East Coast Beach Camping

[chris snell]

Are there any spots on the East Coast where you can camp in a primitive setting? Looking to drive my truck down the beach and camp for a few days. It looks like Cape Hatteras National Seashore allows beach driving but it's unclear if they allow beach camping.

 

[Z.G]

New York does for sure, I have a few friends that take their Defenders out to the beach to camp. If you're hoping for this year, you should definitely contact the parks departments for those areas since most are being shut down

 

[Rwollschlager]

“My truck is too much of a cream puff to drive in the winter”

“yo dawg where them salty beaches at?”

x2 on New York. Not sure on what it’s like to obtain an out of state permit though.
Also check Portsmouth Island in NC. Not sure if it’s open or not, but others on the old board mentioned it.

 

[acheck]

Yes, I have camped on the outer banks (refuse to say "obx"...).

It is probably exactly what you are looking for. Super tiny remote ferry to take over to the barrier islands, then like 30 miles of beach to drive and camp wherever you'd like.

I was last there 3 years ago and i understand that recent hurricane seasons have changed the landscape quite a bit.

Once you're over there, its about as remote as it gets on the east coast. Now through mid May is a good time to go before the summer crowds arrive in bro dozers.

Cape Lookout National Seashore: https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm

 

[chris snell]

Thanks guys. NY seems like it's going to be a stretch. I sealed up my truck pretty good with the new trans tunnel and foam but I'm not sure that's its sealed enough to drive through all dat Rona in NY State.

 

[waveridin1959]

You can camp anywhere above the High Tide line at Core Banks. Miles of pristine beach and very few people. Hatteras National Seashore doesn't allow beach camping.

 

[FlyersFan76]

Haven't done it personally but have heard you can camp at Assateague Island

Assateague Island National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

Assateague Island National Seashore Home Page

www.nps.gov

 

[blueboy]

Assateague Camping Information

Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore. Camping near the wild ponies.

www.assateagueisland.com

Summer is tough due to horse flies.

 

[RDavisinVA]

We are about 50 mikes north of the first bridge leading to the outer banks.
I would check with the national park service.
The rangers use to kick you off the beach, but that may have changed when Trump revamped national park rules.
There are KOA Campgrounds in Rodanthe just after the Oregon Inlet bridge.
Others are run by the National Park Service off the beach in several spots and near the small Ocracoke airport.
The ferry from Hatteris to Ocracoke is free.

Right now with NC in lock-down, there are checkpoints for vehicles that will prevent non-residents from going to the NC outer banks.
This should eventually be lifted around June from what we've heard from some outer banks locals.

 

[waveridin1959]

Assateague Camping Information

Camping at Assateague Island National Seashore. Camping near the wild ponies.

www.assateagueisland.com

Summer is tough due to horse flies.

The GreenHead ones. Those little bastards are the spawn of satan.

 

[uc4me]

The GreenHead ones. Those little bastards are the spawn of satan.

Haha, Greenheads..so true. so brutal.

 

[Z.G]

Haha, Greenheads..so true. so brutal.

HA, don't you know it better than most. My cousin's place on little neck is uninhabitable for a few weeks every year

 

[defenderholty]

Down in GA around the coast you have Cumberland Island and, I believe you can camp on Jacky Island. Cumberland will not allow vehicles other than bicycles. But I would check on weather you can visit anywhere before you set out. I was going to go to St Simons island for my kids spring break and it is a no-go with the virus loose.

 

[The Dro]

Haven't done it personally but have heard you can camp at Assateague Island

Assateague Island National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

Assateague Island National Seashore Home Page

www.nps.gov

Assateague is pretty cool place. We've done the park a few times.

But check now... VA/MD/DC have the Stay at Home orders.

https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-55-Temporary-Stay-at-Home-Order-Due-to-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf

https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/maryland-gov-larry-hogan-s-stay-at-home-order/659d81a4-489d-4daa-8973-a602040c490d/?itid=lk_inline_manual_16

Mayor's Order 2020-054 Stay at Home | PDF

Bowser stay at home order

www.scribd.com

 

[chris snell]

Yeah kind of screwed now. I'm just getting major cabin fever being home with the kids while my wife goes to work. Wanted to go camp alone for a few days but it's probably not happening anytime soon.

 

[galen216]

As an alternate I suggest @Jeff B renthouse in the Outer Banks. It's a very short distance to the beach access in Corolla. You can drive up there and set-up all day or explore the area and wild horses.

 

[acheck]

Yeah kind of screwed now. I'm just getting major cabin fever being home with the kids while my wife goes to work. Wanted to go camp alone for a few days but it's probably not happening anytime soon.

no reason to give up. pick up a map and go drive somewhere. there aren't military check points or anything. i could drive from here to utah right now.

the weather in the northeast going to be in the 60s next week. you can figure it out.

 

[RDavisinVA]

True, but be careful.
It's easier than most people think to get infected and bring COVID-19 home to your family.

 

[waveridin1959]

As an alternate I suggest @Jeff B renthouse in the Outer Banks. It's a very short distance to the beach access in Corolla. You can drive up there and set-up all day or explore the area and wild horses.

You can not access the Outer Banks unless your a local. Dare County is closed down.

 

[RDavisinVA]

Yes that's correct and also stated in post 9.