Best Campgrounds near Holly Beach, LA
Along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Holly Beach offers a distinctive mix of beachfront camping options, from established RV parks to free dispersed camping directly on the sand. The Pickled Pelican RV Park and Holly Beach RV Park provide full hookup sites with concrete pads near the shoreline, while free beach camping allows vehicles to park directly on the hard-packed sand. Rutherford Beach, located about 20 miles east, offers similar free dispersed camping with more space between sites. For those seeking more amenities, Intracoastal Parish Park Campground in Sulphur provides year-round camping with shower facilities and covered picnic areas, while Sea Rim State Park across the Texas border combines beach access with marshland exploration.
Hurricane vulnerability significantly impacts the Holly Beach area, with limited services available due to past storm damage. As one camper noted, "Ice, bait, and some seafood is available in Holly Beach. No convenience stores or gas stations thanks to hurricanes. Closest grocery store, gas/diesel, and general merchandise is in Hackberry, 20 minutes north." The hard-packed sand on beaches generally supports two-wheel drive vehicles, though tidal changes require careful site selection. Cell service is generally good throughout the area, with Verizon and AT&T providing reliable coverage. Summer brings intense heat and humidity along with mosquitoes, particularly in marshy areas away from the beach where coastal breezes offer some relief.
Beach camping experiences receive consistently positive reviews, with many campers appreciating the solitude and Gulf views. "We were able to camp in our camper van right on the beach, the sand is very hard packed, so we had no trouble even in our two-wheel drive," reported one Rutherford Beach visitor. Fishing opportunities abound throughout the region, with both surf fishing and marsh fishing available. Wildlife viewing includes shorebirds, with excellent birding reported at Sea Rim State Park. The RV parks in Holly Beach feature level concrete pads with full hookups, though they lack amenities like showers or laundry facilities. Campers frequently mention beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the Gulf as highlights of their stay, with the wide beaches offering ample room for privacy even when multiple campers are present.