Everyone dreams of having their own private island where you can kick back, throw your cellphone in the water and forget about the world for a while. But if you’re not a billionaire, owning a private island is probably out of the question. So in lieu of that, camping on any number of exquisite islands around the country might just be what you need to satisfy your urge for seclusion. Here are five great places in the US where you can camp on an island.
5 Island Campgrounds
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Cayo Costa, Florida
When you think of island getaways, one of the first places that come to mind is the Florida Keys. Besides Key West, there are lots of other islands to explore in the region including those that offer camping. One island in particular at Cayo Costa State Park offers the kind of beachfront lounging you would imagine in a Caribbean getaway. Only accessible by boat or ferry, the island features primitive tent sites, guest slips for boaters and one-room cabins. With nine miles of beautiful coastline and palm trees, the island offers plenty of opportunities to lounge in a hammock and pass the time observing wildlife. The National Park Service also offers a number of island camping options in the gulf.
Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons
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Lake George, New York
Upstate New York might not be the place you first consider when it comes to an island paradise, but the fact is the Adirondacks have more islands per area than virtually anywhere in the United States. On Lake George, one of the region’s largest bodies of water, there are 395 islands where you can camp that are only accessible by boat. There are many options to choose from, but one in particular named Gem Island might just be the perfect choice. You can also find similar opportunities on other lakes including Saranac Lake further north.
Kentannenbaum | Dreamstime.com - Woman Reading On Vacation By Lake Photo
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Lopez Island, Washington
The San Juan Islands consist of 172 islands on the border with Canada in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. But only four are accessible by ferry. For bicyclists and campers, Lopez Island’s flat terrain offer a great option for exploration. This is the perfect island to ride the ferry from Port Angeles with a bike and gear. There’s a campground not far from the boat landing where you can unload and head off on an adventure. Traversing the island by bike is easy and offers a great adventure for even the novice rider.
Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons
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Santa Cruz Island, California
Off the coast of Santa Barbara lies the chain of Channel Islands. The most popular for backpackers is Santa Cruz Island, which offers several primitive campsites. Here you can take the ferry over or come by private boat landing at Scorpion Bay where you can camp. In the morning, you can enjoy the beach and the wildlife or adventure further to the Del Norte backcountry campsite. The landscape on Santa Cruz Island varies probably more than any other island in California with peaks and valleys and yearlong streams. There are pine forests, grasslands and marshes along with peaks rising more than 2,000 feet.
Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons
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Padre Island, Texas
If you really want to get lost and have the beach to yourself, consider setting up camp at the Padre Island National Seashore in Texas. Here the white sands beach stretches for more than 60 miles. And you can camp on virtually all of it. The National Park Service also operates campgrounds in the region, but most of the area is open to beach camping. Be careful though that the sand is not too soft and you might not have enough traction to get out in the morning. But not to worry, plenty of fellow campers hopefully with all-wheel-drive will probably be around to help.
