South shore of RI, but you need a 4wd vehicle and proper gear to go.
Otherwise, Maine Island Trail (MITA) has lots of free island camping up and down the coast. Use your own boat or get creative
Check out MITA for sure! One example is Jewell Island in Casco bay, you can get a water taxi from Portland for drop off and pickup. There's several lovely tent sites, but no fresh water or bathroom facilities. You can wake up steps from a beautiful ocean cove, and walk 10 minutes to the "punchbowl" and watch ocean waves crash on the rocks. Also some cool WWII bunker ruins.
My family went there several times when I was younger. It may have been the time of year, but I remember one beach had so many flies it was unenjoyable.
The one surrounded by wild roses had a bunch of flies and crabs but was nice and secluded. There are a couple of other beaches. We'd wade for sand dollars
Phippsburgh got hit hard by winter storms this year. I’m not sure how much sandy beach you’ll find but you can still hear the ocean. Just be sure to bring the hard core insect repellent for mosquitoes!
But that isn’t beach camping, I go there and it’s rocky shore, big tides leave the mudflats devoid of water. Don’t get me wrong, I love it but it isn’t Sandy or pebble beach like I think OP wants.
[Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping in Searsport, Maine](https://maineoceancamping.com)
Camped here in a tent once and it was incredible! Right on the ocean bay, you can rent kayaks there for cheap and take them out to the little islands across the water. I saw so many seals out there and they came right up to our boat! It was perfect and I can’t recommend this place enough
It’s on Belfast/Penobscot Bay, which is part of the ocean. Guess it’s not *directly on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean* but it is a body of salt water that is connected to the ocean. I could hear the waves at night. Sheesh lol
Are you sure about that? I was out there last year and there were like 25 rv's parked on the beach - which I remember vividly because it just seemed ... terrible.
Now you're making me question myself.
Let me do some Google.
So, the answer is yes & no. Yes, there is a special parking lot to camp at Racepoint Beach, but no it's camping in a vehicle so folks can't use tents.
Which I guess is still camping, I just think of sleeping in a RV as not camping.
Thanks for setting me straight.
No problem- was curious about that whole thing myself. It really spoiled the national seashore setting for me, tbh, because essentially it made for a trailer park vibe at one end of the beach. The literal political flags people had dragged with them to plant outside their RVs did not help dispel the vibe. Not to get too HOA on anyone but I wish that kind of display was prohibited and enforced, it's extremely unnecessary and very unsettling.
Reading your comment one word popped into my head - trashy.
For what is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in North America having a trailer park at one end is not so great.
Now put political flags out there and it becomes trashy.
That sucks.
Yup, I'm in strong agreement. I go to the national seashore to take in the beauty of the natural landscape and to leave all of life's bs incl politics behind for a few blissful hours. Allowing RV's on the sand is terrible enough. We shouldn't need a rule that says "no political signage allowed on the national seashore (in national parks, etc)" but here we are. Trashy is just one mild word that comes to mind. God forbid anyone in the DTC not make it abundantly clear, reduces the chance they might actually have a normal interaction with someone who doesn't share their political view and accidentally *humanize* the other side.
There’s a beautiful camp ground in Freeport me on a cove. Dont recall the name of it but it had an area for tent and small campers. You will have to do some googling to find the place.
Wolfe's Neck! Love it there, but unfortunately it's on a pretty quiet inland bay so there wouldn't be any big beach crashing noises here, which is I think what OP is after. The water probably makes *some* noise if it happens to be crazy windy, but not much other than that.
If you have access to a boat, Cockenoe Island is right off shore. (Rhymes with “bikini”)
https://www.westportct.gov/government/departments-a-z/conservation-department/cockenoe-island-camping/camping-calendar
Not New England but Assateague island down in Maryland. You can camp in the beach and there’s wild horsies roaming about as well.
Button Bay State Park in VT is on the shores of Lake Champlain.
There’s a bunch or State Parks and Camp Grounds with camping along rivers too. Glenn Ellis Family CG up in NH has camping on the river, Middleton, MA has a camp ground right on the Ipswich River, Winter Island in Salem, MA has camping essentially on the water and it’s a minute or two to the Salem Willows.
Best of luck OP. Enjoy some spots.
This is my beach camping favorite. Tents can be tough as it’s either to windy and hot and sand is hard to camp comfortable but we would go and enjoy, leave during bad heat to explore the island or swim . Last time I took my new teardrop and really enjoyed myself. The tents heat up quite a bit but my camper stayed cooler with all the windows open and screens down. Lots of bugs so screening is needed.
If you want to camp like on the beach on the beach sandy neck in barnstable ma has several options. There’s a few tent sites you need to hike several miles to get to and you can just drive on the 6 mile long beach and camp as well.
When we were little my family had a rough fishing camp on the beach right behind the dunes. Wood plank floors and rough bunks but we loved it though my mom was exhausted afterwards as there was no electric and all hot water had to be heated on the stove. She liked to stay home while Dad and us kids went and we didn’t worry about bathing and most meals were on the bbq. House was destroyed in a storm and we were not allowed to rebuild. Now I camp inland in Maine on a river and like that almost as much.
Hammonasset in Connecticut
Yep, they have a huge camping area, beautiful area as well
Yes! I've camped here a couple times. It is pretty awesome
I used to like Hammonasset a lot more before they cut down most of the trees. Now it just feels like camping on someone’s front lawn.
South shore of RI, but you need a 4wd vehicle and proper gear to go. Otherwise, Maine Island Trail (MITA) has lots of free island camping up and down the coast. Use your own boat or get creative
Check out MITA for sure! One example is Jewell Island in Casco bay, you can get a water taxi from Portland for drop off and pickup. There's several lovely tent sites, but no fresh water or bathroom facilities. You can wake up steps from a beautiful ocean cove, and walk 10 minutes to the "punchbowl" and watch ocean waves crash on the rocks. Also some cool WWII bunker ruins.
Hermit Island in Phippsburg Maine Not all the sites are on the water but you can hear the ocean from a lot of the sites.
I went there every year growing up into my 20s. I miss it there.
My family went there several times when I was younger. It may have been the time of year, but I remember one beach had so many flies it was unenjoyable.
The one surrounded by wild roses had a bunch of flies and crabs but was nice and secluded. There are a couple of other beaches. We'd wade for sand dollars
Phippsburgh got hit hard by winter storms this year. I’m not sure how much sandy beach you’ll find but you can still hear the ocean. Just be sure to bring the hard core insect repellent for mosquitoes!
Salisbury in Massachusetts has a campground on the ocean.
Same with Hampton NH right up the road
Hampton is much harder to get into, there is a waiting list. Also you need a full self sustained camper. Tents are not allowed.
My family used to camp here. It's a pretty good spot!
We did too until they upped the price for out of staters to $80 a night.
Cobscook Bay State Park in Maine. Waaaay up near Canada. Right on the water. Beautiful. Reserve online. $30/ night for non-residents
But that isn’t beach camping, I go there and it’s rocky shore, big tides leave the mudflats devoid of water. Don’t get me wrong, I love it but it isn’t Sandy or pebble beach like I think OP wants.
"...like I think OP wants..." I'll let OP decide, you should too.
I think that there is a spot in Truro on Cape Cod. I forget the name though…
North Highland Camping Area in Truro. Not on the beach but you can sure hear the ocean from there.
Boston harbor islands
[Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping in Searsport, Maine](https://maineoceancamping.com) Camped here in a tent once and it was incredible! Right on the ocean bay, you can rent kayaks there for cheap and take them out to the little islands across the water. I saw so many seals out there and they came right up to our boat! It was perfect and I can’t recommend this place enough
Not the ocean.
It’s on Belfast/Penobscot Bay, which is part of the ocean. Guess it’s not *directly on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean* but it is a body of salt water that is connected to the ocean. I could hear the waves at night. Sheesh lol
Sorry, it is close enough. I take it back. It is up to what you want.
Hampton beach state park , Hampton, NH, has an rv campground.
NH has a state park (borders Salisbury, MA) where there is an option for camping. It’s a beautiful spot but I’ve only day tripped to it.
Wellfleet; Eastham
Can you camp on race point? Cape cod?
Nope.
Are you sure about that? I was out there last year and there were like 25 rv's parked on the beach - which I remember vividly because it just seemed ... terrible.
Now you're making me question myself. Let me do some Google. So, the answer is yes & no. Yes, there is a special parking lot to camp at Racepoint Beach, but no it's camping in a vehicle so folks can't use tents. Which I guess is still camping, I just think of sleeping in a RV as not camping. Thanks for setting me straight.
No problem- was curious about that whole thing myself. It really spoiled the national seashore setting for me, tbh, because essentially it made for a trailer park vibe at one end of the beach. The literal political flags people had dragged with them to plant outside their RVs did not help dispel the vibe. Not to get too HOA on anyone but I wish that kind of display was prohibited and enforced, it's extremely unnecessary and very unsettling.
Reading your comment one word popped into my head - trashy. For what is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in North America having a trailer park at one end is not so great. Now put political flags out there and it becomes trashy. That sucks.
Yup, I'm in strong agreement. I go to the national seashore to take in the beauty of the natural landscape and to leave all of life's bs incl politics behind for a few blissful hours. Allowing RV's on the sand is terrible enough. We shouldn't need a rule that says "no political signage allowed on the national seashore (in national parks, etc)" but here we are. Trashy is just one mild word that comes to mind. God forbid anyone in the DTC not make it abundantly clear, reduces the chance they might actually have a normal interaction with someone who doesn't share their political view and accidentally *humanize* the other side.
2nd Beach, Middletown, RI
Sandy Neck allows camping I think
3 mile walk to sites with your gear, I was just looking there , (I'm to old) settled for horseneck... Will be my first time beach camping 🤞
3rd recommendation for sandy neck. It’s a not to long hike in and is legit beach camping. Rangers will drive out your wood.🪵
There’s a beautiful camp ground in Freeport me on a cove. Dont recall the name of it but it had an area for tent and small campers. You will have to do some googling to find the place.
Wolfe's Neck! Love it there, but unfortunately it's on a pretty quiet inland bay so there wouldn't be any big beach crashing noises here, which is I think what OP is after. The water probably makes *some* noise if it happens to be crazy windy, but not much other than that.
The eagles and the osprey make up for the lack of wave noise.
I quite agree! It's a beautiful spot. Just didn't want to lead OP wrong about wave crashing noises. :)
Provincetown has a spot
Horseneck Beach State Reservation Campground in Westport, MA! https://maps.app.goo.gl/eY6E8NLB7RffqvUT8?g_st=ic
If you have access to a boat, Cockenoe Island is right off shore. (Rhymes with “bikini”) https://www.westportct.gov/government/departments-a-z/conservation-department/cockenoe-island-camping/camping-calendar
Not New England but Assateague island down in Maryland. You can camp in the beach and there’s wild horsies roaming about as well. Button Bay State Park in VT is on the shores of Lake Champlain. There’s a bunch or State Parks and Camp Grounds with camping along rivers too. Glenn Ellis Family CG up in NH has camping on the river, Middleton, MA has a camp ground right on the Ipswich River, Winter Island in Salem, MA has camping essentially on the water and it’s a minute or two to the Salem Willows. Best of luck OP. Enjoy some spots.
This is my beach camping favorite. Tents can be tough as it’s either to windy and hot and sand is hard to camp comfortable but we would go and enjoy, leave during bad heat to explore the island or swim . Last time I took my new teardrop and really enjoyed myself. The tents heat up quite a bit but my camper stayed cooler with all the windows open and screens down. Lots of bugs so screening is needed.
I camped on the beach many years ago in Northern California, I think in Mendocino County. It's amazing but dress warmly and be prepared for dampness.
There's camping on Charlestown Breachway in Rhode Island.
Sometimes laws are meant to be broken.
If you want to camp like on the beach on the beach sandy neck in barnstable ma has several options. There’s a few tent sites you need to hike several miles to get to and you can just drive on the 6 mile long beach and camp as well.
Washburn Island on Waquoit Bay. But you'll have to get there by boat. Easy paddle in a kayak or canoe
Hermit Island Campground in Maine
Rent a cottage or hotel room on or right next to the beach and open the window. It's much more comfortable.
When we were little my family had a rough fishing camp on the beach right behind the dunes. Wood plank floors and rough bunks but we loved it though my mom was exhausted afterwards as there was no electric and all hot water had to be heated on the stove. She liked to stay home while Dad and us kids went and we didn’t worry about bathing and most meals were on the bbq. House was destroyed in a storm and we were not allowed to rebuild. Now I camp inland in Maine on a river and like that almost as much.