessed from MD Rte 611, which is about 15 minutes south of MD Rte 50 and super popular Ocean City, Maryland.

The State Park is a little more oriented toward families with hot showers and concessions. There are 350 sites available, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Electric hook-ups are available in the H-Loop and a limited number of sites in J-Loop. You need to book these sites a year in advance of your trip.

Assateague Island National Seashore offers 158 campsites along a gorgeous 20-mile stretch of ocean and along the bay. There are no hookups in the National Seashore Campground. On the National Seashore, you can have a campfire on the beach, and pets are allowed on a leash in the non-lifeguard area. There are no concessions on the National Seashore and it only has only cold showers.

No matter which campground you choose, you will have a great time in either of these Maryland beach campgrounds. My daughters camped at these two campgrounds every summer while growing up and they have great memories at these beaches!

Virginia

12. First Landing State Park

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach contains 2,700 acres of protected salt marsh habitat, bay, dune maritime forests, and freshwater ponds.

The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage and offers boating, swimming, nature programs, hiking, and biking.

Its nearly 200 campsites accommodate RVs ranging in size from 20 to 45 feet. 108 RV Campsites have water and electrical hookups and come equipped with a picnic table and fire grill. All sites are located just steps from the Chesapeake Bay, so campers have close access to water.

Interactive programs and outdoor adventures such as crabbing, junior rangers, beach walks, nature hikes, and structured environmental education programs are offered and are perfect for family travelers.

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North Carolina

13.Camp Hatteras RV Resort

Camp Hatteras RV Resort offers ocean and sound-front sites on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.  The 200 sites all have concrete pads and full hookups. Some are located on the side of Pamlico Sound and others are next to the Atlantic Ocean.

Stay on a site near the sound rather than the ocean.  You’ll actually get a view of the water and sunsets.  The oceanfront sites are closer to the beach, but the dunes can obstruct the view.

Among the amenities are pools, a Jacuzzi, mini golf, WaveRunner rentals, and a walkway out to the beach. They also have a fully stocked store on-site and a dog park for pet owners. If you have kids and want a more resort-style beach experience, then this campground is perfect!

14. Freeman Park

If you like camping right on the beach then Freeman Park at Carolina Beach is a great spot. Carolina Beach is a long and broad beach in North Carolina, just south of Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington.

Camping is allowed on certain parts of Carolina Beach on the north end of the island at Freeman Park. It’s an attractive and secluded beach next to a classic old beach town with a mile and a half of prime beach camping spots facing the Atlantic.

Designated camping spots are located along the dunes, but camping is allowed anywhere on the beach (just mind the high tide line). The beach extends for a mile and a half to the north, so there are usually plenty of camping spots available. Be sure to get there early in the day in the summer, as it can get crowded on certain weekends. You can pull into any spot, set up, and enjoy the day.

Fires are allowed in fire pits at least 3 feet in diameter, but you will need to bring your own firewood and kindling as the park has little firewood. There can be a very lively beach crowd here, so be ready for a fun time!

South Carolina

15. Ocean Lakes Family Campground

Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach is huge. It’s the largest campground along the East Coast with over 800 sites and 5 bath houses across 310 oceanfront acres and over a mile of beachfront.

The sites are large, pull-through, and complete with full hookups.  They’re located along paved roads, and most have concrete pads.

There is plenty to do at the campground, especially if you have kids. You can go for a refreshing walk on the beach, check out their new water park, play the nearby par 72 Prestwick Golf Course, or grab a bite to eat at one of the many local restaurants. This is a terrific RV beach campground for a family vacation.

16. Hunting Island State Park

Located on a barrier island just 15 miles from the historic town of Beaufort, Hunting Island State Park boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in South Carolina. This former hunting preserve is now a virtual wonderland of wildlife and natural beauty.

Park your RV in the shade of wind-sculpted trees, with a view of the ocean. Take a walk on the marsh boardwalk, hike one of the rustic nature trails, or try your hand at the fishing pier. Don’t forget to visit the historic lighthouse and climb 130 feet to the top, to take in a sweeping view of the shoreline below.

The campground offers 117 RV campsites with water and electric hook-ups. Some sites can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. Modern restrooms have hot showers, a dump station, and free WiFi. 

The park also offers over eight miles of biking and hiking trails through the maritime forest. Don’t forget to climb to the top of the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse. Interesting footnote: The war scenes in the movie Forest Gump were filmed in this park.

If you’re into fishing. You can shore fish right on the Atlantic, throw your line in at the Johnson Creek marsh or try crabbing off of the 1,100-foot pier that extends out into Fripp Inlet. If you’re a newbie to fishing, the park rents rods and reels as well as supplies bait.

Georgia

17. Jekyll Island Campground

Jekyll Island Campground is the only campground on the island. While it is a state park, it is run by a vendor. The campground has 145 Full hook-up sites with both back-in and pull-thru options. Most sites are spacious and have a lot of shade from the mature trees.

There is a nice, well-stocked campground store, laundry facility, and clean restrooms, and they rent bicycles. The campground is centrally located and close to restaurants, the pier, and site-seeing attractions.

There are great bike paths all over the island and lots of small access points to the various beach areas. Driftwood Beach was one of the coolest beaches I’ve ever been on. Restaurants on the island are not overly pricey, considering you are actually on an island.

The island used to be the rich and famous retreat, but after they abandoned it in the late 1940s, Georgia picked it up for back taxes and a little chump change.

The island is steeped in history and has places to tour, beaches to walk, and a laid-back flavor. There are hotels and restaurants, but it is not overwhelmed by tourist attractions.

Florida

18. Fort De Soto County Park

Fort De Soto County Park is a 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store. There are also special campsites for camping with pets.

There’s hardly an award this Park hasn’t won. Dr. Beach chose it as the number one beach in the nation in 2005, in 2011 it was named America’s Best Family Beach by the editors of Parents, and TripAdvisor named it America’s Top Beach in 2009.

Its beautiful campground is also noteworthy. Many of its campsites are situated on the calm backwater, with the beach just a short drive or paddle away. Mature trees provide thick shade over most campsites, and the breeze from the water is heavenly.

Both tents and RV’s are accommodated and the sites have electricity and water. The Park also offers bike and kayak rentals, two fishing piers, and a historical fort.

19. Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park has 60 campsites that can accommodate either tents or RVs, with a mixture of back-in and pull-through sites. The sites have water, electricity (some 50 amps), picnic tables, ground grills, and clothesline posts.

Amenities include heated and air-conditioned restrooms with showers, coin-operated washers, dryers, and vending machines. You may enjoy a leisurely bike ride on the park’s mile-long paved road, and unlike remote wilderness camping, provisions and restaurants are just a short drive away.

Destin, Florida, is known as the luckiest fishing village in the world. Those wishing to try their luck in the surf may catch popular species such as pompano, redfish, flounder, catfish, whiting, and cobia.

20. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler

Gamble Rogers Beach is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Halifax River in Flagler Beach, between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.

The campground has 34 sites located on the oceanfront dune of the beach and 34 sites located on the riverside. Some sites offer an excellent view of the Atlantic Ocean. All sites feature water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. A communal dump station is free to park campers.

Dune walkovers provide easy access to the beach while protecting the fragile dune system. There is also a laundry room, a boat launch, an area to fish, a kayak rental, and a snack bar.  Pets are allowed in the campground but are prohibited on the beach.

21. Curry Hammock State Park

Curry Hammock State Park is a 28-site campground in the Florida Keys and the Atlantic Ocean. The Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail, which passes through the park, provides easy access to and from Marathon.

All sites have a gravel parking area for cars and RVs, and most have an adjoining sandy area for pitching a tent. We like that the sites consist of pea gravel rather than sand. It keeps the camper much cleaner. Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table, charcoal grill, water, and 20/30/50-amp electrical service. A campground dump station is also available.

You can rent kayaks and paddleboards here. If you time your kayak trip with the tides in mind, you can enjoy the sandbar offshore or the mangrove kayak trail. Dogs are allowed in the park but not on the beach. There is a very nice playground for the kids and also a good number of shaded picnic tables.

How Much Are RV Beach Campgrounds Per Night?

The cost of RV campgrounds on the beach can vary depending on the location and amenities offered. 

Generally, you can expect to pay between $80 and $300 per night for a beach campground spot with basic amenities like water and electricity.

However, if you’re looking for a more luxurious beachfront camping experience, you may spend upwards of $250 per night. 

These high-end campgrounds often offer amenities like private beaches, pools, and full RV hookups.

Remember that prices can also vary depending on the season and demand. During peak summer, beach campgrounds tend to be more expensive due to increased tourism. 

On the other hand, if you plan your trip during the off-season or mid-week, you may find better deals.

It’s essential to research and compare prices before booking your beach campground. Some websites, like reserveamerica.com, allow you to search for campgrounds by location and filter results based on price range. 

You can also check reviews and ratings from previous campers to understand the overall experience.

Can You Drive An RV On The Beach?

One common question among beach campers is whether driving an RV on the beach is allowed. The answer varies depending on the location and regulations of each campground.

Some campgrounds may allow RVs to drive on designated beach areas, while others may prohibit it entirely. It’s crucial to check with the specific campground beforehand or ask upon arrival.

If driving an RV on the beach is permitted, it is essential to follow safety guidelines and be aware of any restrictions. 

For example, some beaches only allow vehicles during certain hours or require a permit for beach driving.

It’s also important to consider your vehicle’s capabilities before driving on the sand. Soft sand can be challenging, especially for larger and heavier RVs. 

It’s best to only drive on the beach if you are confident in your vehicle’s ability to handle it.

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PRO TIP:
I have driven on the beach many times, and the one thing you MUST DO before driving on the beach is to deflate your tires to approximately 15 psi so you don’t get stuck in the sand. Many beaches have an air pump near the exit from the beach so you can re-inflate your tires.

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Are There Any Beach Campgrounds With Seasonal Sites?

Yes, many beach campgrounds offer seasonal RV sites. These campgrounds often have amenities such as electricity, water hookups, and dump stations available for long-term stays.

However, seasonal sites may be more expensive than regular campsites. Researching and comparing prices before committing to a long-term stay is important.

It’s also essential to inquire about the terms and conditions of the seasonal site. Some campgrounds may restrict how long you can stay or require additional fees for specific amenities.

If you plan on spending an extended period at a beach campground, follow its rules and regulations to ensure a pleasant experience for you and your fellow campers.

Be aware of any potential hazards or challenges that may come with a beach campground, such as high tides, strong winds, and wildlife.

Despite these considerations, staying at a beach campground offers many benefits. You can wake up to waves crashing and take beautiful sunsets from your campsite. 

Plus, you’ll have easy access to various water activities like swimming, fishing, and boating.

Final Words About RV Campgrounds On East Coast Beaches

While we have included at least one beach in each state in this article, there are still other RV campgrounds on the beach waiting to be explored. All of them are awesome places to camp and enjoy the beach. I love driving right onto the beach and camping.

Check out some of our other articles below for more tips and information on how to make your RV beach campground experience even more enjoyable.

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Related Reading:

– The Best East Coast RV Road Trips
– 7 Best RV Vacation Destinations in the USA
– RV Window Insulation Tips for Summer and Winter
– 21 Must Have RV Accessories for a New Camper or Travel Trailer

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Do you know of any RV campgrounds on the beach that we should add to the article? Please add your suggestion in the comments below, and I may just have to check it out and revise the article.

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