Great Beach Camping Destinations: 4 Top Beach Campgrounds from Around the U.S.

No matter where you live in the country, the opportunity for great beach camping is within reach. Here are four great spots for beach camping in different parts of the U.S.

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys

Located at mile marker 37 on US1, Bahia Honda State park is one of the best and most scenic state parks in Florida. There are 3 campgrounds in the park with a total of 80 campsites for both tents and RVs. Campsite rental is $31.49 and they are very popular so if you don't have a reservation your chances of getting a site are limited. This is definitely one of my favorite places to camp in the world. The facilities are clean and if you are lucky enough you can pitch your tent just steps from the ocean. The Florida Keys definitely aren't known for their beaches but I have to say that Bahia Honda might be the one exception. Aside from the great beach, the experience of camping in the Florida Keys is unique in itself. There is a very laid back feel to the campground and tons of interesting wildlife and vegetation that you won't see anywhere else. Another plus is the park's proximity to Key West; which is only a few miles down US1. If you want to take a break from lounging around on the beach, Key West offers almost unlimited entertainment possibilities, just be sure to use a designated driver or take a cab heading back to Bahia Honda; the cops are definitely on the lookout and more importantly it's the safe and responsible thing to do.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bahiahonda/default.cfm

Illinois Beach State Park, Zion, IL

Yes, Illinois does have beach camping. Illinois Beach State Park, located in Zion, IL is part of the Illinois state park system. It's located directly on Lake Michigan and it is the only state park campground in Illinois that allows alcohol (although some of the specific camp sites are booze-free so be sure to check this when making your reservation if partying is your thing). The park itself is fairly large (4,160 acres) but much of it is made up of wetlands and wooded area. I'm told that there is decent fishing and lots of trails for biking and hiking but the best part about camping here is definitely the beach. The campground itself is separated from the beach by about 20 yards of small sand dunes, which is nice because the dunes block the wind coming off the lake. Camp site rental is $30 and it's best to reserve a site if you can to make sure you get a good one; but I've just shown up several times and had no problem getting a site. The best sites are the ones right on the dunes not only because they are pretty much on the beach but also because they have FAR fewer mosquitoes than the wooded campsites away from the sand. Of course Lake Michigan is a little chilly but the beach itself is large and uncrowded. For those of us stuck in the Midwest, Illinois Beach State Park is a great place to go for a beach get-away (in the summer of course).

http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/LANDMGT/PARKS/R2/ILBEACH.HTM

Malibu Beach RV Park, Malibu, CA

Yes you read that correctly, Malibu does have a campground (there were several unsuccessful lawsuits aimed at preventing its development). Although not technically "on" the beach, Malibu Beach RV Park is absolutely my favorite place in the world to camp. So much so that I almost didn't include it in this list because I wanted to keep it a secret. The campground consists of 142 RV sites and 35 tents sites carved into the side of a mountain overlooking the Pacific. It is right on the Pacific Coast Highway and is easy to miss. I will admit, I'm a little partial to Southern California (maybe more than a little) but to me there is no better place in the world to pitch a tent and relax than the ocean view tent sites at Malibu Beach RV Park. The campground is essentially one winding uphill road with RV sites on either side and tent sites at the very top overlooking it all (with an amazing view of the Malibu coast and the Pacific). There's not a whole lot to it, for those hardcore campers that prefer lots of hiking/activities this is not the place for you. But if you are the type of person who likes to set up your tent, fire up the grill, and relax with a cold beverage while enjoying a beautiful view, then the tent sites here are definitely what you're looking for. The facilities are nice as far as campgrounds go and you really can't beat waking up to the sound of the surf in the morning or the excellent sunsets at night. Another point worth mentioning for those of your who haven't spent much time in Southern California, the dry climate mixed with the ocean breeze means no mosquitoes, I mean ZERO. This may seem a little silly to include but unless you've camped in the woods of northern Wisconsin in July you cannot understand how truly AMAZING this is. Rates for the campsites vary depending on the time of year and I recommend making reservations if you're planning on staying over a weekend.

http://www.maliburv.com/

Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina

Hunting Island State Park is located near the southern tip of South Carolina, about 16 miles from Beaufort, South Carolina. The beach here is amazing, it's not crowded at all and if you're lucky or plan ahead you can get a site that is literally steps from the beach. There is lots of good fishing/crabbing here if you're into that and I'm told that the park has a decent number of nature programs for the more active camper. The wildlife here is amazing, there are dolphins, loggerhead turtles, and tons of other sea life to check out (or catch and eat). I cannot say enough about how great the beach is but my favorite part is that you can bring your dog on the beach! The campground is located on the north end of the state park has 173 campsites with an additional ten sites designated just for tents. I've heard from other campers that the bugs can be a bit annoying at some of the sites but if you stick to the sites closest to the ocean this won't be a problem at all. Rates are $25 for standard sites and $19 for the tent sites. Hunting Island is a VERY refreshing change from some of the more touristy parts of the Carolina coasts. It really is a unique place to visit, FULL of wildlife and off the normal tourist beaten path. It's definitely the best place I've ever camped on the east coast and among my all time top two (like I said, I'm a little partial to SoCal).

http://www.huntingisland.com/camping.htm