48 RV Beach Camping Tips

Driving the RV right next to the beach, carving out a spot along the pristine shoreline, dipping your toes in the smooth sand, taking in the fresh air, and splashing in the warm ocean waters is the stuff that RV dreams are made of. In the evening, you get to soak in the radiant beach sunsets, and at night, the symphony of crashing waves lulls you to sleep. What’s not to love about an RV beach excursion? Not much — but you do need to know some RV beach camping tips before you head out.

Thankfully, you don’t have to scour the internet for hours as we have already compiled the best RV beach camping tips. Use our ideas and hacks to organize and execute the perfect RV beach camping vacation.

Tips for Picking an RV Beach Camping Destination

The waterfront spot you choose will determine how successful your trip will be. Use these tips to find the perfect RV camping location.

Check the Local Beach Camping Policy – Not every state, city, or local beach management is open to oceanfront RV camping. Some don’t want RVs parked on the sand itself, others restrict access to the beach to certain times, while some states have imposed a complete ban, especially where it may interfere with wildlife habitat or endanger beachgoers. So do some research and find a place where seafront camping is legal.
Consider Weather Safety – Coastal weather can be unpredictable, and storm season tends to coincide with prime camping weather. When planning your seaside RV trip, check whether there are major weather events forecast for the area.
Look for Free RV Beach Campsites – RV parks that offer oceanfront camping or beach campgrounds often charge a premium. To save money and escape the crowds, look for free dispersed camping spots on the beach. Don’t expect amenities in these situations, like utility hookups, picnic tables or even conveniently located restrooms, however.
Make Reservations Early – Beachfront campgrounds typically fill up fast in peak season, especially if it’s a popular campground. If you want to stay in a place with full hookups, book your spot months in advance. Want to boondock? Check whether you’ll need a permit.

Ideas for Packing for an RV Beach Camping Trip

To have a fulfilling time, you need to bring the right gear. Apart from your usual camping essentials, here’s what to pack for an RV beach excursion.

Multiple Beach Towels – Pack plenty of beach towels if you’re staying multiple days.
Weather Radio – If cell service will be unstable, bring along a weather radio to get up-to-date information.
RV Awning Mat, Step Rugs, and Doormats – To keep the dirt out of your recreational vehicle, bring an awning mat and doormats to knock off the sand from your feet.
Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner – If you’ll be camping at the beach for a week or more, buy a cheap vacuum cleaner to manage the sand that will definitely get into your camper. A small broom and dustpan will also be handy.
Stakes and Tablecloth Clips – The constant beach breeze can blow away your camping gear. Bring sand stakes to peg down any shelters or outdoor carpets and pack clips to secure your tablecloth.
Emergency Kit – Prepare an emergency kit that includes a first aid kit, traction mats, shovel, air pump, tire pressure monitor, tow straps, and flashlight.
Other Essentials – Other important items to carry when RV beach camping include sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, sun hat, swimsuits, beach umbrella, cooler, RV grill, chairs, plastic bucket, lots of water, and a clothesline that attaches to the RV for hanging wet clothes and towels outside.

Tide Safety Tips when Beach Camping in an RV

Nothing can ruin your trip faster than rising water. Don’t forget that ocean tides rise and fall several times a day, and can cause serious damage if they catch you in the wrong place.

To be safe, never park your RV in an area where the tide washes up on the beach, or you’ll find your rig sitting in the water after a while.
Ask the beach authorities or locals how far the high tide line typically extends into land.
Consult ocean tide tables to tell the exact times the tide will be at its highest points and the expected height.
Note that the area where the high tide reaches typically has wet sand, seaweed, sea foam lines, and washed-up debris in the sand.
Choose a spot on the beach that is high and far enough away from the above signs, preferably on the backside of the sand dunes if it’s allowed.
Don’t stray too far from where other RVers are camping.
Keep an eye on the forecast and have a backup plan as certain storms can cause surges, which push the tide up higher than normal.

Tips for Driving an RV on the Sand

Here are some tricks to help you avoid getting your RV stuck on the beach sand.

Scope Out the Site in Advance – Park your rig at the edge of the beach, then survey the spot where you might want to park. Test the softness of the sand and whether your camper can be able to get to your preferred spot without getting stuck. It’s also smart to inquire at campground or beach offices about the current beach conditions.
Observe the Rules – Use designated paths if there are any and obey any posted signs in the area.
Reduce Your Tire Pressure – Before venturing into the sandy beach, deflate the tires by up to 50 percent. This will spread the tread wider, improving traction. Fully inflated tires tend to dig into the sand and create resistance.
Stay Off the Dry Sand – Dry sand behaves like quicksand and driving on it is a sure way to get stuck. Instead, drive on wet sand as it’s firmer and less likely to trap you.
Drive Slow and Steady – To avoid getting trapped, drive slow and steady and don’t make sudden sharp corners. Keep driving until you are ready to park.

What to Do if You Get Stuck Driving an RV in the Sand

Despite your best efforts, you can still get stuck in the sand due to the unpredictable conditions of the beach. Here are tips to get your RV out of the sand.

Don’t Try to Muscle Your Way Out – Don’t slam your foot on the accelerator to get yourself out, as it may cause spinning, which will only dig you deeper into the problem. You could try backing out gently.
Rock Yourself Out – Put your camper in first gear, accelerate gently to move forward and then change to reverse gear and move backward. Doing this a few times will create a rocking motion that will flatten the sand under your tires, which will make it easier to drive off.
Bring Out the Recovery Boards – If rocking doesn’t work, stop and place your traction boards under the drive wheels.
Bring Out Your Shovel – Didn’t bring traction mats? Use your shovel to dig out the sand from around your tires and place an outdoor mat under the drive wheels for traction.
Wet the Sand – If the sand is dry, use your emergency bucket to wet the sand in front of the wheels. This will compact the sand and make it firmer.
Reduce the Rig’s Weight – Remove a few heavy items from the camper and try again. Even a few pounds could make a difference.
Keep Going – Once you’re unstuck, don’t stop until you reach your parking spot.
If all Options Fail, Ask for Help – If all the above solutions aren’t working, don’t try too hard, or you’ll dig too deep, which will make rescue more difficult. Ask someone with a powerful vehicle to pull you out using your tow strap, or call a local towing company.

Hacks for Keeping Your RV Clean When Beach Camping

You definitely don’t want everything in your RV to be caked in sand. Use these ideas to keep your camper interior free of sand.

Use the Outdoor Shower – Use the outdoor shower or a hose to rinse off much of the sand before heading indoors to have a bath.
Utilize Outdoor and Indoor Mats – Have several mats outside the RV, on the steps, and inside of the door to shake off as much sand as possible.
Place a Bucket by the Door – Have a bucket of water by the door to rinse your feet before coming inside.
Maintain a No-Shoes Policy – Don’t allow shoes inside the RV.
Sweep Your RV Daily – To keep the sand from accumulating, sweep and vacuum the RV daily. Also, shake off sand from any gear before bringing it inside.
Protect Your Indoor Furniture – Protect your sofas with removable covers or sheets that can be shaken out and washed.
Let Your Doors Face Away from the Wind – Windy conditions are inevitable at the beach. Check the wind direction, then park in a way that ensures your RV doors are facing away from the gust. This will prevent sand from blowing into the interior.
Park on a Concrete Pad – If you really want to avoid the sand menace, pick a campground with paved sites or concrete pads.
Wash Your Camper – To prevent rust, wash your RV thoroughly with fresh water when you’re done camping. Pay particular attention to the undercarriage. This will also reduce the risk of sand accumulation on sensitive automobile parts.

Other Essential Tips for Beach Camping in an RV

Never leave your RV awning extended or umbrellas unattended if you aren’t relaxing under them, as they may get damaged or blown away.
Secure or bring in all belongings overnight.
Place plywood underneath your leveling jacks and tires to prevent your rig from sinking in the sand.
Observe campfire rules, and if fires are allowed, use existing rings and extinguish the flame before you go to bed.
Keep your eye on the weather and have an emergency plan in the event of a severe weather situation.
Clean up after your dog and keep it on a leash.
Respect wildlife and other campers.
Pack out trash and leave no trace.

Use Our Tips to Make RV Beach Camping a Breeze

There are some beautiful beaches in the United States, and camping on the beach with your motorhome or travel trailer is an amazing way to unwind and relax. But the oceanside is an unpredictable place, so proper planning is necessary. Our above tips for an RV camping experience on the shorefront will help you find the right spot, stay safe, deal with sand, and have a memorable trip.

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Cynthia Measom

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Cynthia Measom is the founder and main content creator of RV Top Tips. Not just a writer, she’s a dedicated RV owner and enthusiast, alongside her husband, Joe, who is an experienced RV tech. With their joint knowledge, the two are up on the latest trends and technologies in the RV industry, as well as practical camping and lifestyle tips.

The couple own a 2020 Coachmen Chaparral fifth-wheel that they absolutely love. Their secret to being so satisfied? They purchased the model after a solid year of researching different fifth-wheel campers in person and online to find the perfect fit for their family of three.