On Episode #51 of the podcast–Fall Camping Rocks!–we talked about how our family adores beach camping in September and October. The crowds have thinned, the weather is cooler, and the water is still warm. We love wearing our bathing suits during the day and our hooded sweatshirts at night.
Here are a few favorite spots for beach camping on the East Coast…
Cape Cod
The summer crowds disperse at the end of August and the bike trail, national seashore, kettle ponds, and Provincetown are yours to enjoy. Plan a trip around one of the many fall festivals such as the Scallop Festival in Bourne, Eastham’s Windmill Weekend, or the Cape Cod Brewfest in Falmouth.
Park your RV at Nickerson State Park, Atlantic Oaks Campground, or Cape Cod Campresort and Cabins.
Cape May
This is our family’s favorite New Jersey destination, and we always try to squeeze in a September visit. Early morning bike rides on the boardwalk should be followed by big pancake breakfasts. You can make every dinner a special occasion with all of the amazing culinary options in this town. Peter Shields Inn, 410 Bank Street, and Freda’s Cafe are a few of our long-standing favorites. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride to end your day.
Seashore Campsites is the best place to camp near Cape May, and Holly Shores Camping Resort is a close runner up.
Assateague Island State Park
This island in Maryland is only 10 miles outside of Ocean City but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. Huge dunes, wild horses roaming free, empty beaches, and tons of great crabbing and fishing make this the perfect place to say goodbye to summer. They joke that the state bird is the mosquito, but there are noticeably fewer this time of year. Assateague Crab House is a nearby favorite, or drive into Ocean City and eat at Tequila Mockingbird. The food is good and the name is fabulous.
There is only one loop with hookups in the Assateague Island State Park campground and it sells out FAST. So unless you are good with dry camping, book a site one year in advance of your trip.
The Outer Banks
The ocean can still be in the 70s in September, making this the perfect beach camping spot for surfers and kayakers. Of course, the 70 and 80 degree days are also perfect for those looking to lounge around and do nothing in particular. If you are feeling inspired to explore something other than the beach, walk to the top of the Hatteras Lighthouse, visit the Wright Brothers Memorial, and take a ferry over to Okracoke Island.
Our boys’ number one favorite campground ever is the Cape Hatteras KOA, where they get to run from the beach to the pool to the hot tub and then repeat the whole process over and over again. Ocean Waves Campground is a great option if you are traveling on a tighter budget.
Those are our top picks for fall beach camping on the East Coast. We would love to hear about your favorite spots. Leave a comment below or send us an email, and we will share your recommendation on the podcast!
