TL;DR: RV beach camping offers iconic experiences from ocean waves to sandy sunsets. Discover top campgrounds in CA, OR, WA, TX, LA, and WY, and get tips for beach boondocking. Enjoy the tranquility and be prepared for unique challenges like tides and sand management.
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Your Guide To RV Beach Camping (RV Camping Locations Included)
The idea of camping on the beach is iconic. The ever-present crushing waves, the sounds of gulls calling in the air, the cool breeze across your BBQ grill in the evening. Beach camping is the stuff of mystique. For this reason every year millions search out campgrounds with beaches all across the United States. A quick search for the keyword “beach” at CampgroundViews.com returns 1647 campgrounds with beaches. Some near the ocean, others near lakes and still others along rivers and private swimming ponds. No matter what type of beach you seek, the closest one may be closer than you think. Let’s take a look at a few across the country.
Lompoc, CA Harking back to a century gone by there is still a place in California untouched by development. Located along the Central Coast Jalama Beach is one of the most amazingly situated campgrounds in the United States. Accessed via a two-lane, winding and twisty road this campground is bordered by waves on one side and an elevated train track on the other with an occasional Amtrak passing by. Partial hookup and primitive hookup camping spots that can handle everything from a larger RV, up on the hillside, to small trailers and tents on the beach sand. Well known by locals this campground is a far way off from major cities and is therefore one of those locations where all the locals now swear our name for sharing it with you.
Yachats, OR Tillicum Beach Campground is popular for many reasons, but the number one and most obvious is its location right on the beach. Campers are lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean waves, then wake to sweeping views of the Pacific. The campground offers an ideal location for whale watching. Most campsites have beachfront views, and sunsets are not to be missed. Fishing, swimming and playing in the sand are the campground’s most popular activities. The campground offers several single-family campsites, a few of which have both electric and water hookups. Sites with hookups are not on the waterfront. Due to the campground’s popularity, it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided but there are no showers. The coastal campground lies a couple miles south of where the Alsea River meets the Pacific 5 Ocean. Tillicum is perfectly perched on the sandy beach yet it still offers some shade. The campground offers views of both the ocean and the Coastal Range.
Campers enjoy Tillicum for its expansive sandy beach. Surfers and swimmers play in the waves just off-shore. Children love building sandcastles on the beach. Walking along the beach is a great way to explore the area. Cape Perpetua is 6 miles south, where visitors can wander through old-growth Sitka spruce, experience the crashing surf, investigate tide pools, whale watching or take a guided hike. Waldport, just 4 miles north, provides access to fishing, crabbing, clamming and shrimping in the Alsea Bay and River.
Tillicum Beach Campground is popular for many reasons, but the number one is that most of the 61 campsites have beachfront views. The campground offers several single-family campsites, a few of which have both electric and water hookups. Sites with hookups are not on the waterfront. Due to the campground’s popularity, it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided but there are no showers.
Clarkston, WA Both a remote and unique campground, Chief Timothy checks most of the boxes adventuring campers look for including:
Chief Timothy Park in Clarkston Washington offers 66 full to primitive hookup camping sites on a 282-acre island on Lower Granite Lake in the Snake River. The park is known as the gateway to Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, the deepest river gorge in North America and an 7 area of striking scenery, abundant cultural history and outdoor adventure.
Accessed via a causeway from US 12 (Lewis and Clark Scenic Highway) the park has paved roads and paved parking pads (for RVs). Tent sites and cabins are located in a mowed and watered grassy area. Guests have access to fresh water fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking and a scenic setting to enjoy all the views. The park is home to a monument to Lewis and Clark and the Native People that helped their journey and the establishment of the Western Frontier. Full hookup sites are available on the primary leg along the waterfront. A swim beach and playground are available. Restrooms with hot showers are located throughout the property.
Clarkston, WA Yes, even locations in Wisconsin have beaches! River Bend RV Resort in Watertown, Wisconsin offers partial hookup RV and tent camping with abundant family friendly activities. Paved roads with packed gravel pad sites are set in an open setting with plenty of shade around. Any size RV can fit into the park and tents are allowed. River Bend RV Resort also has cabins for rent. Guests have access to a pool area with two 300 foot water-slides and a bar area; another regular bar and restaurant is available too. Two playgrounds, ball courts, swim pond with water features provides further family-friendly amenities. A total of 640 sites the park is member-owned with 463 permanent sites while the remainder are short-term sites open to overnight guests. River Bend RV Resort is a family-friendly facility with scheduled activities. Guest amenities also include a laundry, restrooms with showers, a camp store and public areas. They also have two full scale RC off-road race tracks. Learn More
Port Aransas, TX Port Aransas Beach is a city on Mustang Island near Corpus Christi, Texas. The area is beautiful and boondocking on the beach is allowed. With a $12 permit, which is good for one full year, you can camp any 3 days in a 3 week period. You are able to have a small fire. They have a fishing pier, and the sand is packed down enough for even the heaviest rigs. This is a spot worth checking out.
Creole, LA Rutherford Beach is 45 miles south of Lake Charles, LA. People love this beach for pelican-watching during the day and the sunsets in the evening. Beachcatcher.com gave this a 4.5 star rating! But keep in mind there is a 14-day stay limit at Rutherford Beach. And there are porta potties, dumpsters, and seasonal showers too! Another great spot on the Gulf of Mexico.
Laramie, WY If you are looking for a freshwater beach, check out Lake Hattie. This picturesque lake is about 20 miles west of downtown Laramie, WY. There are vault toilets in this area and a few fire rings. Lake Hattie is limited to 5 days of camping. And if you have a larger rig, you might not be able to be right on the beach, but you won’t miss out on the views! Any Class B RV would have no problem being right next to the water. If you decide to have a fire, use extreme caution and follow the local fire warnings.
The only thing better than camping on the beach is boondocking on the beach.
When looking for a boondocking spot, scout out your options ahead of time. This isn’t just to find the best spot. You need to be sure your rig is equipped to make it back out. And you’ll want to check out what amenities are there. Is there potable water? Are there dumping stations, toilets, or even showers? These things matter when scouting out a possible spot. One of the main differences between boondocking and a campground is you need to do all of the planning yourself.
Weather near the ocean is a little different. Flooding can be a legitimate issue and can change the packing of the sand. This isn’t to scare you away from boondocking on the beach—it is amazing! But have a plan if the weather turns on you. Keep an eye on the weather and have a plan to get to higher ground, if needed.
Reading tides is a good skill to develop. I am from the Midwest, and tides weren’t a part of my life until I started traveling. The first time I went to camp on the beach, I saw the shoreline and started setting up my tent a safe distance from the water. As soon as I had my last stake in the ground, someone came along and told me I would wake up in the ocean if I stayed there. Be aware of the difference between high tide and low tide. This tidal difference determines a lot. When you are boondocking, there aren’t always a lot of people there to help inform your decisions. A good rule of thumb is to stay where the ground is packed down.
Sand castles, toes in the sand, and sunbathing are just some of the things that make the beach a dream destination. But be aware that your RV will quickly be filled with sand too. Ask anyone who has ever camped on the beach, and they will tell you they have to sweep out their rig daily. If you add a dog into the equation, I promise you will be doing it multiple times a day. In my opinion, it is worth the extra time sweeping.
Here are a couple things I do to help with this little nuisance:
Boondocking on the beach is something every RVer needs to experience. The sound of crashing waves on the shore hits the ear just a little better when you are doing it for free—or for a nominal expense in some cases. With a little planning and the willingness to drive a few extra miles, you can experience the tranquility of beach boondocking yourself.
