We love boondocking on the beach as part of our RVLife, and RVing on the beach in Baja is no exception.
There’s amazing food, interesting culture, and plenty of beaches where you can RV for free (or very cheap). While there are RV parks on the beaches of the US (Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach, the outer banks, and many other locations along the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean), in Baja, there are plenty of free and low-cost options, so Baja is where we find opportunities to camp on the beach the most.
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Beach campgrounds in Canada and the US usually come at a premium since they have RV sites right on the water. Beach camping in Baja is often public land where anyone can pull into a stay. Vendors often come by selling fruit, pastries, or tamales, so it does help to learn a little bit of Spanish to RV in Baja.
To be clear, beach camping is not just about being on the beach. Saving money on campgrounds means more room in the budget for experiences and extras, but if we get to choose, being on the beach isn’t a bad choice to RV for free.
Playa El Requeson allows you to camp on the beach on a pennisula with water on both sides
Dry camping on the beach in Baja for free (or very cheap – around $10/night) is an amazing experience. If you haven’t tried it before, we’ve put together some of our best tips for making the most of our beach time as a family.
Boondocking on the beach is different from Beach Campgrounds & RV Parks
There are two stages of preparing your RV for beach camping. The first is to prepare your actual RV and stock up with some suggested tools that may come in handy. The second stage is how you prepare at the campground the day before you leave for the beach, and we’ll cover that further down.
At a full-hookup site at a campground, you’ll have electricity, water, and sewer, so you’ll want to account for these when you’re boondocking (or dry camping or wild camping) on the beach.
Electricity in your RV on the Beach
We added solar onto our RV, allowing us to charge devices, power our Starlink, run our propane fridge, and use lights and fans while not connected to electricity.
Our solar isn’t sufficient to run our air conditioning, so as you might imagine (or you already know if your RV has solar), having solar panels on your RV is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
There’s also much more to the system than having panels (like batteries and control systems to control the charge and convert the power from DC to AC). We knew nothing about solar when we started the process of outfitting our RV, so if that’s something you’d like to dig into, check out this blog post: A Novice’s Guide to RV Solar.
If your RV already has batteries onboard, your vehicle may act as a generator as you drive and charge those batteries, or you may carry an external generator to recharge your batteries as an alternative to solar panels.
Whatever your solution, account for the fact that you’ll need to have some electrical power available for lights, your water pump, and your fridge (yes, even if your fridge is propane, it uses electricity to run the motor) and planning to run your generator around the clock is going to get costly and not enjoyable for you and others on the beach.
Camping on the beach in Baja at Playa La Salinita, Loreto
Conserving electricity while RVing on the beach
We camp off-grid enough that our boys have learned to be particular with how we use lights and to watch our power usage throughout the day. It’s funny that even when we’re fully connected at a campground or a friend’s house, our boys still remind each other about lights and not using too much water in our travel trailer.
To conserve electricity, we use solar lights outside at night, keep our curtains open so we don’t have to use lights during the day, and plan meals that we can cook with our propane stove rather than using a microwave or instant pot.
We installed a low-voltage fan in our kitchen instead of our skylight, which is almost always turned on low to keep air flowing on warm days and pull moisture or odors out while cooking.
When we have plenty of solar coming in and are batteries are full (or pretty close) that’s when we choose to run the instant pot, put on a movie, or turn on our inverter and top up all of our rechargeable devices.
Consider what you’ll want to do while RVing and consider how that will affect your RV’s security
If you’ll be spending time away from your RV (swimming, paddleboarding as a family, going on hikes, or walking the beach) then you’ll want to be sure your RV is secure.
While we haven’t had any issues with someone trying to tow away our trailer (and also haven’t heard of that happening), leaving your RV with open ground-level windows or insecure locks is a bad idea.
We have a keypad lock for our RV. This makes it easy to hit lock as we leave and removes any inconvenience of having or finding the keys when we need to get back in. Also, the lock itself looks more substantial than a factory lock (although we’re not sure it’s any more secure) but maybe the appearance helps with deterance.
If you’ll be in or near your RV all of the time, or only a few people in your family will likely be away from the RV at a time, then security while unattended is less of a concern.
There’s always plenty of room for RVing on the beach in Santispac
Prepping the outside of our RV for sandy beach camping
Because we love the beach, our goal is to be as comfortable as possible so we can stay as long as possible. The last two beach trips we made in Baja were each more than a week – one outside of Loreto, and one at Tecolote Beach near La Paz.
Best Accessories for Beach Camping:
Here’s our list of what we pack in our RV for spending time on the beach with easy Amazon links for you:
- Outdoor Rug – helps keep dirt from coming into the RV and gives us an outdoor space for sitting out or eating dinner where we don’t have to put on shoes or sandals.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.11/09/2024 10:14 pm GMT - Foot bucket – washing your feet before coming into the RV
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 07:34 pm GMT - Welcome mat – for drying off your feet and for another hope at reminding our kids to wipe the sand off their feet
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 07:38 pm GMT - Old towel or rag – again, for drying feet and leaving the sandy beach outside.
- Portable vacuum – for (you guessed it) cleaning up sand
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.11/25/2024 05:56 pm GMT - Folding Chairs – you may already have some in your RV, but as a reminder, there won’t be picnic tables to it outside for dinner on most free-access beaches.
- Folding table – same as above. This allows us to play a board game while camping on the beach, eat dinner, or sort shells we’ve collected.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 07:41 pm GMT - Outdoor lights – your RV may have fund outdoor lights built in, but if not, you may consider packing something to enjoy the sound of the waves outside into the evening
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.11/25/2024 07:17 pm GMT - Spare jugs of water – yes, you’ll have water in your tank, and as careful as we are, running out of water always seems to sneak up on us, so having 2 or 3 5-gallon water jugs filled up from the campground the night before we head to the beach is a helpful (and often necessary) backup.
- Flashlights – for an evening walk on the beach or just walking out to the car to grab the coffee mug you forgot in the cupholder
- 3M hooks for the outside of your RV for hanging wet swimsuits and towels
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 07:43 pm GMT - Paper plates to save on dish water
- Bin for standing in while using your RV’s outdoor shower – reuse that water for washing feet at the door later (or rinsing sea shells)
Bonus Accessories: Not necessary, but make RVing on the beach more comfortable
- Hammock Stand – enjoy your hammock even if there aren’t trees to hang it.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 08:17 pm GMT - Beach Shade or Tent – Shade for enjoying the beach or creating extra shade if it’s too windy for your RV awning to be out (or if you’d like to be closer to the water).
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 08:19 pm GMT - Inflatable kayak or paddleboard – Explore the beach you’re visiting with a paddleboard or kayak that can also deflate to be compact for storage. We keep ours in the back of our truck when not inflated. If you probably won’t use yours very often, you may be able to find kayak rentals here and there to avoid bringing equipment with you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.11/11/2024 05:06 pm GMT - Lightweight towels – Turkish towels are trendy right now and helpful to give the illusion of getting dry while just moving water from one part of your skin to another (Editor’s note: Adam doesn’t enjoy these and uses a regular towel. Celine loves hers). Lightweight towels dry quickly (Adam thinks that’s because they absorb no water).
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 08:27 pm GMT - Waterproof Bluetooth speaker – we love sitting out at night, and whether we’re enjoying some background music with dinner or a dance party, having a portable speaker on hand is great. Of course, there are always moments when we just sit and enjoy the sound of the waves, and we’re considerate of how our volume will affect people who are staying nearby.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.12/20/2024 08:30 pm GMT - LevelMatePro – making sure your RV is level will help your propane fridge run properly and you’re level when sleeping and inside your RV. It will also keep your water tank level so your pump hose can reach to the bottom of your tank rather than sitting in an air gap with water running to lower sections of your tank away from the hose if not level.
WE USE THIS OURSELVES!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.11/09/2024 08:44 pm GMT
Bring some lighting for dark beach evenings when camping on the beach
Getting ready before leaving to go Beach Camping:
We usually bounce between beach camping and then a night or two in a campground. The campground allows us to take long showers, dump our waste tanks, fill up our fresh tanks, and top up our batteries with electricity (if we’ve been using more than our solar panels are able to replenish a few days in a row).
Since most campgrounds are in or near a city, it’s also an opportunity to fill propane tanks and stock up on groceries. We’ve been to some beaches that are a few minutes away from town and others that are almost an hour out of town, so we plan to stock up accordingly.
Here’s how to prepare the night before a beach camping trip with your RV:
- Top up your freshwater tank
- Fill your extra water jugs and top up your brita and ice cube trays with water (use every drop of what the campground provides so your fresh tank can last as long as possible on the beach)
- Do all of the dishes
- Empty your dump tanks
- Plan your meals and stock up your groceries
- Top up your propane
- Fill your vehicle with gas before leaving town
- Check your tire pressure
- Charge all your devices – cell phones, laptops, extra chargers, etc.- to reduce the load on your solar and batteries for a few days.
- Everyone in the family takes hot showers.
Additionally, we’ll often do some meal prep the night before when we’re plugged into electricity:
- If you have something you want to bake that could heat up the RV, then cook it while you can run air conditioning before you leave the campground if the weather is going to be hot (or save it for if the evenings are going to be cool).
- Prep an instant pot of rice to take with you while you’re plugged in.
- Grind coffee for a few days.
- Run the mixer or shredder or whatever you might need in the next few days for meals that could take water or electricity.
How to find beach camping
We use a few apps to find beach camping, depending on where we’re visiting:
- In Baja, Mexico the most dependable is iOverlander (BUT if you’re looking for recommendations, here are our favorite beaches for RVing in Baja)
- In Canada and the US, we use a combination of iOverlander and Campendium to find free and public camping locations.
- In particular areas (like https://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/ in British Columbia, Canada), specific sites are most helpful for those areas.
Always check for local regulations and don’t ignore any warning signs. If there’s a private property sign in a space you thought was public, assume you’re wrong. If there’s an area that says “No Camping” then take it seriously or you might get a middle-of-the-night wakeup knock and have to leave.
Here’s our guide to finding free camping in Canada and the US (not just on beaches!)
Trust your gut. If something feels off with the people around you (especially if you’re traveling as a family) then keep moving.
Always arrive with plenty of time before sunset
Don’t plan to arrive at a free wild camping site after sunset. We’ve driven over our share of rocks, speedbumps, and firepits to know that this is a bad idea. Depending on how remote you are, the area may not be lit, and you’re trying to figure out where to park based on just your narrow headlights.
If you get somewhere and your gut tells you not to stay you don’t want to be leaving and trying to figure out where to go instead in the dark. For campgrounds where we have a reservation, we’re fine with arriving later in the afternoon, but for boondocking on public land, we’re always aiming to get there at least a few hours before sunset.
Prepare your checklist for plenty of beach camping
Make a game of beach camping: How long can you stay?
If you’re in a beach campground with hookuops, then you can stay indefinitely, but when we’re dry camping on the beach for free (without electricity, water, or sewer connections), then we make a game with our boys to see how long we can stretch our water, tanks, and electricity.
Not only do we love the sound of the waves, the sand in our toes, and plenty of sunshine to keep our solar panels going, but you really can’t beat being walking distance to the water’s edge, amazing sunrises and sunsets, and like-minded people you meet while camping off-grid on the beach.
Common questions about preparing your RV for Beach Camping:
How should I prepare my RV tires for driving on the sand?
It’s important to check your tire pressure before heading onto the sand. Lowering the tire pressure slightly can increase traction and help prevent getting stuck. Always ensure your tires are in good condition.
What precautions should I take to protect my RV from saltwater damage?
Rinse off your RV (and tow vehicle) with fresh water after staying near the beach to remove salt residue. Use protective waxes and sealants to protect the exterior from salt corrosion and regularly check for signs of rust.
Are there specific tools or equipment I should bring for beach camping?
Bring recovery gear like sand mats or traction boards, a portable air compressor (for tire adjustments), and tools like shovels in case you need to dig out.
How to handle waste disposal while camping on the beach?
Research the beach camping area for waste disposal facilities. Many campgrounds offer specific sites for waste disposal. Always plan to pack out what you pack in if services are not available.
What kind of maintenance is needed for the RV after a beach trip?
Post-trip, thoroughly clean the RV’s undercarriage, wheel wells, and external parts with fresh water. Inspect and repair any damage or rusting caused by sand or salt exposure.
How can I ensure a stable and level setup on sandy surfaces?
Consider using wide leveling blocks designed for sand to help distribute the RV’s weight more evenly and prevent sinking. Check your setup regularly as the sand may shift over time.
What additional supplies should I consider for beach-specific conditions?
Sunscreen, insect repellent, breathable clothing, shade structures, and plenty of fresh water are essential for comfort and safety during a beach camping trip.
While there is plenty of preparation that can go into planning your trip to RV on the beach, stay flexible if you’ve missed something or if conditions aren’t quite perfect (like a VERY windy day we had recently on the beach) and enjoy the amazing opportunity to be right there next to the water.
If you’re heading to Baja, here are some of the best beaches for RVing in Baja!
