Is It Legal to Camp on a Beach?

Is It Legal to Camp on a Beach?

As we've established, the legality of camping differs depending on the beach. There are many factors that can play into whether or not a beach allows for camping. These factors may include popularity of the beach, crowdedness of the general area, and the area's history with allowing beach camping. Figuring out which beaches allowing camping may entail some research.

Popular beach states like Florida and California have many designated beaches that allow camping. These beaches are typically off the beaten path and not the ones most famously known as tourist destinations. These beaches also all have their own rules and regulations set out for where exactly along the beach camping is considered appropriate and where it is not.

For the most part, camping directly on the beach is not allowed even at beaches that do allowed beach camping. Instead, you are obliged to camp a little ways up from the shore, past the sand. The reason for this is both to protect the shoreline from waste and to protect campers from rapidly shifting shores.

The reason that many beaches are so strict about camping is that camping often poses a great risk to the environment. Even daytrippers will leave behind their fair share of waste, and the potential for littered waste multiplies when people are pitching up tents and setting up camp. If you are lucky enough to find yourself a great beach camp spot, be sure to take good care of it!

How Can I Find a Beach That Allows Camping?

As with anything, your best resources for finding beaches that approve of camping are going to be found online. Most people will already have some idea of location and time, so use that information to narrow down beaches that would be suitable for you. Once you've found a list of beaches in the area you've chosen, research those beaches and figure out whether or not they allow camping.

If your options are more open and you aren't sure where you want to head on your next vacation, try looking through travel logs and blogs for good camping beaches. There are plenty of people online sharing their experiences camping at various beaches across the country. Looking into things like this can help give you an idea of what you may be looking for on your own beach camping trip, as well as a location that can provide it.

What Are Some Popular Beaches That Allow Camping?

Crystal Cove State Park in California

Located fairly close to Los Angeles, Crystal Cove State Park is a convenient and popular location for beach camping in the southern part of California. There are multiple campgrounds available that include access to the beach. However, the plentiful hiking trails throughout the dense forests of the region might provide even more enticing activities for campers. There are just under 20 miles of trails through the backcountry of this coastal area that make this both the perfect beach campground and the perfect California campground in general.

Full amenities are available for RV goers, but tent campers are also welcome. Year-round camping is available, though be sure to get a reservation. This is a pretty popular spot, especially given it's leniency on camping, and you won't want to risk showing up spontaneously and finding no vacant lots.

Tillicum Beach Campground in Oregon

While Florida and California may be the first states you think of when it comes to beaches, you shouldn't count Oregon out. The fact that states like Oregon aren't as widely known for their beaches means they might be more open to camping in general. If you want to try camping at a beach in Oregon, you should look no further than Tillicum Beach Campground.

Tillicum Beach Campground is the perfect location to envelope yourself in Oregon's long and isolated sand dunes. For those who have never experienced the true seclusion a beach can offer, camping here will open up a brand new world of beach camping possibilities. Despite offering the sensation that you are in the midst of a vast wilderness, Teillicum Beach Campground is less than an hour away from the city of Newport.

There are RV hookups and amenities available, though not directly on the beach. Restrictions are not quite as lenient on tent camping. There are also public restrooms that both tent and RV campers can utilize. As with other Oregon locations, weather can be a bit of an issue in the winter and fall. For this reason, late spring and summer are the best times to visit Tillicum Beach Campground.

Padre Island National Seashore in Texas

Padre Island National Seashore prides itself on having the single largest stretch of undeveloped land of any barrier island in the world. Of course, this simple fact has made this destination one of the preeminent beaches to visit in all of Texas. The fact that camping is tolerated is simply icing on the cake.

There is much to explore year-round at Padre Island National Seashore, and it may take several days to see everything there is to see. Hook-ups and amenities are available for RV campers and tent campers alike. One of the most popular activities here is windsurfing, as this beach features ideal winds and weather for the sport throughout most months.

Biscayne National Park in Florida

If we have to pick just one beach to camp on in Florida, we'll go with Biscayne National Park. Located conveniently near the city of Miami, Biscayne National Park quite literally plunges you into the glorious clear waters of the Florida coastline. By that we mean that you're going to have to take a ferry to get there.

It would be a waste to camp here without bringing or renting some snorkeling gear as these locations feature some of the most glorious coral reefs Florida has to offer. As well, the lush forests around the region offer plenty to explore as far as hiking is concerned. If you want to see what Florida beach camping is all about without trekking too far off the beaten path, you can do no better.

Although camping is technically year-round, the ferry can sometimes stop operating under extreme weather conditions. If you are planning a camping trip to Biscayne National Park, be sure to check beforehand that the ferry is available and that no bad weather is on the horizon. With proper caution and planning, this is likely to be one of the best times you'll have beach camping in America.

Kalaloch Campground in Washington

Finally, let's not leave Washington off of this list! Similarly to Oregon, Washington tends to be glossed over in many conversations pertaining to beaches in America. However, just like with Oregon, this only makes the beaches that much more perfect for camping!

Located on the outskirts of Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Campground is one of the most sought-after campgrounds in all of Washington. The landscape this location offers is arguably even more lush than Biscayne National Park, thanks in large part to Washington's immense rainfall. However, this rainfall also means you are going to want to bring a waterproof tent.

Another great thing about Washington beaches is the unique wildlife. Particularly popular along the Washington coast is birding. It is unlikely you will go an entire trip without spotting at least one bald eagle.

Is There Anything Else I Should Keep in Mind When Beach Camping?

Of course, beach camping entails a whole new host of challenges for anyone who has never experienced it. There are many things that set beach camping apart from traditional camping. If you've never been beach camping before, here are some helpful hints to keep in mind for your first trip.

Don't Sleep Directly on the Beach!

You may imagine sleeping directly on the sand, or with nothing but a towel or a sleeping bag. Despite how romantic this notion might seem in your head, it's going to be far less so when put in practice. Anyone who has ever been to the beach knows how hard it is to get sand out of your clothes, shoes, and even your luggage. Even if you don't want to, taking a tent along with you can make all the difference when it comes to your comfort level.

Beaches Can Get Cold at Night

Even in the midst of a record-breaking hot summer, beaches are known to get fairly cold at night. The mixture of the water and the winds creates some pretty low temperatures once the sun goes down. This fact can take a lot of beach campers by surprise.

No matter what time of year, bringing along some warm clothes is a necessity when beach camping. Regardless of how hot the days are, you won't regret having an extra layer available when night time comes around. Even if everybody else is laughing at you when the sun's out, they'll envy you once it goes down.

Night Swimming Isn't the Best Idea

Another romantic notion a lot of people have is swimming in the ocean at night. However, this honestly isn't the best idea, even for the most experienced swimmers. Anyone who has seen the movie "Jaws" can attest to this.

Despite the increased presence of sharks at night, there is also a severely decreased presence of lifeguards and other emergency personnel. If you go swimming in the ocean at night, you're taking your life into your hands. It won't be so romantic once your loved one gets sucked into the darkness of the ocean.

Drinking Ocean Water Will Just Make You Sick and Even More Thirsty

Yeah, the ocean is water... but not the kind you want to drink. When you're going beach camping, don't assume you're not going to need water just because you're on the beach. Anyone who has ever accidentally drank ocean water knows it's not going to cut it.

Thankfully, most reputable beaches that allow camping also have hook-ups and amenities available. These often include access to water and public restrooms. Be sure to check beforehand that the location you are visiting provides water for drinking, otherwise you'll need to bring your own.

Take Care of the Beach Environment and Wildlife!

As we've already discussed, the reason beach camping is generally restricted is because campers don't always respect the beaches. Despite being so large, the oceans are vulnerable, and anything you leave behind can affect their ecosystem. Be sure to pick up all your trash and take it with you, unless the campground you are visiting provides other means of disposal.

As well, keep in mind that fires are generally frowned upon when beach camping. Although they are allowed at certain locations, the vast majority of beaches that do allow camping will not allow fires. One reason for this is that fires can get out of hand fairly easily given the immense winds.

Before camping on the beach, you are going to want to invest in a portable stove. Portable stoves are convenient, easy-to-use, and help contain both the fire and your mess. Keep all this in mind, and you'll have a great time camping on the beach!