Top Camping Beaches in United States
Located in the city of Malibu, Leo Carrillo State Beach is a wide and one-and-a-half-mile long beach that is part of the Leo Carrillo State Park. Leo Carrillo State Park is named after Leo Carrillo, an actor and preservationist, who served on the California Beach and Parks Commission for 18 years - and is 2,513 acres in size. Many prominent actors including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lewis, Nancy Sinatra, and Dick Clark have been featured in films shot at this park. Leo Carrillo State Beach is sometimes referred to as one beach – but it is commonly viewed as three separate beaches each with its access point: Leo Carrillo - North Beach, Leo Carrillo - South Beach, and Leo Carrillo - Staircase Beach. Sequit Point is a rocky area between Leo Carrillo - North Beach and Leo Carrillo - South Beach where you can see tide pools and sea caves during low tides.
Nestled between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach in Southern California, Crystal Cove State Park Beaches is known for its natural seashore and plentiful activities. To get to this beach, you can enjoy the scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, where you’ll find the Los Trancos Parking Lot that charges $5 per hour, or $15 per day.
Located near the town of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park is a state park that has multiple unnamed white sand beaches. One of the beaches in St. Andrews State Park is also known as Jetty Beach as it has a rocky jetty. While some of the beaches in St. Andrews State Park are present in mainland Bay County, the state park’s other beaches are present on a nearby seven-mile long island known as Shell Island. The beaches in St. Andrews State Park are favorites of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. The Gulf of Mexico water near St. Andrews State Park is popular among surfers. In addition, it is also popular among snorkelers and scuba divers, who often enter the water here to explore its vibrant biodiversity - depending on the time of the year, you can view many kinds of animals in the water near this state park including dolphins and sea turtles. In addition, the water here is also home to many kinds of fish including sheepshead, octopus, and rays. However, if you are planning to go into the water near St. Andrews State Park, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have rip currents. In addition, the water here is also known to occasionally have high levels of microbial contamination. If you are planning to fish in the water near St. Andrews State Park, we recommend following the local fishing regulations. If you like birdwatching, you can view many kinds of rare bird species on the beaches in St. Andrew State Park including snowy plovers and the least terns. St. Andrews State Park is spread over 12,000 acres and has a vibrant landscape with many habitats including sand dunes, marshlands, scrub forests, and pine flatwood forests. You can explore the park via the two nature trails present here. The state park also has a lake named Gator Lake. You can view many kinds of animals and birds in this state park including ibis, deer, alligators, the rare Choctawhatchee beach mouse, and heron. Shell Island, which is also managed by St. Andrews State Park, also offers an interesting insight into the local biodiversity. The state park also has World War Two-era military installations. St. Andrews State Park also has a campground that accommodates both tents and RVs. If you are planning to camp in St. Andrews State Park, you can visit the park’s webpage on Florida State Park website for more information regarding camping rules and amenities.
Located on St. George Island, Saint George Island State Park – which is also known as Dr. Julian G. Bruce St George Island Park – is a state park that has multiple unnamed white sand beaches that are situated along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay. One of the beaches in Saint George Island State Park is ranked as one of the best beaches in the United States by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is also known as Mr. Beach. Although
Located between the City of Marathon and Big Pine Key, Bahia Honda State Park sits upon 500 acres of Bahia Honda Pine and offers the quintessential “Florida experience” - palm studded white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, breathtaking sunsets and starry nights. The park is gradually recovering from damage by Hurricane Irma and parts of its 2.5 mile beach area are still being reconstructed for public use. However, this doesn’t mean that the park has lost its charm, as it offers numerous activities for visitors along with amenities like showers, restrooms, concession stands and picnic pavilions. The beach allows pets on leash and provides accessibility to people with disabilities. Although the park has parking facilities, it may be really hard to find a spot during vacations.
The site has two open beaches – Calusa Beach and Loggerhead Beach, having loads of activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, swimming, fishing and boat tours to nearby reefs. Paths for cycling and walking are also present. The picnicking sites in the area have several facilities to make your experience comfortable. The park is frequented by nature aficionados for exploring the vibrant biodiversity of the island, home to several rare species of plants and animals. Birdwatchers can look out for exotic shore birds. Hiking excursions are also available including one leading to the iconic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, which gives a picturesque view of Calusa Beach. The park also gives a clear view of the night sky for stargazing.
If you get hungry, you can visit the concession store in the park for snacks. The neighboring Keys also have great eateries, one being the iconic No Name Pub, named in the ZAGAT Survey as “the best casual dining experience in Florida Keys''. The Pub, 15 minutes away from the beach by car, is famous for its quirky dollar bill laden walls and treats like dips, burgers and its signature pizzas. Another popular joint less than a 10-minute drive away from the park is the Big Pine Rooster. The restaurant is popular for its diligent staff, airy ambience and an innovative menu. Be sure to visit Coco’s Kitchen, a family friendly place. Situated a short drive away from the park, the place offers great cubano cuisine at modest prices.
If you are looking for a place to stay near Bahia Honda State Park, don’t look further than their onsite campgrounds and cabins for an unforgettable experience with wilderness. Facilities like electricity, tables, grills and well-furnished cabin rooms make it ideal for lodging. The adjacent Keys also have nice accommodations, like Barnacle Bread and Breakfast, nine minutes away from the park by car. It is famous for its lavish rooms, great amenities. You might also encounter friendly key deer here! Another option is the Isla Bella Beach Resort, a 24 acre 4-Star resort 10 minutes away from the park by car and having luxuries including a 4000 square foot Spa, multiple fine dining options and a beautiful beachside bar.
Located in the coastal city of Virginia Beach in southeastern Virginia, First Landing Beach – also called First Landing State Park Beach and First Landing State Park Chesapeake Bay Beach – is a one-and-a-quarter mile long beach that has light brown sand and a few wooden pilings. First Landing Beach is a part of a larger state park named First Landing State Park.
First Landing Beach is open between 7 am to dusk.
Located near the city of St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park is a 1600-acre state park that has a four mile-long unnamed beach. This unnamed beach is also known as Anastasia State Park Beach. This beach is situated on an island named Anastasia Island. Tropical vegetation and sand dunes are also present near this beach.
Located in the city of Flagler Beach, Flagler Beach is a very long and wide beach situated in front of the Matanzas River. Also known as Flagler, Flagler Beach has beautiful golden-beige-colored sand and is surrounded by many old fallen tree stumps where you will find many families and couples.
Located in the city of Lompoc, Jalama Beach is a one-mile-long, wide, and rocky beach that is a part of a park named Jalama Beach County Park. Jalama Beach is situated near Halama, a historic Chumash Indian settlement at the point where Jalama Creek meets the North Pacific Ocean. The northern and southern ends of Jalama Beach are situated in front of Vandenberg Air Force Base and Cojo-Jalama Ranch respectively. Jalama Beach is a great place for birdwatching and has a campground with tents, RVs, seven reserved cabins, a camp store, and a restaurant called Jalama Beach Grill. Jalama Beach is a dog-friendly beach, but you will have to pay an extra fee for dogs.
Located near the northern end of Fort Bragg in Mendocino County, MacKerricher State Park - Main Beach is a mile-long beach with dark brown sand and sparse vegetation. The beach is situated below oceanfront bluffs and is part of MacKerricher State Park, known for its rocky shoreline and numerous metal beach-poles. The water near MacKerricher State Park - Main Beach is cold with strong currents. While the beach itself lacks lifeguards or amenities, the surrounding state park offers restrooms, picnic tables, and extensive hiking and biking trails. Dogs are welcome on leash. Access to MacKerricher State Park - Main Beach is convenient, located near 24100 MacKerricher State Park Road, easily reached from Shoreline Highway / Pacific Coast Highway via Mill Creek Drive. There's a free parking lot nearby.
Located in the city of Grover Beach, Pismo State Beach - Grover Beach is a large and wide beach with firm and light brown sand. The beach is situated within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, which is a part of a state park known as Pismo State Beach. It has sparse vegetation. Pismo State Beach - Grover Beach is the only beach present in the city of Grover Beach.
Located in the town of Waimea, Spencer Beach Park has a small, narrow, and white sand beach situated below Puʻukohola Heiau, a famous temple built by Kamehameha I. Spencer Beach Park was named after Samuel Mahuka Spencer, who was Hawaii’s county chairman for 20 years and was responsible for developing the north Kohala Coast. Spencer Beach Park is an awesome family-friendly picnicking spot with open grassy lawns, large shade trees, and a large population of birds. The beach is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing as it is protected by an outside reef and the harbor breakwater.
Located near the community of Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach is a mile-long beach with white sand. It is part of Grayton Beach State Park. Travel+Leisure magazine has listed it as one of the best beaches in Florida, and Lonely Planet magazine has listed it as one of the best beaches in the United States. It is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. Because of its cleanliness, it has received a Blue Wave certification.
The beach is open between 8 am and sunset.
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