When many people think RVs they think of the Rocky Mountains and heading out west. If they think of the coast, they often think of California, the Gulf Coast, or maybe the Florida Keys. While all those places are fantastic trips to take and enjoyable adventures, it’s important not to discredit the Eastern United States, especially the East Coast.
The East Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and while there might not seem to be as much wide open space as there is in the Western United States, there’s still tons of exploring you can do or plenty of spots to sit back and relax. With all that in mind, here are three East Coast destinations that are perfect for an RV trip.
1. Jekyll Island, Georgia
If you’re looking for a truly wonderful spot in the Deep South, then you should hit Jekyll Island in Georgia. This unique island is one of the Golden Isles along the East Coast. It’s accessible easily by RV and offers tons of fun things to do and beautiful things to see.
You can visit the Jekyll Island Museum to learn all there is to know about the island, take your family over to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for a one-of-a-kind experience, visit the Horton House—the remains of an 18th-century tabby house—and then head over to the Summer Waves Waterpark for some fun in the sun. After that, you can visit the beach for a relaxing time in the sand.
Finding a place to park your RV is easy. There’s the Jekyll Island Campground, which is right on the island and comes highly recommended. Space is limited, though so you’ll want to book well in advance. If that campground is full, there are several others on the mainland only a short drive away.
2. Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina
North Carolina’s coast must be on your list of places to visit in the Eastern U.S. When you do, consider spending some time in the Carolina Beach State Park. The park provides some beautiful natural exploration, secluded campsites, and plenty to see and do.
Start by hiking some gorgeous trails and taking in all the unique landscape has to offer. Then you can try your hand fishing along the Cape Fear River or kayaking the waters with your family. If you need a night out on the town or some time on an idyllic beach, you can head over to the town of Carolina Beach, which is only a few minutes away. If you’re looking for a historic experience, drive down to the Fort Fisher Historic State Site to see the remains of a vast Confederate fort.
Camping is easy inside the state park, though full hook-up campsites are scarce. It’s worth it to plan ahead and reserve a space before you come. There are also several other campgrounds within a few minutes drive of the state park that can accommodate RVs. If the park’s full, check out Carolina Beach Family Campground or Winner’s RV Park.
3. Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts
If you’re looking for a real adventure on the East Coast then the Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts is an excellent choice. With more than 40,000 acres of shoreline alone, the national seashore is an absolute must see. It’s perfect for the whole family, too, so get ready to load up the RV and head out.
There are tons of things to do inside the park. You can go hiking, biking, kayaking, hang on the beach or try fishing the beautiful waters. When you get tired of doing that, take a lighthouse tour or try out any of the indoor activities held at the visitor centers. The Salt Pond Visitor Center focuses on the cultural themes represented on Cape Cod, and the Province Lands Visitor Center showcases nature and history of the Province Lands with beautiful and educational exhibits.
Unfortunately, there’s no RV camping on the national seashore owned land, but there’s plenty of options very close by. Maurice’s Campground is a good option extremely close option, or you can check out Dune’s Edge which isn’t much further away. There are also several other options if those two are full. No matter where you decide to stay it’s always smart to reserve a space ahead of time.
Do you have more East Coast destinations you think are a must-see? Leave a comment below!
Myrtle Beach in South Carolina is also a great beach destination that is RV friendly. We love Ocean Lakes campground there where you can camp right next to the ocean.
Assateague state park in Maryland. Camping right over the dunes, drive on beach for off road fun, Plenty of rental options for the water, Ocean city ,Md a half hour up the road- home of the Bay to Beach Half Marathon , two campgrounds inbetween OCMD and Assateague itself.