It’s early morning. You’re in your favorite beach chair, feet in the sand, sipping a cup of coffee, next to your favorite person. There’s a peaceful ambience created by the ocean waves, the birds singing, and the faint sound of dolphins playing in the distance. There you sit, enjoying the beautiful sunrise right next to your home on the go — your RV.
Yes, camping at the beach! For some, it’s not your traditional camping location, and for others, it’s not your traditional beach vacation. But whether you enjoy swimming, fishing, bird-watching, or just relaxing in the sand, the options are endless.
As July and the hotter summer months arrive, some of you are probably thinking about, or have already planned, a visit to the beach. If you have never camped at the beach, it may bring up some concerns that you haven’t thought about before. So, while you’re preparing for your fun in the sun, consider some tips, tricks, and favorites we’d like to share. Read on!
The FMCA Team
| |
|
Roadside Rescue® Trip Planning
| |
FMCA’s Roadside Rescue®, powered by SafeRide RV Motor Club, offers great roadside assistance for your RV and personal vehicles when the unexpected happens. But did you also know they offer trip planning services? That’s right! Upon request, SafeRide will supply current policyholder members with information, maps, trip itineraries, discounted hotel reservations, and discounted car rental services. All they need from you is an advance notice of 10 business days to customize your trip routing experience. Simply call them toll free at (855) 737-0737.
| |
FMCA members can travel with peace of mind knowing FMCA Roadside Rescue® has your RV and passenger vehicles covered in the event of a mechanical breakdown — all at a discounted group rate! Click here to learn more about all the ways FMCA enhances the RV lifestyle.
| |
Many RVers have discovered the joys of camping on the beach. Although it requires some specific planning and a few precautions, the tradeoff — being near the water, helping the kids make sandcastles, watching a dramatic sunset — are the stuff of great memories.
First and foremost, have sun protection: Bring – and use – sunscreen; umbrellas or other shade producers; and sun hats, sunglasses, etc. for your crew. Keep sand out of the RV: Designate towels specifically for beach use; shower off before going inside; and hang any wet, sandy items outside. Pack some handy equipment: For example, a collapsible wagon that is sturdy enough to trundle through the sand with toys and beach chairs, and folds up easily for storage in the RV.
For more beach camping tips, read the FMCAdventure Blog. Or, listen to Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi’s sand, water, sun, and wind beach-camping advice in their podcast on thervatlas.com. Finally, be inspired by one RV mom’s strategies for keeping beach life simple in the July 2021 issue of Family RVing magazine.
| |
| Although news reports continue to note the exponential growth in RV usage, campsites can still be found. Get creative, do your homework, and be flexible. You might find a great place to stay — perhaps one you’ll want to return to again and again. Here are some sources to try:
Allstays touts a repository of more than 37,000 campgrounds, including independent and franchised sites; facilities on public lands; military, county, and city parks; even casinos. Check their website or download the Allstays app ($9.99 for iOS only).
For folks who can do without a laundry list of amenities, Boondockers Welcome makes a nice option. Approximately 3,000 hosts invite guests to disconnect from their RV hookups and connect with nature. But if hookups are a necessity, many do offer electric.
Go RVing partners with Go Camping America to provide a searchable list of campgrounds by state. Select a U.S. state, and up pops a list of campgrounds, as well as landmarks and attractions.
The Harvest Hosts membership program offers stand-alone RV camping at nearly 2,500 farms, wineries, breweries, and other picturesque places. Enjoy nature’s bounty in a peaceful setting and meet some of the nicest proprietors around.
ReserveAmerica offers suggestions on how to reserve a last-minute campsite. For example: In addition to being flexible with campground locations and amenities, check for cancellations. Also consider walk-up sites; arrive early in the morning to check for availability.
And we definitely want to mention the FMCA RV Marketplace, an online directory of FMCA’s commercial members. Hundreds of campgrounds extend discounted rates to FMCA members. Find one in the area where you plan to be, and check for openings.
| |
|
RV Whisper®
Upgrade your RV for pet safety and more! FMCA members have access to special offers on easy-to-install Pet Safety wireless monitoring packages from RV Whisper®. Remotely monitor important information about your RV's temperature, batteries, propane level, shore power, door open/closed status, and more. App is available for both Android and iPhone. Click here to learn more.
| |
| Members save on diesel fuel with the TCS Fuel Card
FMCA offers a money-saving benefit for members. The TCS Fuel Discount Card is a cash-secured credit card offering diesel fuel discounts at nearly 1,100 in-network locations throughout the United States. Learn more.
| |
| Have you ever touched a whale? Now’s your chance!
Travel in the safety of a professionally guided RV caravan to Baja Mexico with fellow FMCA members. This “whale of an adventure” stretches halfway down the Baja Peninsula to Guerrero Negro, where we’ll camp on beaches, explore local communities, relish native foods, and (the highlight of this tour) thrill at the opportunity to pet magnificent gray whales. At Scammon’s Lagoon, a natural nursery, we’ll come eye-to-eye with friendly mother whales and their babies, who actually seek human interaction. To learn more about FMCA member-only tours, call (855) 385-3622 or click here to view the full itinerary.
| |
| Camp With FMCA And Save!
FMCA’s hundreds of commercial-member campgrounds welcome members; many of them offer discounted stays. Visit our RV Marketplace to find one or more that might fit right into your travel plans. Intrigued? Learn more about FMCA benefits here.
| |
| Easy Seat
Looking to put a little rock into your campfire lounging game? Check out the different rocking chair options available from GCI Outdoor. These chairs are comfortable, lightweight, and easy to set up or take down. They are priced from $55-$80. Click here to view available options.
| |
| Tropical Rock
Turn up the volume and let your troubles wash away with FMCA members and “Radio Trop Rock” hosts Eric and Gina Babin. They spend their time traveling the Western Hemisphere to bring you the best music that tropical rock has to offer. Listen online while you’re relaxing on the beach or near the pool at the campground or RV park.
| |
|
Camping On The Coast
When you picture some of the United States’ popular beach destinations, you might imagine a big stretch of hotels, resorts, and high-end luxury lodging lining the shore. Good news: Many great RV parks and campgrounds are also right next to the beach! Check out Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi’s blog post “8 Great Oceanfront Campgrounds on the East Coast” for some popular destination suggestions.
| |
|
Splish Splash!
When it comes to camping with kids, it’s important to have plenty of activities planned to occupy them during the day. When summer is in full swing and the sun is hanging high in the sky, it can seem difficult to find ways to keep them entertained — and cool enough to enjoy themselves. Luckily, most campgrounds will have a water spigot nearby, if not at your campsite. With access to a water supply, the ability to cool down while having fun is made easier than ever! Check out this list from Play Party Plan for 15 of the Best Water Games to Beat the Heat. Most of them can be played at the campground, although you may need to bring a few simple supplies along with you.
| |
Join Today At Our Lowest Price!
Don't forget to hit the great outdoors with an FMCA membership, now available for our lowest price available - 30% off! Click here to join FMCA.
| |
|
|
|
|
