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Ryan Robinson takes you for a ride in the passenger seat of his RV, off the grid, deep among the dramatic rock formations of the Utah Desert. Robinson and friends chill by the fire, tell stories, and of course, rig a one of a kind highline over the Looking Glass Arch in Moab, UT.
For many, there is nothing more desirable than parking your rig right next to the beach. The East Coast has a handful of great beachfront campgrounds nestled alongside the Atlantic Ocean.
For many RV owners, there’s nothing more desirable than parking your rig at a gorgeous campground right next to the beach. Cool sea breezes make the summer heat more bearable, and fall temperatures are downright pleasant.
The East Coast has a handful of great beachfront campgrounds that are nestled right alongside the silver and blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Most of these campgrounds are incredibly popular and require advance planning and a little bit of luck to score the best sites. So if you want to go beach camping on the East Coast then it’s time to start doing your homework.
Here’s a cheat sheet to help you get started — these eight great oceanfront campgrounds are among the best on the East Coast.
1. Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday, Maine
Any tour of oceanfront campgrounds on the East Coast should start on the rocky and dramatic shores of coastal Maine. The Bar Harbor KOA has beautiful sunsets and amazing kayaking, as long as the wind doesn’t pick up too much. You can also purchase a lobster dinner and enjoy it right on your waterfront site. You can even see Acadia National Park from the campground and it’s just a short drive down the road.
Book early to snag a waterfront campsite at the Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA Holiday near Acadia National Park.
2. Hither Hills State Park, New York
The surfing is great in Montauk, New York — and so is the camping at Hither Hills State Park. Hither Hills has no hookups, so be prepared to dry camp and utilize your RV’s self-contained holding tanks and batteries. RVs with solar panels will be particularly well suited here. Food and drink are also great in Montauk, and so are the art galleries and funky coastal shops. Watch out for currents and riptides right in front of the campground — the water can get rough.
Hither Hills State Park. Photo courtesy of Phil Travaglia.
3. Assateague Island State Park, Maryland
Assateague Island State Park is one of our family’s favorite places to park our RV — hopefully on a site right over the dunes from the ocean. Wild horses roam throughout the campground and will walk right through your site. (Just make sure not to leave food out for them!) This campground is simple and has few amenities, but with the sparkling waters of the Atlantic Ocean right near your site, it doesn’t really matter. The ocean and the beach provide countless hours of entertainment.
Reservations open 11 months in advance at Assateague Island State Park in Maryland. Book as early as possible to land a coveted site in the one loop with electric hookups.
4. Cape Hatteras / Outer Banks KOA Resort, North Carolina
If you want to camp right on the beach and have amenities like an Olympic-sized pool and hot tub, then the Cape Hatteras KOA might be perfect for you. The beach in front of the campground also boasts some of the best surfing on the entire East Coast. Shade is minimal here, so you’ll likely want to use your RV’s awning — just do so cautiously because powerful winds can pick up very quickly. After all, the Wright brothers came to the Outer Banks for this very reason.
An image of Cape Hatteras at the Outer Banks KOA Resort, North Carolina. Photo courtesy of KOA.
5. Myrtle Beach State Park, South Carolina
Just about every inch of coastal South Carolina is filled with excellent options for outdoor recreation. Thankfully, the state also has one of the best state park campground systems in the U.S. Myrtle Beach State Park is close to the crazy entertainment and dining options that the region offers, but it’s far enough away to provide a quiet retreat. The beaches here are pristine and located close to shady RV sites in the campground. Fishing from the pier is great, and it’s a beautiful spot for photography at sunrise or sunset.
Myrtle Beach State Park. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Puglisi.
6. Huntington Beach State Park, South Carolina
Just a bit further south from Myrtle Beach State Park is the quieter and more naturally varied terrain of Huntington Beach State Park. This campground is largely shaded and situated close to the ocean, so you’ll hear the sound of waves breaking from your site as you fall asleep. Make sure you visit Atalaya Castle, which is located inside the confines of the park. The Spanish architecture is stunning, the story behind it is moving, and its history is rich with local lore.
The campsites at Huntington Beach State Park are just a short walk away from the quiet, pristine beach.
7. Jekyll Island Campground, Georgia
This campground feels like a hybrid between a state park and a private campground. It’s owned by the state but isn’t part of Georgia’s excellent state park system. Sites are small and not private like the ones you’ll find at many state parks, but the location is excellent and the campground is wooded and shady. The island itself is gorgeous with many beaches to choose from. Best among them is Driftwood Beach which is close to the campground. The beach is filled with the skeletons of old trees that have been exposed by erosion. This creates a spooky look for photos and a natural playground that will keep your kids occupied for hours while you relax on the beach.
8. Beverly Beach Camptown, Florida
Beverly Beach Camptown is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean halfway between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. RV sites bump right up to a beach wall and the warm sand is within a short distance. The water here is always gorgeous and inviting and you can swim right outside the comfort of your RV. This campground is divided up into three sections — Camper’s Village is located across Highway A1A but the Oceanview and Beachfront sections have easier access to the beach. Customer service here is also great.
Beverly Beach in Camptown, FL. Photo courtesy of Beverly Beach Camptown.
Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi are the co-hosts of the weekly RV Atlas and Campground of the Week podcasts and the RV Atlas blog. They are also the authors of See You at the Campground: A Guide to Discovering Community, Connection, and a Happier Family in the Great Outdoors, and Where Should We Camp Next: A 50 State Guide to Amazing Campgrounds and other Unique Outdoor Accommodations,and the Acadia National Park Adventure Guide. After buying their very first pop-up camper more than 10 years ago, Jeremy and Stephanie caught the RV bug in a big way, and now spend over 70 nights a year in their travel trailer with their three sons, Theo, Max, and Wes, and sweet Maggie the pup. You can follow along on their adventures (and misadventures) over at RV Atlas.
