Camping surf trip

There are several campgrounds on Assateage Island. There is a state park with drive up parking, and the national park has both drive up and hike in parking. All campgrounds are easy walks to surf. Remember to bring the industrial strength bug repellent or the skeeters will carry you away.

 

assateague gets a lot of surf, from what i've heard. never been there myself, but have always heard lots of good stories from that neck of the woods.

it's a little farther, but hatteras has several different camp sites w/ easy access to surf.

 

beach and sand bars have changed dramatically, over the last couple of months. still a beautiful spot. even if you dont get surf its a great spot to kick your feet up and have a cold one and watch the world go by.

 

January-February

 

bring lots of sunscreen too, there is not shade at the campsites on Assateague.

 

Assateague is a good spot. I've camped there dozens of times. Better at dropping and rising tide. Rarely at high tide unless its big. Takes any swell direction. National Park has cold showers very rustic but also super quiet. State Park (right next door) has hot showers but alot more people. Better surf at the National area. surf is right over the dunes. Now is a good time for minimal bugs. You also have to be aware of the sand fleas and green headed flys at certain times. Onshore winds will keep away most of the bugs. Off shores can bring em in from the channel. September and October are good for minimal bugs too. I've had groups of horses sleep right next to my tent a number of times. They can be kinda noisy. I mostly surf Chincoteague and you can camp at Maddox camp ground which is right at the refuge entrance. You have to drive a couple of beautiful miles through the refuge to get to the beach. You can walk the beach for hours and see no one. Lots of good surf spots if your up for adventure. Right now there are a few good spots right out front caused by the winter storms. Have fun!

 

the bugs get really bad when the inland water gets warmed up mid to late summer. And, offshore winds bring these bugs out to the beach. I reckon April and May would be a good time to go.

 

yeah,go now bro!! anytime up until about june should be at least tolerable ,or wait till like october & hope you can catch a good time in the storm season to have good swells. the bugs there in high summer is almost undescribable dude.i've seen campers there in summer that look like lepure's they have so many bites

 

bugs!!!

yea definitely hit up assateague soon OR wait till october. the mosquito's are pretty gnarly in the summer, though some good bug spray will make it tolerable...just sucks to have to smell that crap on you the whole time. also, bring some fishing gear and firewood with you, just in case the waves don't come up. also keep in mind that it's a much better longboard spot than shortboard...i could be wrong, but i've been going there for upwards of 15 years and haven't ever seen anything too punchy. have fun!

 

last summer one morning my friend and i drove up to Assateague and it was firing chest high and not the slightest bit mushy. Parked and had to SPRINT to the ocean we were getting bitten so hard by those little no-see-ums.

 

stand corrected!

good to know, can still keep my hopes up to get barreled while the fire from the night before still smoldering haha.

i just think back to the bill swell last year: not "slow" but "cruisey"(?) lefts that just went on FOREVER. longest waves i've ever surfed or even heard of on the east coast. so fun, and really cool people hanging out at the beach. unlike OC, your dog and beers will be just fine!

 

Reviving this thread for some updated advice on camping/surfing from NJ down to NC in early April next spring. Just the wife and I looking for an inexpensive vacay, perfectly happy with small waves and chilling tent side. Any current info for 2014/15 appreciated.

 

Unless you really mean CHILLING tentside, go at least as far south as Cape Hatteras (like Buxton Frisco area). northern OBX still has freezing cold water in early april and probability for cold windy rain that time of year. It seems like the gulf stream likes to come close by and warm up the southern facing banks that time of year.

 

If you don't wanna deal with all the bugs you can always go north to Montaunk NY or Block Island

 

Thx Scotty, are we talking 4/3 boots n gloves water temps? I've only surfed obx in the fall and 3/2 was plenty (early November). Any knowledge of camp grounds near surf?

 

I camped at Hatteras light house after HS graduation in 93. It was cool but not beach front. Probably about a 1/4 mile hike down a trail to the waves. Course this was where the light house was not where it is.

 

FWIW, 30 years for data from the Duck Pier says definitely 4/3 boots gloves temps. every time we've been there in the spring its way warmer down around the corner at Frisco. Like 60's vs. 40s kind of thing.