Camping right on the beach

[VanLifeCrisis]

Ive always romanticized about camping right on the beach. Ill be heading down to florida this fall/winter, is there a place to do this (preferably free or cheap)? any suggestions?

 

[ramblingvanman]

Right on the beach? Not AFAIK. I hope someone does know some good gulf coast spots. I love the ocean.

 

[ilovemyvan]

Hi Martin,

I know and stayed at 2 campgrounds on east central Florida. The first is not too badly priced considering the location, it is a state park and reservations are highly recommended and the sooner you make them the better. Here's the link

http://floridastateparks.reserveame...roundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281024.

Site 23, 21, 19 and maybe 17 are the best. They are on the ocean side and have no vegetation to obstruct the ocean view. They are almost impossible to get, but you never know. All sites are so closed to the water that you will sleep to the sound of the waves.

The other one is private and pricey like $80.00 for a night without utilities but if it is a dream you have the whole experience there. I backed the van and slept with the doors opened. You couldn't get any closer than that. If you decide to go there ask for a ocean view as far away from the spot lights as possible, so you really can see the ocean from your back door at night. Once again you probably want to reserve but you don't have to do it as much ahead of time as you would at the State Park.

http://beverlybeachcamptown.com/


A third place in the same area is http://www.palmcoastandtheflaglerbe.../30270602-Flagler-By-the-Sea-Campgrounds.stml
I never stayed there. It is also a private campground but way less pricey than Beverly. I don't know what that one is like.

If you want to get all the way down to the Keys, there is an other State Park there right on the ocean.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Long-Key

Once again you need reservation. You will be right on the beach there too but the wave are quiet around the Keys. It's a very different side of the ocean. One thing that I find extremely difficult to put up with in the Keys is the 'no-seem'(SP?). They are a mini version of mosquitos, they leave you with a burning itch. If you are one of the lucky one that is not bothered by mosquitos the no-seem will probably will leave you alone. The Keys are an expensive place to visit but quite unique.

I'm sure there are others but these are the only ones I know. Google map/earth is a good tool to find more. I just remember that Glen at 'tosimplify.net' stayed in Florida a few years ago and find quite a few stealth ocean view spots. It probably would be worth your while to explore his blog, if I'm not mistaken it was about 5 years ago so you will have to go back quite a way.

I'm not sure what kind of ocean you are picturing in that dream of yours so beware of the difference between the east coast with it's bigger and noisier waves. The Keys with it's very calm and quiet waves, the panhandle more like the east coast, and the west coast with medium size waves.

I'm so glad for you that you are finally getting on the road.

Nicole

 

[offroad]

Suggest getting a kayak/canoe and learn how to use the boat launch ramps to get out to areas that you want to stay at. More options. Also there is a book on Florida Beach camping locations and ratings.

http://amzn.com/0813032237

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I have an inflatable kayak, not sure how confident id be on the ocean with one tho.

Ill look into that guy, i wouldn't mind packing a tent in at all.

 

[akrvbob]

If it's along your path, their is abundant beach camping on the Texas Gulf. I don't know the details but I'm sure someone does here.
Bob

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

24 hour limit, be nice and they may not say anything. I had a local Leo stop in, I thought he was going to tell me to note the 24 hour sign, I had been there 3 days. He just wanted to talk about my dog and my little camper. I went on a date with him when he went off duty, real nice older gentleman, almost as old as me. That wasn't reported on my blog. What happens on Bob's forum, stays on Bob's forum.
People were camping in tents in the dunes too. This was my experience, I've camped at 2 different sites, once in Feb, once in May. http://www.chasingflowers.com/2015/07/why-not-be-kind.html

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

lovely post! thank you. ive been on a bit of a mission to be nicer and check my irish temper

which access point was that at?

 

[SternWake]

I very much miss camping on the beach in Baja.  I used to do this for weeks at a time:

Have not returned in 7 years now.  Freaking meth addicts ruined the vibe for me.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

very nice pic. maybe things got better over the yrs, stuff seems to ebb and flo. maybe ask around if its still bad

 

[compassrose]

As far as I know, you cannot park overnight on any of the beaches in FL unless in an actual campground. You can camp on the beach in TX. On North Padre Island (Corpus Christi Area) you will need the parking permit to park for anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 days when you have to move down or up the beach a bit. Parking permits are bought at any Stripes convenience store for $12 and good for the calendar year (Jan - Dec).

http://www.cctexas.com/government/p...-services/beaches/beach-parking-permits/index

http://www.visitcorpuschristitx.org/see-and-do/beaches/