10 Uncrowded East Coast Beaches for Campers

Sun, waves, a good book, and sand between your toes, there’s so much to love about a summer camping trip along the Atlantic Ocean. What’s not to love? The crowds. Luckily, there are plenty of spots to visit and camp where you can enjoy both the ocean and some solitude.

Here are a few of our favorite East Coast beach camping spots to explore this summer.

Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, Florida

How to access: Anastasia State Park is located 10 minutes south of Saint Augustine, Florida on Route A1A. 

What to expect: You’d think that being rated a top beach by USA Today would make the beach at Anastasia State Park one of the busiest in the country. And while it does see a good amount of visitation in the summer, it never feels that way. Why? Anastasia has 4 miles of wide, flat white sand beaches that give everyone plenty of space to spread out. Add in a spacious parking lot and you have a camping haven on Florida’s Historic Coast.

Where to camp nearby: Anastasia State Park features a well-loved 139-site campground for tents and RVs up to 38 feet long. It’s pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, and even has a Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library for the kiddos. 

For a bit more peace and quiet, check out nearby Hipcamps Ocean Grove RV Resort, Anastasia Island RV Pad Rental, and Waterfront Camp/Glamp/RV.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

How to access: Jekyll Island is 1.5 hours from both Savannah, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Florida. There’s an $8/day parking fee on the island, which can be purchased upon arrival.

What to expect: Despite the name, there is nothing two-faced about Georgia’s beautiful Jekyll Island. This one-time millionaires’ playground is now a lightly developed barrier island surrounded by stunning beaches and natural dunes. Explore the island’s 10 miles of unspoiled coastline, and when you need a break from the sun, hop on the 24 miles of paved bike path that connects everything the island has to offer. 

Where to camp nearby: Secluded camping abounds near Jekyll Island. For a true escape, check out Camp at The Red Roofed Inn and Belle Bluff Island Campground on Hipcamp. Not quiet enough? The Parks Place at Commodore Island Hipcamp can be accessed only via a 30-minute boat ride from nearby Darien, Georgia. 

Hunting Island State Park, Beaufort County, South Carolina

How to access: Hunting Island State Park is located 16 miles east of Beaufort, South Carolina, on Route 21.

What to expect: Soak in the beauty of charming seaside towns with a visit to Hunting Island State Park. Though popular, this spot feels surprisingly remote, even at the height of tourist season. 

Explore saltwater marshes, 5 miles of beaches, and a shady maritime forest that is perfect for taking a break from the dog days of summer. Speaking of dogs, this beach is dog-friendly year-round—a rarity on the East Coast.

Where to camp nearby: Enjoy East Coast beach camping at its best at Happy Camper, Lott Farms – Among the Live Oaks, and Lowcountry Live Oaks, all available on Hipcamp. Hunting Island State Park Campground also offers camping for tents and RVs with hookups.

Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro, North Carolina

How to access: Hammocks Beach State Park is located on North Carolina’s Crystal Coast, a 1.5-hour drive north of Wilmington, North Carolina.

What to expect: North Carolina’s Outer Banks get all the attention, but tucked just south of those illustrious shores is the Crystal Coast, a laid-back stretch of sandy beaches edged with pretty towns full of seafood restaurants, boutique shops, and golf courses. At Hammocks Beach State Park, you’ll find hiking trails and a ferry service to Bear Island, a 4-mile-long undeveloped barrier island ripe for exploration.

Where to camp nearby: Get a taste of the good life on the Crystal Coast with a stay at Hipcamps like Black Barn Farm, Cedar Island Ranch, or Ocean View Micro Farm.

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland 

How to access: Assateague Island National Seashore is situated just south of Ocean City, Maryland.

What to expect: While Ocean City is bustling and hectic, its coastal neighbor, Assateague Island National Seashore, is spacious and wild. Known for its famous wild ponies, Assateague is so much more than these popular equines, with paddling routes through the bay, a wind-swept beach for relaxing, and a bike path that stretches the length of the park. 

Don’t miss a stop at the thoughtfully curated visitor center for an education on the unique beauty of barrier islands or a day trip to nearby Chincoteague, Virginia.

Where to camp nearby: Check out Hipcamps like Shine & Rise Magic Food Forest or rest in the calm waters of the Eastern Shore near Arlington Farms Camping.

Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware

How to access: Camp Henlopen State Park is located on Delaware’s Eastern Shore, 2 hours from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland.

What to expect: Hiking through wildflowers? Check. Miles of wild coastline? Check. Tour of a World War II battery? Check. If you’re looking for that perfect mix of nature and human stories, you’ll find them here on the Delaware shore’s Cape Henlopen State Park. 

This family-friendly destination has a little something for everyone, including a touch tank for kids, free bike rentals for weekend warriors, and an observation tower for epic views.

Where to camp nearby: Stretch out on this quiet span of shoreline with a stay at nearby Hipcamps Emily’s Place or Working Horse Farm. Cape Henlopen State Park also offers camping at its 153-site beach campground.

Hither Hills State Park, Montauk, New York

How to access: Hither Hills State Park is on the eastern edge of Long Island, New York, near Montauk. Note that motorhomes, pop-ups, and trailers are not allowed in the oceanfront parking lot on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. 

What to expect: Montauk’s famous “walking dunes” can be found at Hither Hills State Park. Buffered by winds that are forever moving sand from the headlands to the interior, the “walking dunes” of Hither Hills shift up to 4 feet each year, creating a landscape that is constantly in motion. Add in a beachfront with staffed lifeguards and enough waves to break out the boogie board, and you have an epic summer road trip. 

Where to camp nearby: No tent? No problem. Check out the Yurt in the Hamptons Hipcamp for a slice of glamping heaven near this East Coast beach. Or pitch your tent or rig waterside at Peconic River Campgrounds on Hipcamp. 

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown, Rhode Island

How to access: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is located in Newport, Rhode Island. The easiest way to reach Newport includes a toll bridge suitable for all vehicles. 

What to expect: Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is a birder’s dream, with over 200 species of birds visiting this beautiful peninsula each year. (P.S. If you’re after bird camping spots, use the Audbon Society map layer when searching for Hipcamps and explore the IBAs collection).

If you prefer an Aviation cocktail over our avian friends, never fear, Sachuest Point is a stone’s throw from the ritzy town of Newport, where you can find all the glitz and glamor that comes with a long-time seaside resort. And not to spin any folklore, but just west of Newport is the quaint town of Westerly, home to Taylor Swift’s infamous beach house.

Where to camp nearby: Just across the bay from Sachuest Point and Newport are lovely Hipcamps 8 Acres Homestead and Sakonnet River Getaway.

Boston Harbor Islands, Boston, Massachusetts

How to access: Four of the Boston Harbor Islands are accessible via public ferry from Boston or Hingham, while four mainland parks in the system are reachable by vehicle. 

What to expect: Can you say urban oasis? The Boston Harbor Islands include 34 islands and peninsulas in the Atlantic Ocean, bringing the wild right into the heart of one of the East Coast’s major cities. Expect beautiful trails, coastal paddling, and a shoreline for dipping your toes far from the madding crowd. 

Where to camp nearby: Nineteen primitive campsites are available within the Boston Harbor Islands. For something a bit more comfortable, grab your tent or RV and head to Toi Moi Gloucester, Bakers Island Light Campsite (tent sites only), or Waterfront Cabin, all available on Hipcamp. 

Isle au Haut, Maine

How to access: Duck Harbor Campground in Acadia National Park is located on Isle au Haut and can only be reached via a first-come-first-served mailboat or by seasonal reservation with Isle au Haut Boat Services. No auto ferry exists.

What to expect: If you love being truly, truly wild, it’s possible that we saved the best for last. Acadia National Park is plenty busy during the summer, but Isle au Haut? You’ll have the place (mostly) to yourself. 

Located on a remote island off the coast of Maine, Isle au Haut is a little-known part of Acadia National Park that’s accessible only by mailboat and has five reservable camping lean-tos. But for those who want solitude and rugged beauty on an East Coast beach, there’s no better place to be. 

Where to camp nearby: Does Isle au Haut sound like a bit too much solitude for you? Stay closer to civilization at Hipcamps like Maine Wild Blueberry Bliss, Cabin Creek Farm, or The Birdhouse on Vinalhaven Island.

How to leave it better at East Coast beaches

It’s no secret that East Coast beaches can get crowded, especially during the height of summer. Whether you’re seeking a spot off the beaten path or joining the party at a popular destination, let’s keep these places as beautiful and wild as possible by picking up all trash and respecting closures for wildlife and safety. 

Be a good beach neighbor by not encroaching on other’s space, avoid loud music, and leave room for others to enjoy the water and the sand.

More ways to enjoy the water this summer

• Our Favorite Waterside Campgrounds in the U.S.
• Top Public Hot Springs in California
• The Best Swimming Holes in the Bay Area 
• The Best Springs in Texas with Nearby Camping
• The Best Beach Camping in Texas
• The Best Natural Swimming Holes in Texas