Would you find van life beach camping amazing or would it be too scary for you? My first initiation to beach camping was last year in southern Texas. From ioverlander I decided to head to a spot on the beach. It was late in the day and was close to getting dark so I parked on what looked like a good spot.
I woke to torrential rain in the middle of the night. After several hours of heavy rain I began to worry. Was I going to be washed away? Or get stuck in wet sand? I decided at 2 am to leave the spot and found a nearby gas station to spend the rest of the night.
The next morning I went back to the location and was impressed by the large, flat, hard compacted sand beach. It looked more like a highway than an ocean beach. Knowing I could park for free in such a beautiful place was the true bonus.
South Texas Beaches
Southern Texas has several state parks and national seashore that offer beach camping. I have visited and camped on Crystal Beach, Bolivar Beach, Galveston Island, Surfside, Freeport, Mustang Island, North and South Padre. All offer a little slice of heaven in my opinion. I have not checked out Matagorda but hopefully will get there this year.
The area offers both free and paid beach camping. The paid camping areas usually have a yearly cost of $10 or $15 USD for a whole year, so very minimal cost even for a few weeks. The free spots are usually a bit more remote without any services or grocery stores nearby.
I found cell reception varied from beach to beach. I do some remote work and use my phone hotspot, so good cell reception is one of vanlife my must haves. Having a cell booster may make my life easier and I am considering purchasing one at some point.
Amazing Benefits to Van Life Beach Camping
Spectatular Scenery
An ocean beach is one of the most scenic places in my opinion. The big sky, big sandy beach, and the big ocean make for fabulous sunrises, sunsets and for taking great photos. I can sit and watch the waves all day long. The beachside is very soothing for me.
The Ocean
So many benefits to having access to the ocean. Some people use sound of waves on their devices to fall asleep, when beach camping you have that sound right outside your van. The tides are interesting to watch and beach combing for awesome shells offers me hours of fun and exploration.
The ocean gives off negative ions which can revitalize cell metabolism and enhance immune function, so being at the beach is making me healthier. I am not a cold water swimmer so have not really taken advantage of being in the water but that is another thing I can add to my “being more adventurous” list.
Big Open Skies
Having big open skies for my solar panels is always a plus. There are no restrictions like in a forested area and even on a cloudy day my battery will be charged. A definite plus for me.
Walking & Biking
The massive beaches offer many hours of walking and even biking with the compacted sand. I definitely get more exercise when I am beach camping than in most any other place I stay. Another health benefit.
Peace & Quiet
In my experience the beaches are so big and long there is lots of space between campers, if there are any others at all. Some beaches are more remote and therefore have less traffic while others are more popular making them somewhat busier. I find there is more than enough space for me to find my peaceful quiet place along with meeting other campers mixed in.
Downsides to Van Life Beach Camping
No Services
If you are a person who needs services beach camping is not for you. There are no hookups for electricity or water. A shower stall can be found in some popular spots. The main service some will offer are strategically placed garbage cans. Some are found only at the entrances, other more popular areas will have them every few hundred feet or so. A place to put my garbage is actually a plus for me.
Some beaches require 4X4 to access
The very remote beaches require a 4X4 vehicle to access them, so I have not been able to explore any of these. Check out the area you plan to beach camp before deciding to make the trip. North Padre Island is one of the more remote spots.
Getting Stuck
Even the most hard compacted sandy beach can have some soft spots and sand is not forgiving. I found this out the hard way. The area looked fine but once I drove in I realized I was in trouble. Thankfully my handy shovel saved the day and I got myself out. Many people have paid big bucks to have a towing company come pull them out. Be careful where you park.
Wind and Storms
This area of Texas can get some big winds and storms making beach camping dangerous at times. Be aware of the time of year and weather patterns when planning your trip.
Bugs, Bugs and more Bugs
Mosquitios, nats and flies have been issues for me when beach camping. If I cannot have my van door open or sit outside without getting bitten I am not a happy camper. It can be the time of year, the area, the weather or just a bad year for bugs but they can make a camping trip miserable. There are many beaches to camp on so I will not stay long if the bugs are bad.
Sand in the Van
Keeping my van clear of sand is a chore. Some beaches have fluffy sand and the wind sends it straight into my van. It gets tracked in when I get in and out of the van.
I have tried mats and towels, but regular cleaning with my hand held vacuum or broom is a “several times a day” chore when beach camping.
The few downsides to beach camping will not keep me from coming back to south Texas. When travelling on a budget finding free places other than truck stops, rest stops, or a remote forested area is not always easy. A fabulous van life beach camping spot is truly a gift to take advantage of.
Hope to meet you on the beach!