Looking for a Beach

[kjyoung24]

We are from NW Pennsylvania looking for a nice beach along the Atlantic Ocean to camp near. Any suggestions? Three kids - ranging in age from 4-8. Want a nice easy drive. We thought about Ocean City, MD, but we are hearing it is a nightmare of a drive in traffic!

[Lantley]

jtbr3 wrote:
We prefer MB or HHI. MB/HHI are both nice since water is warmer than MD/DE/NJ/VA. MB is preferred as walking distance to beach while HHI is little drive. If up for longer drive, Alabama/Texas beaches are really nice too.

That's always the dilemma. I like MB and HHI as well. Cape Cod is fantastic. But trying to balance drive time vs. there time is always a challenge.
If drive time is a non factor than MB is my choice. But if the OP is looking for a fairly easy drive the MD/DE destinations are much closer.

[Padlin]

Is CT too far? the Mystic area has lots to do. Don't know of any waterfront CG's though. Cape Cod is always fun for kids, bay side for no surf.

[jtbr3]

We prefer MB or HHI. MB/HHI are both nice since water is warmer than MD/DE/NJ/VA. MB is preferred as walking distance to beach while HHI is little drive. If up for longer drive, Alabama/Texas beaches are really nice too.

[Lantley]

Assateaque is a fantastic place. But it is difficult to get a site . Especially during peak season. There are only a few sites with electric.If the OP is lucky enough to get a site with electric Assateaque is a decent choice.
However Frontiertowne is about 15 minutes away it is very family friendly with an on site water park.
More importantly water/electric sites are available. Summers in MD are no fun without A/C. If the OP can do without A/C Assateaque maybe choice #1. But if the OP likes A/C like I do Assateaque will be great for a day trip or a beach trip. But Frontier Town will make a much better base camp.
Delaware Seashore Park is a nice alternative. Full hook up sites, walking distance to the beach from your campsite

[Merrykalia]

spoon059 wrote:


Bethany and Rehoboth are great family friendly beaches with boardwalks, plenty of food and shops.

I will second this. We LOVE the area (at least to visit, wouldn't want to live there, can't do without my mountains).

[Veebyes]

I have a beach about 2 minutes walk from my home front door. Can hear the surf anytime simply by stepping outside. I have some of the prettiest beaches in the world less than 10 minutes away.

There is that little problem of getting the camper here.

On the serious side Assateague Nat Seashore is nice. Been there a number of times late summer/early fall staying on the bayside loops. Don't leave anything edible out. The horses will have it.

[RGar974417]

I agree with Assateague. We stayed in the National Park Bayside Campground. They don't have hookups,but 2 of the loops you can use generators.You can walk to the beach.When you get there,get a brochure from the office that tells you about all the ranger programs for the week. They have anything from teaching you how to clam,about the history of the island or about the Assateague ponies.They even do a night time campfire on the beach.The ponies will come right into your campsite so make sure you put your food away or they'll steal it.

[michigansandzil]

We stayed at Assateague Island last August for 5 nights/4 days. It was an amazing experience. Our kids were 12, 10 and 6. I can't recommend it enough.

We booked our site the October beforehand (at exactly the opening date and time. All sites for the entire month were booked within 2 minutes), so it's probably too late for you to get an electrical site for 2016. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a cancellation or maybe you can try for 2017.

I had heard a lot of good things about Frontier Town and Ocean City, apparently people really enjoy both of those areas. We drove into Ocean City one day for dinner and went to the boardwalk. Lots of touristy things to do there, but I'd never want to stay there. It was crowded and overloaded with hotels. We also drove past Frontier Town, Assateague was like an oasis compared to that place. I'm sure the kids would have liked it, but if you get the opportunity, go for Assateague.

[spoon059]

Delaware Seashore National Park. Full hookups, 2 minute walk over the dunes to the beach. Its right on the Indian River Inlet as well. Recently renovated (south side of the inlet) and brand new (north side of the inlet) spots. Clean bathrooms, level sites. Price is pretty good.

Its about 30 minutes north of Ocean City, but about 10 minutes south of Rehoboth Beach DE and Dewey Beach DE and 5 minutes north of Bethany Beach DE.

Bethany and Rehoboth are great family friendly beaches with boardwalks, plenty of food and shops.

[NoVa_RT]

Assateague State Park in Maryland (close to Ocean City) would be my choice. It's just over the dunes from the beach, but it only has one loop with electric so you need to make reservations a year in advance for peak times, or get lucky, if that matters. If you can do without an electric hook-up (generators are allowed except for quiet hours) there are lots of non-electric sites at the State Park. The nearby National Park also has no hook-up sites, but only cold water showers.

First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, VA is also just over the dunes, but a bit longer walk over limited boardwalks. It is barely inside the Chesapeake Bay, but has a wide beach and some waves, and it's an easy drive to the Atlantic Ocean beaches if that is a priority.

[petrel]

Not an easy drive, but we take our RV to Virginia beach a few times each summer. Usually stay at the Holiday Travel Park. Plenty to do in VA beach and the campground is away from the downtown strip traffic.

You could add a few miles, but bypass some of the road madness by cutting across your state and coming down the delmarva peninsula. There are some nice campgrounds there too, but not as many attractions.

[Lantley]

FrontierTowne in OC, MD is perfect for your kids. The drive is decent. Yes there is traffic in the Summer but in general it is not miserable.
There is a water park at the CG that is free to campers. The beach is a 10 minute ride away at Assateaque state park. There are also wild ponies and other things to do at the state park. OC,MD is about a 15-20 minute ride. Boardwalk amusement rides etc.
The CG also provides a shuttle bus to OC, MD and to Assateaque.
The CG is located on the bay. There is a wild west show and zip line park at the CG as well. Great place that is a relatively short drive to home.

[librty02]

We are from the Pittsburgh area and we travel down to Myrtle Beach South Carolina every summer for 2 weeks. We have one child who is 7 now and we have went every year since she was 9 months old. It is a longer drive but camping 50 steps from the ocean is well worth it. In Ocean City there are 2 campgrounds just south of there fort wilderness and Castaways. We personally haven't been to OC with a trailer and would for a long weekend as we thought about it many times just getting reservations last minute for a weekend is tough. The drive to OC would be cake compared to the drive to Myrtle but we love it down south and will continue to go every year we can. If you have any more questions tips or advise I could help with ask away! 🙂

[kjyoung24]

We don't mind driving a few minutes to points of interest, but were just worried about the number of things to do other than the beach. I think we would be tired of the beach after a few day. Any suggestions?