Camping spots near Holly Beach, Louisiana span across a region impacted by multiple hurricanes, most notably Laura and Delta in 2020. The landscape features a mix of beach and marsh environments with elevations barely above sea level. The hard-packed sand beaches along this stretch of Louisiana coastline provide unusual beach camping opportunities where vehicles can typically drive directly onto the shore without requiring four-wheel drive.
What to do
Kayaking through marshes: Sea Rim State Park Campground offers a unique kayaking experience through coastal marshes. "Great kayaking trail map and recommendations from the rangers on where to go. There is hiking as well. Spend an afternoon or a week here," notes a visitor who appreciated the diverse environment.
Wildlife viewing: The marshes near Holly Beach provide exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. "The nature trail over the marsh was really cool, we saw lots of alligators and birds," shares a Sea Rim State Park Campground visitor who found the experience more memorable than the beach itself.
Surf fishing: Many campers make fishing a central activity during their stay. "Surf casting was a big thing! Lots of people catching fish," reports a camper at Rutherford Beach Dispersed Camping, where fishing directly from camp is common.
Shell collecting: The beaches in this region offer excellent shell hunting. "The beach had lots of shells which was fun," mentions a Rutherford Beach visitor. Another adds, "Lots and lots of huge shells here," making this a popular activity for families.
What campers like
Concrete camping pads: At Pickled Pelican RV Park, campers appreciate the quality of the sites. "The RV spots are all level concrete in excellent condition. There are twelve spots as close to the beach as you can get, with a covered picnic table and grill," explains a visitor who found the infrastructure well-maintained.
Beach proximity: Pickled Pelican RV Park offers exceptionally close beach access. "Hosts very communicative & helpful. $75 did seem a bit high since there are no amenities, but the beach is close, clean, & quiet! Very soft sand compared to Galveston," notes a camper who found value despite the higher price point.
Privacy despite crowds: Even on busy weekends, the beach camping areas provide enough space for privacy. "There were lots of other RVs and vans here when we stayed in early March, but there was plenty of room for everyone to spread out all in a long line along the beach," writes a camper at Rutherford Beach, highlighting the spacious beach setup.
Free camping options: The availability of free beach camping is a major draw. "I don't think I'll ever get over how cool it is to camp directly on the beach, for free," shares an enthusiastic Rutherford Beach camper who stayed in March.
What you should know
Service limitations: Hurricane impacts have reduced available services in the immediate area. "The area was ravaged by the fall hurricanes, so almost no stores, restaurants or gas stations are to be found within 15 miles... so get everything you need before you get here," advises a Holly Beach RV Park visitor.
Sand conditions: The beach texture varies throughout the area. "The sand here is crushed shells, so not so soft for bare feet," notes a Rutherford Beach camper, providing practical information for visitors planning beach activities.
Extreme mosquito issues: Insects can be overwhelming in certain conditions. "Made the grave mistake of opening the van door at night and spent the next TWO DAYS hunting down hundreds of mosquitoes in our van from those two seconds. It was a nightmare," warns a camper at Rutherford Beach.
Water clarity: Gulf waters in this region aren't always clear. "The water looks kind of murky, not dirty, and some locals told us when the wind is just right the water is super muddy," explains a camper describing the swimming conditions at Rutherford Beach.
Tips for camping with families
Water access points: Intracoastal Parish Park Campground offers alternative water recreation for families. "This campground has water and electric at the site and a dump station for all campers. It is very clean and has a bathroom with a nice shower, there is a covered fish station to clean your catch right on the pier and a boat launch," reports a satisfied family camper.
Child-friendly activities: The beach environment provides natural entertainment. "The kids loved fishing right from camp," shares a Rutherford Beach visitor, noting the convenience of not having to travel for recreation.
Facility considerations: Some parks have improved amenities. "New playground equipment and meeting room (rental) but closed due to COVID-19," reports a visitor to Intracoastal Parish Park, indicating the available facilities for families.
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, some parks offer cabins. "We got a cabin (not sure if there is a tent or RV area) and it was really nice: AC, unfurnished kitchen, comfy bunkbeds, screened deck," shares a Sea Rim State Park visitor, noting the need to bring your own kitchen supplies and bedding.
Tips from RVers
Hard-packed sand accessibility: Most beaches in the area have firm sand suitable for RVs. "Our trailer has narrow tires that are hard to pull on most beaches. The sand here packs well and supports our camper," explains an RV owner at Mae's Beach, though they caution you need to be self-contained as there are no hookups.
RV site spacing: At Holly Beach RV Park, layout provides sufficient room for large rigs. "The park is a large concrete slab in the middle of the Holly Beach community. It has 6-8 back-in, full hook-up sites that can fit any big rig," reports an RV camper who stayed during the off-season.
Night access restrictions: Some parks strictly enforce gate closure times. "This is the only park that I've encountered that literally locks their gate at night. The time listed on google or their website is a hard closing time, not just when the ranger goes off duty. There is no way in, no way out until the next morning," warns a would-be camper about Sea Rim State Park.
