Where can I beach-camp on the East Coast in March?

February 24, 2008 12:35 PM

I'd like to get a little sun and sand during my spring break -- minus the party scene. Can anyone suggest a good beach camping spot on the East Coast?

My school break is March 10-16, and I'm kicking around the idea of catching a flight south, renting a car and pitching a tent by the ocean. I did see a previous beach camping post but I'm not really looking for camping tips -- more for suggestions for spots beyond Tortuga and Assateague. Maybe in the Carolinas? I know it's not particularly toasty there this time of year, but I live in Boston. Anything above 30 degrees would be a welcome change.

My ideal spot would be:

1) On the ocean
2) Not a super-developed Disneyland of a campground -- I'm fine with primitive, and equally fine with water/showers. State and national parks are always good
3) Sort of close (2-3 hour drive?) from an airport

Is that asking too much? I'm just itchy to get out of this damned chilly city.

posted by ann_disaster to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)

The NPS campground in Frisco, NC has always been great when I've stayed there!
posted by blaneyphoto at 12:41 PM on February 24, 2008

Lots of campsites on the coast of GA. I remember driving by the one on Jekyll Island as a child and thinking that everyone sure did look like they were having fun. My Mom wasn't the camping type.
posted by pearlybob at 12:46 PM on February 24, 2008

We camped on Little Saint Simon's Island in Georgia once - it was fantastic. It's only accessible by boat, and you have to get permission to spend time there, but it was well worth it. Jekyll Island is fun, but more developed than what it sounds like you want.
posted by gemmy at 1:06 PM on February 24, 2008

I love Hatteras and the outer banks, but it still might not be warm enough in March.
posted by francesca too at 1:32 PM on February 24, 2008

If you like primitive, I took a day trip to Cumberland Island and fell in love with the quiet and isolation. But my S.O. has never camped a day in his life, so we never got around to going back for an overnight. It's not too far from the Jacksonville, FL airport.
posted by saffry at 1:44 PM on February 24, 2008

Unfortunately, I can't help with the camping angle, but I once had to make a trip to Florida during spring break time when I was in college. On the east coast, it was the usual spring break party scene, but on the west coast the weather was great, the water warm, and there was basically nobody there younger than three times my age, so it was pretty much the perfect quiet getaway. Like I said, I can't recommend a specific place to camp, but there were some places where one could camp, that I think would meet your basic requirements and wouldn't be party central. With the affect of the still cold ocean further north, it could be downright miserable camping on the beach that early in March.
posted by dseaton at 2:52 PM on February 24, 2008

I highly recommend Anastasia Island in St. Augustine. My parents dragged me there several times a year as a child (I hate camping) but the foliage is gorgeous, you're on the beach with showers and bathrooms every few sites and it's pretty cheap. You're also in the middle of great restaurants and all sorts of historical sites and fun stuff to do is just about an hour away in any direction. You'd fly into Jax and it's about a 45 min drive south. It's definately not a typical Spring Break destination for the drinkers.
posted by hollygoheavy at 3:50 PM on February 24, 2008

tybee island always seemed nice to me
posted by Salvatorparadise at 4:48 PM on February 24, 2008

I'd fly to Jax (Jacksonville Florida), as many of the above poster's suggest. It's a lot cheaper (usually) than flying to Savannah, GA. And, because of the lay of the land, it will be nearly as far a drive from Savannah.

One could also camp in the Okefenoke swamp, the largest swamp in the northern hemisphere. It's not the ocean but it's very cool. Early spring is a good time to down there too, since the mosquitoes the size of small birds are not in force yet. You can rent boats and stuff... I've had a great time camping there in the past. Here's a map of the area -- looks like about an hour from Jacksonville as well. So you could easily do both on your week (i.e., start on the coast of GA and then move to the swamp, too).
posted by zpousman at 7:34 PM on February 24, 2008

Brilliant suggestions, all -- Thanks! I hadn't thought to fly into Jacksonville but that sounds like the way to go.
posted by ann_disaster at 6:19 AM on February 27, 2008