Have you ever considered camping on the beach? Picture it now! Waking up to find the sandy beach and ocean water beckoning you from right outside your tent. Warmer weather is fast approaching, and it’s time to decide what vacations to take this year. One of the most popular vacation destinations is the beach. It’s hard to resist the lure of the ocean waves or the sight of the picture-perfect horizon.
Now you might think the only way to enjoy the beach is to rent out an expensive condo along the waterfront. But there’s another way to enjoy the sandy shore! There are over a hundred campgrounds right along the United States’ coastline that allow you to camp on the beach or within walking distance of the beach. By camping on the beach, you don’t have to empty your wallet out to enjoy a beautiful stretch of sand.
Camping next to the ocean has a lot of similarities to camping in the woods. However, there are also lots of differences. This is why we’ve put together a beach camping guide. In this guide, we list advice, tricks, and tips for camping on the beach.
Reserve Your Spot Early
Camping on the beach is a great way to enjoy a piece of the salt life, and lots of people know it. As soon as the weather begins to warm, campgrounds fill up fast. Unfortunately, the motto “first come, first serve” does not apply. You must reserve your spot ahead of time. In general, you’ll need to make a reservation six months to one year in advance! In rare cases, you might be lucky and scoop up someone else’s cancellation, but otherwise, you’ll have to reserve your spot uber early.
Check Out the Weather Patterns
It’s impossible to know what exactly the weather will be like when you go camping. Nonetheless, it’s important to check out the weather patterns before you make a camping reservation. For example, here is a tip for camping on the beach in Florida, beware of making a reservation from August to October. That’s when hurricane season is most active. The months with the best weather are March, April, and May.
Research the Campsite
Before making a camping reservation, you should always do your research on the campsite. Forgetting to do your research is one of the most common mistakes to make when camping (read about the other common camping mistakes here). A benefit to researching the campsite is learning what amenities are available. Is there an electrical hook-up to power your fan? Is there a nearby faucet for drinking water? Where are the bathrooms? If none of these amenities are available, then the campsite is considered “primitive,” and extra preparations will need to be made. For example, you’ll have to bring all your own drinking water, and human waste (aka the stinky #2) will need to be buried appropriately.
Another benefit to researching the campsite, besides learning what amenities are available, is learning about the campground rules. If you’re tent camping, the most important rule to look for is whether tents are even allowed on the campground. Many campgrounds along the coast are built for RV’s only and do not allow tents. Other rules to look for are the campground’s rules regarding campfires, dunes, and personal watercraft.
If you’re still looking for that perfect getaway, we’ve listed a few websites to check out. These not only list out several beach campgrounds around the United States but also give valuable information about each one.
- Find out about beach camping in San Diego and elsewhere along the California coast at: Beach Camping In California
- Find out about the best beach campgrounds in Texas: Camp Ground
- Discover beach campgrounds along the Florida coast at Visit Florida Beach Camping
- Explore the best campgrounds along the eastern coastline at Coastal Wandering
Beach Camping Tips and Tricks
It comes as no surprise that you’ll be confronted with sand, sand, and more sand while camping on the beach! Thankfully, there are some tips and tricks for dealing with all that sand.
- Place a camping mat right outside your tent that is both sand-proof and waterproof.
- Keep a bucket filled with water outside your tent. Use the water to wash off your feet before entering the tent.
- Use a portable showerhead with a pump, like the Ivation camping showerhead, to wash the sand off yourself whenever you need it.
- Keep the sand separated from your luggage and sleeping bags by lining the inside of your tent with a large, sand-proof mat. The camping mat made by CGear is a great choice. The large mat filters pesky sand to the bottom of the tent and away from your camping gear.
- Use a sleeping bag liner. This will isolate the sand to the inside of the liner rather than the sleeping bag itself. It’s much easier to clean a liner than a big, bulky sleeping bag.
Something else that you’ll have to prepare for when you camp on the beach is the wind that constantly blows along the shore. With the beach camping tips listed below, you can simply relax and enjoy the breeze instead of battling against it.
- All it takes is one gusty wind to make your canopy go rolling down the beach. Make sure to use sand stakes and sand bags, like the Ogrmar tent stakes and Eurmax sand bags, to keep your tent, pop-up canopy, and umbrella in place.
- If possible, park your car so that it blocks your tent from the heavy winds.
- To keep your campfire from sputtering out in the wind, place your campfire in a hole that is 1 to 2 feet deep. Of course, you should only do this if it is allowed by the campground.
- Bring lightweight objects (i.e., trash, bottles, cups, plates) inside your tent or car at night. Otherwise, they might blow away while you’re sleeping.
Cooking over an open flame can become impossible on a windy day. Make sure to use a camping grill that won’t be affected by the wind, such as the Blackstone 1814 flat top grill
Keeping yourself at the right temperature can be also a struggle when camping on the beach. You must be mindful of the heat during the day and the chill in the evening. The following beach camping tips will help you stay cool and relaxed under the sun and warm and cozy at night.
- Use a tent with lots of mesh windows. When setting up the tent, position it so the breeze blows through the mesh windows. This will provide necessary ventilation during the day.
- Use a pop-up canopy that has removable side walls. This will create some lovely shade tostay under during the day.
- Make sure that you pack quality coolers that will keep cool under the beach sunshine. Don’t try to cram all your refrigerated food and drinks into one cooler, leaving little room for ice. Instead, bring two coolers so that each cooler is packed with plenty of ice.
- To keep warm at night, use a sleeping bag liner and an extra blanket. You can also use hand and toe warmers such as the ones made by HotHands.
- If the campsite comes with an electrical hook-up, bring a fan and a space heater.
- Dress in layers. Make sure to pack a light jacket that you can wear during the evening and early morning.
Beach Camping Supplies
Camping on the beach requires the same basic camping supplies as any other camping trip. Click here to see our ultimate camping checklist, which can be used for any camping trip. Camping on the beach does have its differences when compared to camping in the woods though. There’s the infinite sand, gusty winds, non-stop sunshine, daytime heat, and nighttime chill. Therefore, there are some additional items recommended for beach camping.
| ☐ Sand stakes | ☐ Extra blanket |
| ☐ Sand bags | ☐ Sleeping bag liner |
| ☐ Small shovel | ☐ Waterproof dry bag for phone |
| ☐ Bucket for washing feet outside tent | ☐ Extra cooler for ice |
| ☐ Portable showerhead with pump | ☐ Pop-up canopy with removable side walls |
| ☐ Outdoor mat | ☐ Umbrella |
| ☐ Sand-proof beach blanket | ☐ Sunhat |
| ☐ Beach wagon | ☐ Firewood (if allowed) |
Beach Camping Activities
What activities can you expect while camping on the beach? Of course, many people spend their time combing the beaches for seashells and swimming in the ocean. Other activities allowed by most campgrounds include hiking, bicycling, surfing, paddling (i.e., kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards), and fishing. If you opt to do some fishing, make sure to buy a local fishing license and follow local regulations. You’ll have to research your campsite to learn what other activities and equipment are allowed or available to rent.
Leave No Trace Behind When Camping on the Beach
Beaches are truly special places. If you find yourself stressed with life, all it takes is one stroll along the seashore to feel better. Beaches are not only important to our own well-being but also vital to the ecosystem. We must do our part to ensure the beaches stay protected, pristine, and wonderful. While camping on the beach, make sure to pick up after yourself, respect the dunes, and, most importantly, leave no trace behind.
