The sound of the waves outside your RV, the taste of salty air, and a sunset that melts right into the ocean. This is what makes coastal camping the ultimate summer escape—a chance to trade your driveway for a sandy view and make the beach your backyard for a few incredible days.

That dream of waking up to the sound of the ocean? It's absolutely within reach, but the reality is that the coast has a way of testing your gear with its unique blend of sand, salt, and sun. Think of this guide as a conversation with a seasoned pro, packed with the kind of advice that lets you handle the prep work like a champ so you can get right to what matters: the adventure.

Getting Your RV Beach-Ready

Before you even think about putting your toes in the sand, giving your RV a little TLC is the first step toward a successful trip. The coastal elements don’t take a day off, but a prepared RVer is always a step ahead.

Battling Salt and Sand

Salt spray is tough on everything it touches, causing corrosion wherever it lands. That’s why, before you hit the road, it’s important to give your RV a protective shield. A little prep work now saves you from a world of scrubbing—and potential rust—down the road.

• Wash and Wax: This isn't just about showing up with a shiny RV. Start by giving your RV a thorough cleaning, and then treat it to a quality wax. A good coat of Camco’s Pro-Strength Wash & Wax (SKU: 40498) is like giving your RV a suit of armor. It creates a slick barrier that salt crystals can't easily cling to, which makes the post-trip washdown a thousand times easier and more effective.

• Inspect Your Seals: The sun and salt combo can be harsh on rubber and silicone seals, so it's worth taking a few minutes to walk around and give them a thorough inspection. Run your finger along the sealant on windows, doors, and slide-outs, looking for cracks or gaps. If you find a weak spot, now is the time to fix it. For the flat roofline, you'll want a Pro-Tec Roof Self-Leveling Sealant, and for the vertical spots like window frames, the Pro-Tec Non-Sag Sealant w/ WeatherGuard Protection is the right tool for the job. A tiny gap is an open invitation for moisture, and that’s a party you don’t want happening inside your walls.

Tire Preparation

Tire safety starts before you even leave the driveway: always check that they are inflated to the proper pressure. But once you're parked, a new challenge begins. While you're enjoying the beach, the sun is slowly baking one side of your investment. Those UV rays are what cause premature cracking and ruin the tires long before their time. A set of Camco Vinyl Tire Protectors (SKU: 45321) is the easiest and smartest way to block that damage while you're parked. 

Interior Humidity Control

While you're fighting the good fight against the elements outside, a different battle is brewing on the inside: humidity. The coastal air has a damp, sticky feeling that clings to everything. To keep your living space crisp and dry, strategically place a Camco Moisture Absorber Bucket in key areas. It will quietly pull all that extra moisture out of the air, saving your linens (and you) from that clammy feeling and potential mildew growth.

Mastering the Beachfront Campsite

Setting up on a solid, level concrete pad is one thing; setting up on soft sand or a grassy dune is another. Getting this right from the start is the key to a safe and comfortable trip.

The Art of Leveling on Sand

The challenge isn't just getting level; it's staying level. Here’s how you win the battle against the slow sink:

• Compact the Ground: Before you get the blocks out, try to firm up the ground where your tires will sit by driving back and forth over the spot a few times. It sounds simple, but it makes a real difference.

• Spread the Load: Standard leveling blocks will sink in sand—it’s a guarantee. You need a wide, solid footprint. A great pro trick is to put a Camco Stabilizer Jack Pad down first to create a solid base, then stack your FasTen XL Leveling Blocks on top. This distributes the weight and stops the sinking. 

• Stabilize, Don't Lift: Once you are level side-to-side and front-to-back, it's time for the stabilizer jacks. Lower them until they’re snug, but don’t try to lift the frame with them—that's a recipe for a bent frame. For a truly rock-solid feel that won’t wiggle loose after a day, a set of Camco Stack Jacks under the frame provides reliable support that won't wiggle loose.

Creating Your Beach Basecamp

That infuriating thwack-thwack-thwack of an awning in the wind isn't just an annoying sound—it's the sound of your gear taking a beating. Coastal winds are unpredictable and can put your entire awning assembly at risk in seconds. A set of Camco De-Flapper Max (SKU: 42251) straps is invaluable for stopping that violent whipping motion that causes fabric tears.

And then there's sand. The glitter of the outdoors—it gets everywhere. The secret is stopping it before it ever crosses the threshold. The heart of this strategy is a dedicated rinse station you can build right at your campsite. Here’s how:

• Split Your Water Source: Start at the campground spigot with a Camco Brass Y-Valve. Attach a Tastepure Water Filter and Evoflex Drinking Water Hose to one side.

• Create a Rinse Station: On the other side of the Y-valve, connect a short utility hose with a Hose Power Sprayer on the end. Now you have a high-pressure wash station for feet and gear that’s always ready to go.

• Build a Clean Walkway: Lay down a few Camco FastPath Portable Stepping Blocks (SKU: 44530/44534). This gives you a clean path from the rinse station to your RV, so you don't re-sand your feet on the way to the door.

You can see this rinse station setup in action on the @Camco_Outdoors Instagram page!

To take your sand defense to the next level, add these two final touches to your campsite:

• The Final Foot-Wipe: For the last line of defense right at the door, place a Camco Wrap Around Step Rug around your bottom step. It’s designed to catch that last bit of grit before your foot hits the floor inside.

• A Spot for Sandy Towels: Don't let wet, sandy beach towels make their way inside. An easy-to-use Camco RV Towel Hook suctions securely to the side of your RV, giving you the perfect spot to hang towels to dry in the sun, keeping both sand and moisture out of your living space.

Embracing the Coastal Camping Lifestyle

With your RV prepped and your campsite perfected, it’s time to embrace the laid-back rhythm of life by the sea. The true joy of coastal camping is having the ocean as your playground.

Imagine waking up and stepping from your RV directly onto the beach. It’s an experience that’s more accessible than you might think. At these RV-friendly, coastal campgrounds, you can make that dream a reality:

• Padre Island National Seashore, TX: Offers a primitive but breathtaking experience where you can camp right on the sand for miles along the Gulf of Mexico.

• Bahia Honda State Park, FL: Famous for its award-winning beaches and stunning ocean views, with campsites just a short stroll from the water.

• Bolsa Chica State Beach, CA: Provides a classic West Coast experience with paved, beachfront RV sites that put you front and center for spectacular Pacific sunsets.

• Homer Spit Campground, AK: For a different kind of coastal adventure, this campground offers dramatic views of Kachemak Bay, where mountains meet the sea.

From the rocky shores of New England to the dunes of the Great Lakes, there's a beachfront spot waiting for every type of camper. While this is just a small taste of the amazing coastal campgrounds available, they all provide the perfect backdrop for making memories. 

Post-Trip Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment

The coast always leaves your RV with a souvenir: a fine, gritty layer of salt and sand. While the memories are welcome to stay forever, that corrosive grit isn't. A thorough post-trip cleanup isn't just about looking good—it's about actively fighting off the damage that salt and sand are still causing long after the trip is over.

• Top-to-Bottom Wash: Get to washing as soon as you can, starting from the roof down. Using a tool like the Camco Flow-Through Wash Brush with Push-Button Handle makes the job much faster. When you connect a durable, kink-resistant hose to the handle, it provides a continuous flow of fresh water through the soft bristles—which means you’re not just scrubbing, you’re rinsing away the grit as you go.

• The Undercarriage Blast: Here’s where the real battle is won. Salt and sand hide in every nook and cranny underneath your RV. Get a powerful nozzle and spray everything from multiple angles—axles, leaf springs, jacks, plumbing, the works. You have to get that corrosive stuff out.

• Clean the Awning and Seals: Unroll that awning one last time and wash both sides. Let it dry completely to prevent mildew. Then, take a damp cloth and wipe down all your rubber seals. You're wiping away the last remnants of the coast and saving them from cracking.

• The Final Sand Hunt: Sand gets in places you didn't know you had. It’s time for a deep clean with a powerful vacuum. Get the cushions off the dinette, get into the cabinets, and check the storage bays. Get it all, because you’ll be finding it for weeks if you don’t.

Sunsets, Salty Air, and Lasting Memories

The simple truth about coastal camping? The details matter. The prep work before you go and the cleanup when you get back are about more than just protecting your investment—they're about buying yourself peace of mind. It’s the stuff that lets you truly switch off, listen to the waves, and soak in a perfect sunset without a single worry. So get out there and make some memories. You've earned every relaxing moment.

Happy camping!