RE: Tell me about Beach camping......

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I have wanted to camp at the beach forever - my DH insists it is not what he is interested in at all - his arguement is that there is nothing to do but hang out at the beach all day.  I know that there are numerous campgrounds that have beach sites as well as a slew of CG activities that are not always beach related...I would like to hear from those of you who have beach camped -- any recommendatins in the Northeast?  I would also like to know the details of beach camping - is the sand really a pain in the tush to clean?  What are the pro s and cons of beach camping???  I would like to know what I have ahead of me.  When the day comes that I win this disagreement (and I will win) - I d like to be prepared!!![]

[Red neff Barchetta]

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We have only camped at the beach twice.  Once was the most ferocious winds that I have ever camped in (including some high-Sierra back-packing) and it was not much fun.  The only positive that came from that w/e was our strengthened belief that the Coleman was an excellent purchase.  It held up perfectly with no stress what-so-ever to the canvas or lifters.  The wind did have me rattled though and that trip is where I did one of my best SPUT s ever by not lowering the stabilizers and then hopping up on the rear bunk to set the shepherd s poles.  Did a pretty wicked wheelie, lol.
 Our second trip to the beach was terrific.  We used the outside shower and screen room to get everyone free of sand before enetering the PU.  It was not a problem at all.
 As for activities that are non-beach related, well the only reason we go to the beach is to do beach-related stuff, ha.  Relaxing, kite flying, swimming, relaxing, bon fire, searching the tide pools for creatures, relaxing, swimming, body surfing (which is a great way to clear your nasal passages, lol), relaxing, frisbee, and did I mention; relaxing.
 
 Have fun!  I have no doubt you ll win.

[ckkevin]

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We love beach camping.  You have to know that sand will get everywhere but it isn t that big of a deal.  Bring a broom and dustpan and use it often.  We leave our shoes and sandals at the door.  We have two small girls and here are some things that we have found to occupy the time.  
 [ul]
 

• Search for sea shells and sand dollars along the beach
• fly a couple of kits in the evening
• build a sand castle
• search for star fish and crabs in the tide pools
[/ul]
 There always seems to be enough to keep everyone busy.
 

[van castle]

 ckkevin
We enjoy camping at Galveston Island State Park, Texas. Pleasures include falling off to sleep with the sound of the surf, riding bikes on the beach, hunting shells and plenty of great seafood cafes and restaurants. Our favorite times are October through April.

[Papaso]

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Beach camping is wonderful, one of my favorite campgrounds is Long Key SP in Florida. I enjoy fishing right from my campsite especially at night in front of the campfire. Grilling fresh caught fish, getting up in the AM and hopping right in for a swim or going snorkeling, just hanging around in the hammock. If for any reason we get tired there s always something else to do, go for hikes, go into town. Bottom line beach camping is CAMPING and thats what we love, and yeah ya gotta clean up the sand, so what.
 HAPPY CAMPING no matter what kind you do.
 BTW I forgot to mention those sunrises and sunsets.

[byrdr1]

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We have camped at the Myrtle Beach, SC beachs on several different occasions.
 I like to relax so the beach is not that big of deal. I have the pool, the lake, the beach, I am near the hottest visitor s spot in the southeast, short of FLA..
 We have only camped in the OFF season, Easter/Spring Break and Thanksgiving weekends.
 But we are planning to camp one whole week at Myrtle Beach Travel Park CG, May 31-June 7th. So this will be our first week at the beach, but I really don t see a down side to this unless the weather is stormy all week..If so we will spend a lot of time in the malls and other places with hard roofs.. But I am looking forward to this vacation now. We have a mini Spring break vacation April 17-20 at the same CG.
 We also have a mini shop vac for the sand and stuff like that.. Also I have an EZ-UP for extra shelter and tarps to keep the wind(ocean breeze) down..
 Hope this helps!!!
 Randy

[tlhdoc]

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We camp at Assateague Island 2 or 3 times a year.  Some things you need for camping at the beach are a broom and a bucket to wash small hands and feet in (or an outside shower)  Baby powder helps remove sand from bodies, tents, etc.  If the sand is damp it will stick.  The baby powder drys the sand out so it falls right off.  Long tent stakes to hold in the sand.  You may want to use more than one stake and guide line for each spot.  A wind block is nice too.  We have the AAR and can close the side panels.  You can also use towels or plastic tarps to block the wind.
 

[Gone-Camping]

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Hi Beth!
 
 Haven t done that up north, but go beach front camping twice per year down at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. We stay at private campgrounds that have their own pedestrian access to the beach. Like your DH, I m not a beach bum, and when at the beach, usually stay " embedded"  under an unbrella so that I don t go back to the campground more red than a cooked lobster!!!
 
 But the kids love it, and I like to do some surf fishing, so it all works out. I also enjoy driving on the beach, it s a bit of a challenge, but kind of fun too. We do spend time at the campground, or doing sight seeing (though I ve seen all the sights down there over the years). Campground has a pool too, and other activities to keep you busy. Site s have full hook-up s including Cable TV, so it s not possible to get bored, just sun burnt...[8D]

[slowpez]

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Our favorite spots for camping are all in the mountains.  We have gone to the beach over Christmas and early this month when the crowds are all gone.  I have never developed a taste for ocean swimming although I like to hike the beaches and do some shelling.  There are just the two of us and the beaches we have gone to have been secluded enough that wind wasn t a problem and we didn t have a problem with sand either.

[griffsmom]

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We love camping at or near the beach.  My 2 yo loves playing in the surf--the kid has yet to meet water that is too cold for him.  My DH and I enjoy being able to sit still for a short time while our little one amuses himself snacking on sand. [: (] We also enjoy surfing, exploring, collecting shells, building sand castles, digging for sand crabs, and riding our bikes when we camp at the beach.  
 
 I hope your DH gives in and goes to the beach.  Sometimes it s just nice to not have to do anything.  If nothing else, the sunsets and sounds of the surf lulling you to sleep are worth there being " nothing to do."  []
 
 Oops!  Forgot one tip:  When we camp at the beach, we keep a bucket of water and a towel outside the camper door so that before we go into the camper, we dunk our feet, step on the towel to dry them and then go into the camper, vitually sand-free. []

[wiininkwe]

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Weve camped  almost  on the beach at a campground north of Daytone, I think it was Flagler.  I loved it, DH did not.  To me the sounds of the surf at night was wonderful, he said the " crashing, crashing waves"  kept him awake.   So, when we went over to St. George State Park, we took a campsite back a little farther from the beach.    I guess it s all in what you like, LOL,
 T
 []

[SheBantam]

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Beth, we stay on the Delmarva Penninsula. We have been to Tom s Cove on Chincoteague Island, Tall Pines Harbor, and Cherry Stone all in Virginia. This is not exactly beach camping as they are on coves or Bays.  But we have the fishing, swimming pools, and othe amenities depending on campground. We also go to Soloman s Island MD, which is not far from the Chesapeke Bay, on the Patuxtent River.
 
 I find beachy type camping is better for me and Jeffrey as we both have really bad allergies.  If you pick a campground that has a lot to do in a touristy area, then everyone can be happy at some time during the campout. Raymond goes along for the ride...

[Foxyladies]

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Kind of curious....is it dry camping your doing at the beach....is there electricity......sounds like fun....I love the beach. Our beaches up north are coldddddd!!!![][]

[NCSunshine]

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LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!
 
 We go to Myrtle Beach, SC every year for at least a week.  There is so much to do there that you just do what you can and return again to do more.  
 
 If you love golfing, more courses than you can play in one week.  Kids - water parks, amusement rides, Alligator Land, Ripley s Aquarium, Butterfly Pavillion, putt-putt courses galore, malls, outlets, dinner theaters(Dixie Stampede, Mideveal Times, Alabama Theater, etc.) dance clubs, and restaurants everywhere.
 
 This year we thought about going to the mountains, but the girls would not hear of a whole year without going to the beach.[]

[MommaMia]

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Hey Beth!!!!
 
 
 When you find a good place let me know and I ll see what I can do to join you!!!
 
 Now that the snow has melt for both of us, I know both the families are dying to get out there.  
 
 You know.... I know Mike doesn t go for the SP but Rocky Neck is really nice.  No sites directly on the beach but just a short stroll away.  We are definitely going there this summer.  Just let me know.
 
 
 Cindy