NorthEast Beaches...help please

[jkrv18]

I am organizing a trip of 5 families, 3 RVs and two travel trailers. The RVs are being rented as myself and the other two husbands are trying to get our wives hooked on RVing so we can move on to buying our own. To make them "hooked" we are looking for summertime '14, northeast beach RVing suggestions. We are leaving out of northern NJ.

On the beach is best...almost required

PS. We are each two adults and two children 5 years and younger.

Thank you!

[CloudDriver]

Since the primary goal of this trip is to make a "good first impression" of RVing to newbees, you should maximize the creature comforts of of RVing by going to a campground with hookups. Summer can be hot, and trying to sleep in a hot RV without electric for A/C might be a turn off that kills the deal. If daily showers will be expected, water and sewer hookups will be needed to avoid overfilling the gray tank. Introducing newbees to navy showers to reduce water use might not be a good first trip idea. I assume that the two families with TT are experienced RVers and can provide help and advice on set up, dumping tanks, etc.

Another thought is don't go too far from home for this first experience. IMO 200-300 miles max, especially with 5yo and younger kids, who will get tired of travel. Long drives just take away from the fun time.

If you decide to head south, my suggestion would be Frontier Town, just south of Ocean City, MD. Lots of trees there for shade and full hookups. Only a few minute drive to the beaches on Assateague.

When we head south, we go down the Garden State Parkway to the south end and take the Cape May-Lewes Ferry to DE, then route 1 south to Ocean City. The ferry is expensive for an RV, but it's a nice ride on a nice day that the wives and kids will enjoy.

[Lantley]

I also suggest choosing a place with at least electric. Water and electric would be better. Delaware Seashore maybe the best closet choice with hook ups A bit tight and crowded but otherwise close to the beach with hook ups. Consider Frontier town in MD Big Timber ion NJ or some of the other close to the beach places. Scusset in MA is also a close to the beach option.
There are limited choices in the northeast for true on the beach camping with hook ups.
If you care to drive a bit Myrtle Beach has lots of great options

[tobydad]

Campgrounds on the beach in Cape Cod, MA are almost non-existent. There are some that are close. I think the closest to a beach is Scusset Beach State Reservation in Sagamore, MA. The campground is located right between the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal and Scusset Beach. There are no full hookups but there is water and electric at most sites. There is a 14 days consecutive limit. You can only get in with a reservation which must be made only with ReserveAmerica at-
1-877-422-6762 or online at www.reserveamerica.com.
Naturally all the campgrounds in Cape Cod are extremely busy in the summer season.
If you plan to travel in Sept., I would suggest Myrtle Beach where you can camp at the beach. We go there every year in Sept. to avoid the huge crowds and high temps.

[markandkim]

Salisbury Beach MA.

[demoon]

Have you ever been to the Outer Banks of NC? There are several campgrounds right over the dunes from the ocean on Hatteras Island. KOA, Hatteras Sands, Ocean Waves and Frisco Woods is on Pamilico Sound.

Searsport Shores is very nice, or at least it was 4-5 years ago. Not surprised that Hampton is booked - it is very small and always crowded. We prefer Salisbury, which is only about 5-6 miles south. Very large, and you have to deal with Reserve America, but you could probably still find a spot, and the ocean is, once again, just over the dunes.

Good luck - New England is great, but so are the Outer Banks. My daughter lives there.

[jkrv18]

Up north is packed already (ex. Hampton booked through Labor Day). I looked for hours. Have never been up to ME or NH was excited. Short season though in ME for warm beach. Thinking this may be a south bound train. It opens up more date range (warmer). New southern point is now Virginia Beach...

Note: Left a message at Searsport Shores Ocean Camping so hoping to hear availability. Opinions on there is welcomed too. Thank you all again btw.

[demoon]

The suggestions regarding Assateage are great, BUT, I would give the new folks a few days getting used to the RVs with at least water and electric hookups. Having said that, there are very few "on the beach" campgrounds in the northeast. There are some that are close on Cape Cod, Salisbury Beach State Park in MA, Hampton Beach State Park in NH. Take a look at RVPark Reviews and check the map of ME for other near or on the ocean.

[jkrv18]

I kept looking back at Assateage even before this thread, it looks incredible. Again though, I am beyond green as someone could ever be, our first RV trip ever, I'm nervous about jumping right into boondocking. Additionally I'm trying to get the other 4 families hooked on it, so also don't want to spook them. This trip is all me from the standpoint I'm basically saying "here's when and where we are going, where you are getting your RV from, this is the cost...". My hope is to make the toughest people have a great time therefore everyone else is good.

[pocono1]

Delaware Seashore is reasonable and about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the beach. Your only a few minutes from Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach for relaxing activities and restaurants. Ocean City MD is only a few minutes further away.

[dcason]

Assateague!

[DaCrema]

+1 for Assateage. Several of us do camp there every year. If it is still open I prefer the state campgrounds. They have hot water in the shower rooms and are very nice. We did a drive by of the Del. beaches and preferrer Assateage.

Them ponies may look cute but are are thieving rascals. Stole a friends birthday cake (carrot cake at that).


Click here for a link to the pictures.

[CloudDriver]

We like Assateage Island National Seashore in MD. No hookups there, but the State Park next door has a loop with electric.

If you go, don't leave food/drinks on the picnic table, as the wild horses like to scavenge.

[weathershak]

esyers wrote:
x2 for Delaware Seashore State Park

Castaways and Frontier Town near Ocean City Maryland also have their own beaches on the bay, but they're a bit pricey in summer. Frontier Town has a water park and Wild West show for the kids.

And a great choice for young kids. Full hookup sites and plenty of activities for the young ones. A 15 to 20 minute ride to ocean beaches and boardwalk, depending on traffic.

Frontier Town


Castaways

[esyers]

x2 for Delaware Seashore State Park

Castaways and Frontier Town near Ocean City Maryland also have their own beaches on the bay, but they're a bit pricey in summer. Frontier Town has a water park and Wild West show for the kids.