12 Great Beaches Where You Can Pitch a Tent or Park an RV

When you go camping on the beach, you can wake up to the whisper of the waves. Setting up a tent or RV isn't just a way to avoid paying for a pricey hotel room or cottage. It means you can step right out into the warm sand, take out your beach chairs and sunscreen and spend the day swimming, surfing or just lounging around with the latest paperback. When you're ready, you're steps away from your campsite, where you can brush off the sand and grab a snack and cold drink. Later, if it's permitted on your beach, you can grill a good steak or light up a fire ring and roast a few s'mores.

Camping on the beach lets you get close to nature and the beauty of the seashore. Use our list of top beach campgrounds around the U.S. to find your ideal spot.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some closures and restrictions at these destinations. Check each website or call before you go.

If you’re heading down to Key West, at Mile Marker 36.8 you’ll find Bahia Honda Island. The entire island is one of Florida’s most southern state parks. Bahia Honda is a Spanish name meaning “deep bay,” and you'll see this is a paradise for boaters, anglers and nature lovers. It’s not bad from the shore either; the island boasts beautiful white sand beaches with over 80 campsites to choose from. If you don’t have your own watercraft, you can rent canoes, kayaks and snorkeling equipment at the park.

Less than an hour from Santa Barbara’s swanky shops and mansions, Jalama Beach County Park boasts more humble seaside accommodations. The sought-after campsites (some directly on the beach) are first-come, first-served. They have basic amenities, such as picnic tables and fire rings, and dogs are welcome for a small fee. The park has a cool California vibe, with water sports such as surfing and surf fishing. If campfire food isn’t your forte, walk to the Jalama Beach Grill for the much-lauded burger topped with veggies and a special sauce that’s so special, the ingredients are a mystery.

A short drive from Corpus Christi, Padre Island National Seashore contains the world’s largest undeveloped stretch of barrier island. Take a few days to enjoy the natural beauty from your base camp at Bird Island Basin campground (check the website for its operating status). Reservations for RV and tent camping are available on a first-come, first-served basis year-round. You will need to pick up a camping permit (for a nominal fee) from the campground host or kiosk to enjoy the serene campsites and basic amenities, such as fire rings and water. The area is known for its ideal windsurfing conditions at Laguna Madre, a protected hypersaline lagoon.