Beach Camping

[JTW5]

Does anyone know of some good spots to camp on the beach? Looking for the GA,SC,FL coast lines. I am wanting to plan a trip for the end of July/Mid August time frame. I will be leaving out of Birmingham and would like to be able to drive there in about 4-6 hours. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Nick_Gomez81]

Hey buddy, I live in Tampa and this is the closest thing to beach camping I know of here. Never camped there myself though. Hope it helps.

Fort De Soto Park - Pinellas County

Fort De Soto park offers a wealth of bird life, sea life, wildlife and plant life across five interconnected islands. Swim, fish, visit the dog park or the museum. There's plenty to do!

www.pinellascounty.org

 

[Epage]

Does anyone know of some good spots to camp on the beach? Looking for the GA,SC,FL coast lines. I am wanting to plan a trip for the end of July/Mid August time frame. I will be leaving out of Birmingham and would like to be able to drive there in about 4-6 hours. Thanks in advance for any help.

Check out the National Seashore - Ft Pickens in Pensacola, FL. It's a great place to camp
The beaches are amazing.

 

[Rd62]

You could look at Hunting Island State Park in SC

 

[JTW5]

Check out the National Seashore - Ft Pickens in Pensacola, FL. It's a great place to camp
The beaches are amazing.

Do they allow camping with a RTT at Ft. Pickens? I have had a few people suggest that one, but talked about how strict they are.

 

[DirtyDan]

Huguenot is a really nice beach you can drive on and camp in north Florida.

 

[SandlapperOverland]

Speaking for South Carolina...Edisto Beach State Park has half of the Park on the beach and the other half on the marsh.

It fills up fast and is pretty expensive.

Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach State Park are in the general area of the beach.

There are also two or three commercial ocean campgrounds near Myrtle Beach; Ocean Lakes, Pirate Land and Lakewood Campgrounds.

Other than Edisto, Huntington would be my pick because there is a “castle” there (google Atalaya).

If you can deal with not being on the ocean but close to it, Buck Hall Recreation Area in McClellanville, SC is about 15-20 minutes from the Isle of Palms and you’re smack dab on the intracoastal waterway. Buck Hall from what I gather is like a hidden gem; few know about it.

Attached are a couple pics of Buck Hall:

View attachment 107499View attachment 107498

 

[Sasquatch SC]

Edisto is amazing, there are a few along the inshore areas as well. Several different options in the ACE basin between Edisto & Hilton Head if you look.

 

[Noble Savage]

Does anyone know of some good spots to camp on the beach? Looking for the GA,SC,FL coast lines. I am wanting to plan a trip for the end of July/Mid August time frame. I will be leaving out of Birmingham and would like to be able to drive there in about 4-6 hours. Thanks in advance for any help.

Also try Mosquito Lagoon/Canaveral National Seashore. It’s a little less than a hour drive from Orlando and Daytona beach. It goes from Oak Hill down to Titusville and you can rent islands to camp on for cheap. My gf and I have done it before and used our hammocks on the island. It’s a nice little paddle out to an island and it’s amazing scenery.

 

[Viking1204]

South Walton County in NW Florida might give you what you're looking for, never been but looks nice. I know they let residents drive on the beach so not sure if campers can, probably not. The state park below has all sorts of campsites and 3.2 miles of beach access.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Named for its tall dunes rising above the emerald waters of the gulf like a ship's sail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin.

www.floridastateparks.org

2/3/20 - Updated link to the correct link to the State park, not sure what happened with the old link. I'll actually be going to this park and spending a couple of nights there the second weekend in April!

 

[Epage]

Ft Pickens on Pensacola Beach. There are a number of sites across 3 or 4 areas within the grounds. While not ON the beach. You can hear the waves and take a short walk to the beach.

 

[DWL]

If you are heading as far north as NC I would recommend Freeman Park in Carolina Beach. Great drive on beach with camping back against the dunes. You will wake up to people fishing and dogs running off leash (depending on the time of year). 4 wheel drive is a must unless you want to be laughed at when you get stuck. Unfortunately not all of the beach is open any more due to erosion with the recent storms and occasional people driving like idiots and causing damage (and getting stuck and laughed at as well).

Overnight Camping at Freeman Park

CAMPING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN CHANGED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020, OVERNIGHT CAMPING WILLREQUIRE RESERVATIONS AND COST IS 50 PER NIGHT OVERNIGHT CAMPING CHANGESEffective January 1, 2020, the following changes will take effect related to overnight camping in Freeman Park Overnight camping will only...

www.carolinabeach.org

 

[Epage]

Do they allow camping with a RTT at Ft. Pickens? I have had a few people suggest that one, but talked about how strict they are.

RTT? Real time text? I don't see why not.

 

[Wallygator]

If you are heading as far north as NC I would recommend Freeman Park in Carolina Beach. Great drive on beach with camping back against the dunes. You will wake up to people fishing and dogs running off leash (depending on the time of year). 4 wheel drive is a must unless you want to be laughed at when you get stuck. Unfortunately not all of the beach is open any more due to erosion with the recent storms and occasional people driving like idiots and causing damage (and getting stuck and laughed at as well).

Overnight Camping at Freeman Park

CAMPING REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN CHANGED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2020, OVERNIGHT CAMPING WILLREQUIRE RESERVATIONS AND COST IS 50 PER NIGHT OVERNIGHT CAMPING CHANGESEffective January 1, 2020, the following changes will take effect related to overnight camping in Freeman Park Overnight camping will only...

www.carolinabeach.org

Couldn't find the info so I am guessing you need a day pass and then the $50 a night to camp. Getting expensive.

 

[DWL]

Couldn't find the info so I am guessing you need a day pass and then the $50 a night to camp. Getting expensive.

I thought the driving pass was included with camping last year. They also sell an annual driving pass for 200$ but it is discounted if you buy it locally from now until the end of net month.

I completly agree on it being a bit pricey but I have yet to find a better beach camping option in the semi close area.

 

[Wallygator]

I thought the driving pass was included with camping last year. They also sell an annual driving pass for 200$ but it is discounted if you buy it locally from now until the end of net month.

I completly agree on it being a bit pricey but I have yet to find a better beach camping option in the semi close area.

Yeah that annual pass sounds like a really good deal if you live close and go often.

 

[JMTOVERLAND]

I thought the driving pass was included with camping last year. They also sell an annual driving pass for 200$ but it is discounted if you buy it locally from now until the end of net month.

I completly agree on it being a bit pricey but I have yet to find a better beach camping option in the semi close area.

New regulations of January 1st 2020 no camping allowed between memorial day and labor day 50 a night for off season camping. Photo from this Christmas eve. So 1 last free night of campingView attachment 132244

 

[DWL]

New regulations of January 1st 2020 no camping allowed between memorial day and labor day 50 a night for off season camping. Photo from this Christmas eve. So 1 last free night of campingView attachment 132244

Well that’s just about the worst thing to read today. Any other good leads on beach camping in this area? I’m about 2.5 hours north west of there and this was always one of my favorite trips.

 

[Viking1204]

South Walton County in NW Florida might give you what you're looking for, never been but looks nice. I know they let residents drive on the beach so not sure if campers can, probably not. The state park below has all sorts of campsites and 3.2 miles of beach access.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Named for its tall dunes rising above the emerald waters of the gulf like a ship's sail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin.

www.floridastateparks.org

2/3/20 - Updated link to the correct link to the State park, not sure what happened with the old link. I'll actually be going to this park and spending a couple of nights there the second weekend in April!

Link updated!

 

[Viking1204]

I'll actually being staying at Topsail Preserve State Park the weekend of February 28th - March 1! I'll post how things went when I return. Looks pretty nice, they have dedicated tent sites with 16' tent pad areas, a fire pit ring with grill grate, water and electricity in a more secluded setting. There are also bathrooms with hot showers nearby, total with taxes and fees for two nights is $60. Below are some pictures of the tent areas, I think my boys and I are going to have a great time with freshwater lakes and the Gulf near by for fishing with bike and hiking trails throughout the park!

View attachment 138591View attachment 138592View attachment 138593