Looking for any insight or info on camping assateague - like which is the better campground, National or State? Or if there's a good private one. Going end of June, with my son before he goes off to college. I'll surf, he wants to fish. Or maybe camping in Long Island?
Camping in Montauk is great, but it'll be a sh!t show out there at the end of June... If you're going mid week it'll be ok, but weekends are so packed for the rest of the Summer
Good luck getting a site at AI. They book up pretty solidly months ahead, sometimes a year in advance, for June. You can also get wait-listed in case someone is a last-minute no-show. Actually happens more than you might imagine. State is glamping, car camping, whatever, still great. Hot showers, toilets, renovated, they did a good job of the work. National more rugged, as it were. Buggier if you nab a spot on the Bay side. If you do get a site, bring bug spray. A lot of it. And swatters. And hard sided coolers. The horses will be through during the nights & will tear open anything not battened down.
I take it you are in NOVA or MD so If you're willing to drive to NY you may as well drive to Buxton NC. Frisco woods campground is great with cabins to avoid the bug problems. The cabins only have beds, no showers or kitchens. The campground is on the sound side so you can fish for reds in the morning and hit the inlet/beach in the afternoons for blues and sometimes cobia. We rented some SUP borts and would paddle out in the sound at dusk and fish. http://www.thefriscowoodscampground.com/. PS: bring a fire pit since they don't allow ground fires.
Damn edit button........I take it you are in NOVA or MD so If you're willing to drive to NY you may as well drive to Buxton NC. Frisco woods campground is great with cabins (if you don't want to drag the Popup) to avoid the bug problems. The cabins only have beds, no showers or kitchens. The campground is on the sound side so you can fish for reds in the morning and hit the inlet/beach in the afternoons for blues and sometimes cobia. We rented some SUP borts and would paddle out in the sound at dusk and fish. http://www.thefriscowoodscampground.com/. PS: bring a fire pit since they don't allow ground fires. Big plus....fishing and the waves are always better in OBX.
I'm doing the same thing starting on July 10th. My youngest son and I. I was looking at a campground on Chincoteague island called Toms Cove. I stayed there back in 2001. It was wrought with Skeeters but I was hammered the whole time since it was flat at TPTSNBN. We staying one night there, one night at KOA VA Beach, and two nights on Hatteras. We are going to hit IRI and OCMD on the way down. Can anyone give the OP any more info on Toms Cove?
If you are ok with not having a private camping trip, this place (Camp Hatteras RV Resort & Campground) is great for what you are looking for (surf and fish).
I stayed at the state campground back in '13. They had 1 spot open on a Friday night for me. NO ALCOHOL allowed in the state campground.....
I stayed at Toms Cove a number of years ago (2007?) - it was the only place that had openings as well... the state and national camps where full. As I remember it was kinda a cool place- on the bay. No frills but not a dump. We camp in a tent, not a camper... so idk about hookups Also stayed at KOA Va beach a number of times- it's really nice... but gets full as well specially with campers I only stayed in Montauk in the off season - so can't really say anything. There was a KOA in wrightsville NC that is nice too, if you want to go that far. There is a place inland from OCMD that is ok- really nice, forget the name but it's the only one around... but far from surf
Only skimmed through the suggestions posted. But i doubt anyone posted this.... NYNJ already told you Montauk would be packed. BUT there are a few other options on LI. One is smiths point. Now i surfed smiths a long long time ago (probably a solid 10 years) and it was all shorebreak. But i have a buddy who has surfed/surfs it more recently. He says it's good. But he likes shorebreak. But he told me it's not like that anymore. I hadn't seen it in over 10 years so i can't comment. But it's an option. Another option is fire island. I used to camp there allot growing up. Your not camping directly on the beach right in front of the surf, but just a short walk away. I had never surfed near the camp grounds. But one of my go to spots is technically on fire island. Depending who you ask. Apparently it's a big debate here. If you look at a map it seems pretty clear to me its technically fire island. Regardless, my spot would be to far away from the campgrounds..... But its close enough and iv heard of enough people surfing there that i feel confident you'd have fun surfing it (assuming there's waves of course). I will say the camp ground is great. It's a super fun place to camp. OBX isn't a bad option either. I never camped there, but it's something iv been dieing to do. Surf wise, i feel it's the best option though. I always have fun surfing down there
I agree- for summer obx will probably be your best bet for waves (other then Belmar , of coarse) But it's hot and a lot bugs if your gonna rent it. There are a lot of smaller camp grounds down there too...
I prefer State for several reasons. First and foremost the bugs are not as bad at the State Park. The National park can be literally insane with mosquitoes. The State has nice bathrooms and hot showers. Imo one of the saviors of your comfort after a hot day is taking a long shower to lower your core temp without shocking it. Take a shower right before bed, dry off and go to sleep. Your skin will absorb a little water and your bedding though damp will feel dry. I also like the State Park because I work there, lol. The National is awesome in October and May.
I always thought state camps where always better taken care of overall... Also - I think they usually have running water- (hot?) while national may or may not...
Frisco nps is really beautiful, on the hills down the trail to the break, usually has waves, and is a 10 minute drive to Buxton lighthouse jetties area, which always has waves. If i was going to camp it would not even be a choice, unless the buxton nps, but that is on hot, flat exposure right down a trail to the break. It can be hot or not hot at all. And those bugs are not 24/7, mostly just at night and sometimes not even then. I am in buxton/frisco every june/july/august and it is beautiful. My wife loves it, and does not even surf, because of the weather and escape from this here awful jersey shore summer. Waves, weather, convenience, it is hatteras in summer for sure. Off season, hanna park mayport poles in n. Fla is a good, consistent break with camping.
Like be careful or use a solo cup - or they police coolers? I got lucky and booked 2 nights at the State park. We're gonna hit Allaire first on the way - so I get to surf Belmar! Fish the inlet and the beach. Just hoping we don't get the ol end of June skunk.
State breaks best & you'll have access to it via your vehicle camping pass. The guards come on at 10am, though, so get on it early. Once the guards are on, you can probably find something near Campground A. Good score on your part. Don't forget the bug spray, flyswatters & the ear plugs (for land wear - - some 'campers' are noisy human virus, and the nighttime AI bush birds can be just as bad as roosters).
