You can have some of the best waves in the country right on your doorstep when you hit the road and camp. Knowing where to be at the right time is never easy with surfing, but there are a few places where you can improve your luck. Here are our top 5 surfing camp spots in America where we hope you’ll score some surf!
Plasket Creek Campground
Nestled within Big Sur on California’s central coast, Plasket Creek Campground puts you within easy reach of Sand Dollar Beach, a stunning bay of pristine sand and clear blue water. This campsite is located up on the cliffs, surrounded by towering Monterey Pines, so you’ll have an awesome view when checking the surf in the morning. While the waves aren’t always pumping here, the scenery is always special. If you decide to go off exploring there are a whole bunch of reef setups that you could score, but you’ll have to find them first!
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
While the West Coast generally provides more consistent surf, the Atlantic rollers steaming in to the North Carolina coastline should not be overlooked. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore puts you in the heart of the Outer Banks, where you’ll find some of the best waves on the East Coast. You’ll have a choice of different campgrounds here, but your best bet for scoring some surf is at Cape Point Campground in Buxton. You’ll have a bunch of different spots on your doorstep around the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, making it easier to find some waves that benefit from favourable winds.
Jalama Beach
You’ll be right next to the beach when you setup camp at Jalama Beach, with rolling hills behind you, and a feeling that you’re far, far away from civilisation. In fact you’ll be just three hours drive out of Los Angeles! Still, this is a great place to getaway from it all, with little more than a general store within easy reach. It’s here you’ll be able to enjoy the renown Jalama Burger after a morning session. You’ll find fun beach break waves on your doorstep, and if you venture south along the coastline there are a few quiet reef breaks too.
Long Point Park Campground
Over in Florida, staying at Long Point Park Campground means you’ll be little more than a five minute drive from the Sunshine State’s premier surf spot, Sebastien Inlet. Perhaps not the best choice for a summer camp trip (you could hit a flat spell and the mercury will be soaring), but fall is still pretty warm and much more consistent for surf. Other beach breaks like Vero Beach are nearby too if the crowds get too much at Sebastien Inlet. The waters surrounding this campsite are also epic for fishing, so pack your rod and tackle!
Carpinteria State Beach
With sick waves like the right hand point break Rincon and the hollow beach breaks at Emma Woods, camping at Carpinteria State Beach puts a hell of a lot right outside your tent. You’ll have to be mobile to score the surf, so don’t just settle for the mediocre rollers at the beach out of the front of your campsite. For best results stay here during the winter and give yourself some time for the waves to start pumping.
Still not inspired? Check out The California Surf Project, a chronicle of two guys driving and surfing the length of the Golden State in their 70s VW bus. If this doesn’t get you amped for hitting the road in search of a surf adventure, who knows what will…
Featured image: @steven2236 via Instagram