Any good ideas on East Coast beaches to take the family camping? We would drive from DC. An ideal location would be a nice camping area, minimum facilities (shower and toilet), nice beach area, close enough to quiet dinner or pub for the adults.

We visited the Outer Banks off of North Carolina several years back. I know there were some camping areas in the more southern areas of the Outer Banks. There was one right on the beach. The Outer Banks are beautiful and at that time were quite isolated.

Any idea on beaches in Florida?

Lewes Beach, Delaware seems to be the place that people talk about when camping near a beach or Indian River Inlet in Delaware. do searches on them and check it out.. your welcome.. dantheman

I know this was posted a good while back, but I just got back from Hunting Island, SC and it honestly was one of the most beautiful places along the beach I have seen in the states. It was a really great camping area and the beach was beautiful! This time of year the loggerhead turtles begin to lay their eggs on the island too so it is pretty cool. You should definitely check it out! It is really close to Beaufort, SC if you find it tough to find info about Hunting Island. Hope you enjoy!

Yes, this was posted quite some time ago, but just in case anyone looks at it in the future...

A nice camping beach easily accessible from DC is just south of Ocean City, MD at Assateague. There are two camping beaches there - the state park and the national seashore. The state park has more amenities (like HOT showers), the national seashore has cold showers, but is generally quieter with more of a "remote" feel. Both are good. Be prepared for blowing sand... (esp when preparing food).

For the Florida question, Gamble Rogers - north of Daytona Beach and south of St Augustine is nice. It has amenities and many spots look right out over the ocean - plus there is a really nice beach. It can still be cool/cold in winter - definitely too cold to swim - but can be nice for beach walking.

Down in the Florida Keys, Long Key has ALL spots looking directly over the ocean - within a few feet of the ocean, but there really isn't a sandy beach. You can still be in the water though - pending jellyfish.

Further down the Keys, Bahia Honda has SOME spots on the water - most are not - but there are 3 really nice beaches and the campground is a favorite of many.

On the West Coast of Florida - a Pinellas County Park - Ft Desoto - is an awesome campground. Many spots look out over water, though the actual sandy beaches are a couple of miles away from where you camp. This place has all the amenities too - and is simply awesome. You can tour what's left of the old fort - or beachwalk for miles. In the winter it's not that crowded - though too cold to swim. You probably won't get waterfront, but they tend to save some spots for first come, first served here. To get better spots, make a reservation, but beware, last I knew they didn't refund money or take cancellations.

For all of the rest, you are likely to need reservations in their peak seasons.

We've been at all of them and would easily return...