Beach front camping on East Coast?

Terryallan wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:

PCronin68 wrote:
I was looking for Beach front camping on the east coast. Not state parks but rather nice family campgrounds with amenities. I have done Myrtle Beach (Pirate Land and Ocean Lakes) and recently did OuterBanks (Camp Hatteras). Any idea for my next family vacation? My wife likes the campgrounds that are ocean front. I was also thinking maybe lake fronts as well.

If your interests are primarily the beach and not crowded, consider T H I S, Surf City Family Campground in North Topsail Beach, NC. The reviews are pretty good, indicating it's a basic campground. And what's my connection/knowledge of this place? It's been around for a long time. I remember staying there many years ago and thinking this place was an unspoiled gem. It was at that time, for someone looking for camping right on the beach, with minimal crowds and lots of beach to explore. At that time there wasn't a whole lot in the area, and from the reviews it appears that's not changed over the years.

What in the world is wrong with you. Not supposed to tell everything you know.

To the OP. You do NOT want to go to Surf City CG. It only has miles, and miles of open beach covered with all kinds of shells. No huge condos, or motels, no mega shopping centers, or any thing like that. Just a quiet CG with friendly owners, and a full hook up sites, at a very reasonable price. Do have cable.

It is also the ONLY oceanfront CG between Myrtle, and the OBX. On Top Sail Island so named because Black Beard hid behind it, and all the ships on the ocean could see were the Top sails of his ship. And his ship was sank in the inlet there. You can take a boat ride out to the site. I'm going back.

Just to add some info... its pronounced Top-sul, not Top-sail. It is a gorgeous island. We used to rent a house every summer in North Topsail for a week. Amazing island, very laid back and relatively unpopulated. There is very little commercial property on the island, most of it further south in Surf City. There are grocery stores and beach supply shores just off the island, an easy 5-10 minute drive. Amazing seafood if you like it (I don't) and about 45 minutes to an hour drive to Wilmington NC. One other bonus is that it is very close to Camp Lejeune. You often see the Marine's flying helicopters and Osprey's over the ocean. Its pretty neat to see, in my opinion.

Now I haven't been in 4 years, but from what I remember that campground is pretty small and the spaces are TIGHT. Half the campground is ocean front, the other half is across a 2 lane highway. The highway isn't bad to cross, but if you are on the west side, you might not want your younger kids crossing it by themselves.

Its not a glamorous park, but you do camp on a gorgeous island very close to the beach. If you can't tell, everyone that has ever been there LOVES it and treasures it. I hope to take my kids back there once in a while. If it wasn't such a long drive (6+ hours without a camper), we would still go. As it stands, we can get to Delaware beaches in 2.5 hours...

You might want to check out Assateague Island STATE Park for beach camping too. They have very limited electric hookup sites but are right on the island. I think you have to reserve sites a full year in advance though.

Breezy Point Beach and Campground is on the beach of the Chesapeake Bay. They don't have sewer, but offer Honey Pot services and a decent bathhouse. Again... not very full of amenities but you literally back your camper onto the sand of the beach and can sit behind your camper on the sand and have a bonfire feet from the waves of the bay. Its gorgeous, but not pet friendly.