Beach Campgrounds in the United States

Set at the northern tip of Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore encompasses 12 miles of coastline and 12 islands, which are fondly referred to as the "Jewels of Lake Superior". There are campgrounds on 19 of the islands as well as one on the mainland, and as many of the islands only have one campsite, advance reservations are required.

Most of the sites can only be reached by boat, and although amenities vary from campground to campground, campers can typically expect to find a fire ring, a vault toilet, a bear-proof locker, and a picnic table.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814, Phone: 715-779-3397

Known for the beautiful wild horses that call the beach home, the Assateague Island National Seashore is located on a 37-mile-long barrier island made up of constantly shifting sand. Both walk-in and drive-in sites are available, and there are also two equestrian sites available for people who want to bring their horses. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, and campground amenities include drinking water, unheated showers, and vault toilets. Reservations are required between mid-March and mid-November, and because the island is so popular, weekend dates tend to fill up as soon as they become available.

Assateague Island National Seashore, 7206 National Seashore Ln, Berlin, MD 21811, Phone: 443-614-3547

With its palm tree-lined white sand beaches and its crystal-clear water, Bahia Honda State Park is the perfect place for a tropical vacation. The island is mostly uninhabited, but the conveniences of Marathon and Big Pine are only a short drive away, and the campground has a small store where you can purchase some basic items. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and fish to their hearts' content, and there are two boat ramps if you want to get out on the water. The park is sunny and warm year-round, but reservations are strongly recommended if you're planning to visit in the winter.

Bahia Honda State Park , 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, Phone: 305-872-2353

Also known as Punalu'u Beach, Black Sand Beach is one of the most unique beaches in the country, and it's a beautiful place to spend a night or two. The neighboring beach is home to a group of sea turtles, and when the weather is nice, you can snorkel with the turtles and the tropical fish that live in the water. The campsites are on the grass right above the beach, and all campers have access to vault toilets and unheated beach showers. Camping permits are required.

Black Sand Beach , Highway 11, Pahala, Island of Hawaii, HI 96777

Encompassing most of Cumberland Island, the largest barrier island in Georgia, the Cumberland Island National Seashore boasts more than 17 miles of pristine beaches. The island itself can be reached by taking a ferry from the mainland, but all of the campgrounds are walk-in only. The most popular campground is the Sea Camp Campground, which is the closest to the ferry dock and features amenities like flush toilets, drinking water, and fire rings, but the Stafford Beach Campground is also a good choice if you don't mind hiking 3.5 miles to get there. There are also several wilderness campgrounds with no amenities.

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Plum Orchard Dr, St Marys, GA 31558, Phone: 912-882-4336

Romantic Beach Campgrounds:

One of Louisiana's best kept secrets, Grand Isle State Park is located right on the Gulf of Mexico. The ocean is excellent for boating and fishing, and lucky visitors will be able to spot dolphins swimming and jumping in the water. The sites right on the beach are walk-in only, but if you don't mind being a little further away from the water, there are also drive-in sites with water and electric hookups. All campers have access to restrooms with hot showers, and if you plan on fishing, there is also a fishing pier and a fish cleaning station.

Grand Isle State Park , 108 Admiral Craik Dr, Grand Isle, LA 70358, Phone: 985-787-2559

If you're looking for a truly secluded place to pitch a tent, Hammocks Beach State Park fits the bill perfectly. The park consists primarily of the rugged Bear Island, which is where all the campsites can be found, including both single family and group options. Water and other basic facilities are available between mid-March and mid-November, but the campsites are primitive, and campers should prepare for a backcountry experience. A passenger ferry operates between the beginning of April and the end of October, but the island can only be reached by private boat during the rest of the year.

Hammocks Beach State Park, 1572 Hammocks Beach Road, Swansboro, NC 28584, Phone: 910-326-4881

Sitting on a peninsula where the Hampton River runs into the Atlantic Ocean, Hampton Beach State Park features the only RV campground right on the coast of New Hampshire. There are 28 sites to choose from, all of which have full hookups, and the campground only accepts vehicles that can hook up to water, sewer, and electric. There's a small store on site, and campers also have access to a pleasant day use area with picnic tables, restrooms, and a children's playground. The park is open year-round, but the campground is only open between the beginning of May and the end of October.

Hampton Beach State Park, 160 Ocean Blvd, Hampton, NH 03842, Phone: 603-926-8990

Family-friendly Beach Campgrounds:

Stretching for three miles along the shore of Lake Michigan, Hoffmaster State Park is known for its wonderful beaches and its massive sand dunes. With almost 300 campsites, the campground here much larger than most of the other beach campgrounds on this list, but the sites have plenty of space and campers will enjoy amenities like hot showers and sites with full hookups. There are also miles and miles of hiking trails in the park, and if you're feeling up for a challenge, you can hike the Dune Climb Stairway to get a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

Hoffmaster State Park , 6585 Lake Harbor Rd, Muskegon, MI 49444, Phone: 231-798-3711

Established to protect more than 800 acres of land on a peninsula near Buzzards Bay, the Horseneck Beach State Reservation is one of the most popular seaside recreation areas in Massachusetts. The campground has approximately 100 sites, and it can accommodate both tents and RVs, although none of the sites have hookups. The two-mile stretch of beach is wonderful for swimming, sunbathing, and windsurfing, and a paved walking path runs along the entire stretch of sand. Camping is available between early May and early October, and lifeguards are on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Horseneck Beach State Reservation, 5 John Reed Rd, Westport, MA 02790, Phone: 508-636-8816