Forum Discussion

Headed_West's avatar
Headed_West
Explorer
Jan 30, 2019

Beach front vacation ideas

The DW and I are trying to plan our fall vacation. We are wanting a beach vacation by the ocean within 2 days drive from Indianapolis. We are considering Hilton Head but the reviews about the island and big trucks ive read do not sound good. Does anyone have other places or spots next to the ocean they can recommend? We are trying to avoid driving all the way to Florida. Mobile Alabama is also up for consideration.
  • DavidandDayle's avatar
    DavidandDayle
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    Hilton Head struck us as a bit on the ritzy side. Beach isn't too bad for walking.

    Mobile is nice. We stayed the other side of the bay.
  • charming's avatar
    charming
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    Love it or hate it, the Grand Strand of SC has some great ocean front RV resorts and State Parks. Unlike Hilton Head, we like our visitors. (I have friends on HHI they understand the rivalry.)
  • Whammon1's avatar
    Whammon1
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    I second the Outer Banks of NC. Fall is a great time of year to visit. Always plenty to do and see. Great places to eat.
  • 1jeep's avatar
    1jeep
    Explorer II
    Jan 31, 2019
    LOVE the outerbanks! we stayed at the KOA over there a few years ago, planning to go back sometime. June we are doing Hilton head, but are planning some day trips on the motorcycle, will avoid driving the truck in towns such as Savanah GA.
    Another place we have been is Ocean City MD, big beach tourist area, no problems with trucks. The only issue we have seen with Myrtle beach is many campgrounds dont allow motorcycles,
  • TheLuvShack's avatar
    TheLuvShack
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    Panhandle is 800 miles from Indy. Easy two day drive. Checkout Camping on the Gulf Destin. Right on beach. Sites are small. Try Top Sail Hill Santa Rosa Beach about 10 miles east of Destin. Sites are spacious. Beach is about 1/4 mile away. Bike or ride shuttle to beach. Get your reservations now! Best of luck.
  • huachuca's avatar
    huachuca
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    I'm from NC so a bit prejudiced but would also suggest our Outer Banks. Lots of options for both private and public campgrounds between Nags Head and Ocracoke.

    If you want a truly unique experience, consider spending a couple of nights at the end of your visit in one of the Park Service cabins on Portsmouth Island (Cape Lookout National Seashore). You can take your F250 over on a private ferry and have twenty miles of uninhabited beach to share with just a few other folks. Be glad to answer any questions if you're interested.

    Park Service Cabins


    Ocean view from cabin deck (island is maybe 1/4 mile wide here)
  • Airdaile's avatar
    Airdaile
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    Maryland/Delaware shore rarely gets mentioned but is closer than the OBX and just as nice. Delaware Shores SP in Bethany Beach, Castaways in Ocean City and Assategue SP or NP are all very nice ocean front places. We did the Chesapeake Bay side for a week at Roaring Point in Nanticoke and it was very relaxing. Water view from all sites.

    HHI is nice but you have to bike/drive to the best beaches. Also, they have some strange sign ordinance that doesn't allow you to see where the stores are from the street. We did a lot of u-turning there.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    Love OBX but love Myrtle Beach more. Nicer beach, lots of other things to do in the area.
  • ken56's avatar
    ken56
    Explorer
    Jan 31, 2019
    huachuca wrote:
    I'm from NC so a bit prejudiced but would also suggest our Outer Banks. Lots of options for both private and public campgrounds between Nags Head and Ocracoke.

    If you want a truly unique experience, consider spending a couple of nights at the end of your visit in one of the Park Service cabins on Portsmouth Island (Cape Lookout National Seashore). You can take your F250 over on a private ferry and have twenty miles of uninhabited beach to share with just a few other folks. Be glad to answer any questions if you're interested.

    Park Service Cabins



    I've stayed in those cabins. Very rustic. Don't look for luxury in those cabins. It was a fantastic fishing trip though and I did enjoy myself there. Great place.

    Ocean view from cabin deck (island is maybe 1/4 mile wide here)

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